Don't let old ink dictate your new art. If a tattoo is too dark, too dense, or the wrong colour to be safely covered, laser fading lightens it just enough to give your artist a clean, workable canvas — without the time or cost of full removal.
Fading vs. Full Removal
Preparing a tattoo for a cover-up isn't the same as removing it completely. The goal isn't to erase every trace of the old design — it's to lighten it enough that your new tattoo's lines and colours can sit cleanly on top, without the old ink showing through or muddying the new artwork.
Because we're aiming for partial fading rather than full clearance, cover-up preparation typically needs fewer sessions than complete removal — most clients need somewhere in the region of 3–5 sessions, though this depends on your tattoo's age, ink density and colour.
Working With Your Tattoo Artist
How much fading you need depends on your new design — a bold black-and-grey cover-up can sit over more residual ink than a bright, detailed colour piece. We'd recommend speaking to your tattoo artist early on, ideally before you start your fading sessions, so you know roughly what they'll need to work with.
Bring a photo of your planned cover-up design to your free consultation — it helps us plan realistic, targeted sessions rather than guessing.
Timeline & Healing
Sessions are spaced several weeks apart to let your skin fully heal and your body clear each round of broken-down ink. Once your fading course is complete, your skin will need time to recover fully before it's ready for new tattooing — we generally recommend waiting 6–8 weeks after your final session before booking your cover-up appointment, to make sure the area is properly healed and ready to take new ink well.
Planning a cover-up?
Book a free consultation and we'll assess your tattoo and build a realistic fading plan around your new design.