Botched Cosmetic Tattoos can be a little bit of a minefield for both artists and clients alike. And there are certain things to consider when faced with this type of situation;
- the clients emotional journey to date and,
- whether a positive outcome can be realistically achieved for them.
By the time someone has come to me to seek help or advice about their offending cosmetic tattoo, they have already been on quite the emotional journey.
As we know, we attach quite a bit of emotion to the way we look. It has a direct link to the way we feel about ourselves. Now imagine how you would feel if someone got a big black permanent marker and drew on a penis on your face (I think about those adolescent frat movies and public humiliation). This sounds like an extreme analogy, but it’s not. It's horrifying all the same.
You would feel embarrassed, angry, outraged…. sad and frustrated…. And sometimes a state of defeat or resolve when you accept that this hideous modification has been made to your appearance. And if those initial emotions aren’t bad enough, you’ve got the constant reminder of these feelings every time you look in the mirror.
It’s not fair that this happened. It should not have happened.
I see this way too often. These emotions in those poor souls who “trusted a professional” and received a less than SUB-standard treatment. I’m not talking about common problems like accelerated fading, or a slight imbalance of shape. But the real injustices in our industry, like brows with multiple tails, or brows tattooed way outside the natural brow; brows tattooed with black ink; Lips tattooed way outside the natural vermillion border; eyeliner tattoos that have been applied too thick and migrated around the corners of the eyes and into the glands.
I would like to say, for those who have received a botched cosmetic tattoo (like the above mentioned), it was NOT your fault. But the fault of the person who claimed to be a professional. They failed you.
As an experienced industry professional and educator, there really is only one way to proceed with these cases; and that is with HONESTY and transparency.
I actually don’t care who did the offending cosmetic tattoo. It really is none of my business. I only care about the here and now, and whether I can help or not.
And considering the emotional journey thus far, I always proceed with caution and explore three different treatment options with the client.
- Leaving the offending tattoo alone and hoping it will continue to fade.
This is an option that always needs to be explored. Some clients will just want to hear some advice and options, and for whatever reason, may not be ready to take action. They may not be ready to trust another professional quite yet. And that’s okay. Corrections and removals are never a quick fix, and it’s important for the client and the artist to be on exactly the same page before any treatment plan is determined. This is also an option I explore when I feel there are unrealistic expectations involved.
- Removing the offending cosmetic tattoo.
This is an ideal option for those cosmetic tattoos that are too bold, too dark, too big, too saturated. That pigment just needs to COME OUT. This option always involves multiple treatments spread out over quite a few months. And while there is no guarantee of 100% removal, you will continue to see the offending cosmetic tattoo fade over the treatments. Usually if this option is explored on a newer tattoo, the better the outcome achieved.
- Shape and/or Colour Correcting.
If this is the option chosen by the client, it is so important to be honest and transparent about what can be achieved and what the client can expect throughout the process. Again, this is never a quick fix, as correcting over the top doesn’t magically make the old tattoo disappear. It is still there, lurking underneath. So knowing exactly how the new application will work against the old, and taking a very strategic approach to achieve the best possible outcome.
It all sounds quite complicated, yeah? Corrections and Removals are messy business. It’s messy with emotions, and it’s messy with all the variables to consider when choosing an appropriate treatment plan. The offending cosmetic tattoo may have been applied in one foul treatment, but it will take multiple treatments to try and rectify it.
Honesty is key. Honesty about the outcome that is achievable, what’s involved in getting there, and how long you expect this to take. Cosmetic Tattoo Corrections and Removals are journey in and of itself, and when trust is established and a professional and strategic approach is taken, a good correction/removal really can have a positive impact the emotional wellbeing of the client.
On the note of honesty; if you feel, as an artist/practitioner that you cannot improve the situation, that it outside of your skillset... it is okay to say NO. This is where referring on to an experience artist should take place.
Some artists excel in corrections. Some don't. It's a whole different, advanced skill set that involves a deep level of knowledge regarding the skin, how old ink/pigment behaves in the skin as it ages, advanced colour correction (not just green over red equals neutralisation... there is more to colour theory than the obvious!), and a deep understanding of depth and perception relating to tattoos.
It is our Duty Of Care as a professional to Do No Harm.
And I think the industry as a whole needs to keep this in mind when we are dealing with clients faces and their emotions.
Peace, Love and Light!