Many people want a tattoo as a form of self-expression or to decorate their skin.
Other people want their tattoo artist to help cover up changes to their skin that have happened over time.
One of the most common questions we get at Zapp Laser Studio is – can you tattoo over skin pigmentation?
The answer to this is not always a simple yes or no.
There are many factors that come into play that will decide whether getting a tattoo is right for you.
This includes the type of pigmentation issue you have, the health of your skin tissue, and how your skin may respond to the tattooing process.
It is a little challenging to figure out on your own.
That is, we are here to break down the different types of skin pigmentation, if you can tattoo over pigmented skin, and the treatment options you might want to consider first.
If you would prefer to speak to one of our laser and skin treatment specialists in-person, get in touch below for an initial consultation.
What is skin pigmentation?
When we talk about pigmentation, what we are referring to is the colour of your skin.
Your skin tone and colour is determined by the amount of melanin you have, which is your skin’s natural pigment.
Skin conditions, medication, injuries, or sun exposure can lead to changes in the pigment of your skin.
For some this means lighter patches of skin forming, whereas others may see dark or brown spots develop.
Here are the most common types of pigmentation issues and how they influence whether you can tattoo over them.
Hyperpigmentation
What is hyperpigmentation?
This is when your skin produces excess or too much melanin, which leads to dark patches of skin.
This can be the result of acne scars, changes in hormones, sun damage, or even medication.
Is it safe to tattoo over it?
In some cases, it is possible to tattoo over hyperpigmentation, but it is not always ideal.
The results of your tattoo will depend on your specific skin condition.
If you have darker patches of skin in the treatment area, the colours of the tattoo may not appear the same or colour match.
This can make the tattoo look muddy or mismatched.
If you go down this route, you would be best to have medical tattooing or micropigmentation treatment to help cover up or camouflage the area so that it matches your natural skin tone.
The better option
Before getting a tattoo, you want to consider having a treatment to lighten the hyperpigmentation.
This might include laser treatment or medical micro-needling to provide your tattoo artist with a more even and clear canvas to work on.
Remember, the healing process is important here.
Your skin needs to be in a strong and healthy position before having any tattoo ink and needle enter your skin.
Hypopigmentation
What is hypopigmentation?
This is the opposite of hyperpigmentation, as it involves the skin losing pigment and becoming lighter than the surrounding skin.
There are a number of reasons why this might happen, including certain skin conditions (such as vitiligo) or it can be the result of inflammation or injury.
Is it safe to tattoo over it?
It is possible, but it presents a lot of challenges.
The lighter parts of the skin may absorb the ink colours differently than your normal skin tone.
This can result in a visible difference in the tattoo.
It will require an experienced tattoo artist using medical tattooing to create a camouflage tattoo that blends in with your natural skin tone.
Even with this, the colour of the tattoo may not match perfectly with the surrounding skin.
The better option
We would advise you to treat the hypopigmentation before having a tattoo.
This can include a mix of laser treatment and topical medications.
Depending on your specific condition, you may also benefit from chemical peels and micro-needling.
The point of these treatment options is to help to stimulate the skin’s natural healing process and even the distribution of melanin.
Post-Inflammatory Pigmentation (PIP)
What is Post-Inflammatory Pigmentation (PIP)?
This occurs due to your skin’s natural response to injury such as acne, cuts, burns, or even using the wrong laser treatment for your skin type.
It presents itself as dark or discoloured spots on the skin, which form as part of the healing process.
Is it safe to tattoo over it?
Technically, you should be able to tattoo over PIP.
But there are several factors you need to think about first.
Your first step is to ensure your skin is healed completely.
If your skin is still in the recovery stage, getting a tattoo can make the inflammation worse or lead to more scar tissue forming.
You should also find a tattoo artist who specialises in medical tattooing or in scar camouflage tattoos.
This is when they have experience in matching with skin tone pigments to ensure the PIP blends in with your natural skin tone.
The better option
On top of letting your skin fully heal, you should also consider treating your Post-Inflammatory Pigmentation.
This may include laser treatments such as PicoSure Focus, which helps to stimulate your body’s natural production of collagen and elastin.
Stretch Marks
What are stretch marks?
These are irregular lines or streaks on the skin that develop as the skin stretches too quickly. This is often the result of rapid weight gain or weight loss, pregnancy or sudden growth spurts.
Is it safe to tattoo over it?
Yes, it is possible to tattoo over stretch marks.
But first, you will need to give them time to fully mature and heal, so that their colour is more stable.
You will need an experienced tattoo artist to do this.
The change in skin texture from the stretch marks can change how the tattoo ink absorbs.
The tattoo process itself can also be more sensitive.
The better option
Treat and reduce the appearance of stretch marks first with treatments that work on building collagen in the dermal layer of the skin.
This will provide you with a more smooth skin texture and allow the new tattoo ink to adhere more to your skin.
This may include SkinPen microneedling or PicoSure Focus.
Pigmentation from skin grafts or post skin cancer
What is this?
People who have had skin grafts or post-skin cancer treatments can often be left with areas of the skin that are uneven in texture and tone. You may also be left with visible scars.
Is it safe to tattoo over it?
You can, but you need to take extreme caution.
Medical tattooing or camouflage tattoos may be an option once the skin has healed fully.
With a skin graft you should wait at least two years before having a tattoo.
For post-skin cancer, we would advise you not to have a tattoo over the same area.
This is because the cancer scar will need to be monitored by doctors for any potential recurrence of cancer.
Further down the line, it may be possible to have medical tattooing, but you should always consult with a medical professional first.
The better option
Again, healing is the most important part of a skin graft and any post-cancer treatments.
We can help reduce the appearance of any scars with laser therapy or microneedling.
They might not be completely removed, but these treatments can help lighten and flatten them.
Zapp Laser Studio treatment options for skin pigmentation
At Zapp Laser Studio, we offer much more than laser tattoo removal.
In fact, we provide several advanced treatment options to help tackle and reduce pigmentation issues.
PicoSure Zoom
This laser treatment uses PressureWave technology to target unwanted pigment spots and remove them.
It does this by working within the dermal layer of the skin and without damaging any healthy surrounding skin.
Most clients only need one treatment session to see great results.
However, if your dark spots are larger or more dense, you may need a course of treatment to achieve a more balanced skin tone
PicoSure Focus
The PicoSure Focus works by using a Focus Lens Array to send ultra-short bursts of laser energy into targeted areas of the skin.
This kick-starts your body’s natural trauma response, which causes it to produce collagen and elastin in the skin.
This leads to pigment particles breaking up, which your body removes naturally over time.
SkinPen Microneedling
SkinPen microneedling uses a device that has tiny needles that penetrate the skin to create microchannels.
This action stimulates your body’s natural healing process and stimulates collagen and elastin production.
This treatment is an ideal option for reducing stretch marks, scar tissue and smoothing out your skin texture.
Talk to us about your skin conditions before getting a tattoo
You can get a tattoo over your skin pigmentation, but it is not always the best option for you.
That is why you should start by talking to one of our skin and laser experts who can assess your skin condition and your pigmentation issues.
For most people, allowing the skin to heal and prepping it correctly for a tattoo will ensure you get the best results.
We can run you through each procedure we offer for skin pigmentation reduction, so that you can make the decision that is right for you.
We tailor your treatment to your specific skin needs and goals.
Let us help you boost your self-confidence and support you in ensuring your skin is ready to be a good canvas for a tattoo.