A-ONE LASER & AESTHETIC CLINIC · SOMERVILLE MA
Tattoo Fading for Cover-Ups with PicoWay®
Lighten Your Existing Tattoo. Create More Possibilities for Your New Design.
You don't always need complete tattoo removal to create something new.
PicoWay® laser tattoo fading can reduce the visibility and density of unwanted ink, giving your tattoo artist a cleaner canvas and more flexibility when designing a cover-up.
Whether you want to fade an entire tattoo, lighten specific areas, or remove certain details that no longer fit your vision, A-One Laser & Aesthetic Clinic creates a personalized treatment plan based on your tattoo, skin type, and cover-up goals.
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FDA- Cleared PicoWay Technology
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State-Board Licensed Specialists
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Effective on black, blue & green ink
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Free consultation
WHY FADE INSTEAD OF FULLY REMOVE
Why Fade a Tattoo Before a Cover-Up?
A Lighter Tattoo Gives Your Artist More Creative Freedom
A successful cover-up depends on many factors, including the existing tattoo's darkness, size, colors, and placement.
Laser tattoo fading can help reduce unwanted pigment and may allow your tattoo artist more flexibility with the new design.
More Options for Your New Tattoo
Dark, dense, or heavily saturated tattoos can limit cover-up possibilities. Lightening the existing ink may allow more freedom with colors, details, and placement.
A Customized Approach
Not every cover-up requires the same amount of fading. Some tattoos need significant lightening, while others may only need certain areas reduced.
Your treatment plan is based on what your tattoo artist needs—not simply removing as much ink as possible.
A Customized Approach
Not every cover-up requires the same amount of fading. Some tattoos need significant lightening, while others may only need certain areas reduced.
Your treatment plan is based on what your tattoo artist needs—not simply removing as much ink as possible.
Stop When You Reach Your Goal
Unlike complete tattoo removal, cover-up fading has a different endpoint. The goal is usually to reach the appropriate level of fading that allows your artist to create the new tattoo design.
A-ONE LASER & AESTHETIC CLINIC · SOMERVILLE MA
Tattoo Fading for Cover-Ups with PicoWay®
Lighten Your Existing Tattoo. Create More Possibilities for Your New Design.
You don't always need complete tattoo removal to create something new.
PicoWay® laser tattoo fading can reduce the visibility and density of unwanted ink, giving your tattoo artist a cleaner canvas and more flexibility when designing a cover-up.
Whether you want to fade an entire tattoo, lighten specific areas, or remove certain details that no longer fit your vision, A-One Laser & Aesthetic Clinic creates a personalized treatment plan based on your tattoo, skin type, and cover-up goals.
-
FDA- Cleared PicoWay Technology
-
State-Board Licensed Specialists
-
Effective on black, blue & green ink
-
Free consultation
WHY FADE INSTEAD OF FULLY REMOVE
Why Fade a Tattoo Before a Cover-Up?
A Lighter Tattoo Gives Your Artist More Creative Freedom
A successful cover-up depends on many factors, including the existing tattoo's darkness, size, colors, and placement.
Laser tattoo fading can help reduce unwanted pigment and may allow your tattoo artist more flexibility with the new design.
More Options for Your New Tattoo
Dark, dense, or heavily saturated tattoos can limit cover-up possibilities. Lightening the existing ink may allow more freedom with colors, details, and placement.
A Customized Approach
Not every cover-up requires the same amount of fading. Some tattoos need significant lightening, while others may only need certain areas reduced.
Your treatment plan is based on what your tattoo artist needs—not simply removing as much ink as possible.
A Customized Approach
Not every cover-up requires the same amount of fading. Some tattoos need significant lightening, while others may only need certain areas reduced.
Your treatment plan is based on what your tattoo artist needs—not simply removing as much ink as possible.
Stop When You Reach Your Goal
Unlike complete tattoo removal, cover-up fading has a different endpoint. The goal is usually to reach the appropriate level of fading that allows your artist to create the new tattoo design.
TATTOO FADING OPTIONS
Full fading, Partial fading, or Selective removal
Every cover-up project is different. During your consultation, we evaluate your tattoo and discuss the best approach based on your future design.
Full Tattoo Fading
The entire tattoo is treated to reduce overall darkness and visibility.
This approach may be helpful when the new tattoo will cover most or all of the existing design.
Partial Tattoo Fading
Only certain areas of the tattoo are treated.
This may be useful when specific colors, lines, or darker sections interfere with the planned cover-up.
Selective Tattoo Removal
Sometimes only one part of a tattoo needs to be removed.
Examples include:
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A name
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A symbol
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A specific word
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A small section that does not work with the new design
Selective treatment can help preserve parts of the original tattoo while changing the areas that no longer fit your goals.
Planning Your Cover-Up Starts With Communication
Work With Your Tattoo Artist and Laser Provider
The best fading plans are created with the final tattoo design in mind.
If you already have a tattoo artist or cover-up concept, bring that information to your consultation.
Already Have a New Design?
Bring your artist's sketch, recommendations, or placement ideas. This helps us understand which areas may need additional fading.
Haven't Picked an Artist Yet?
That's fine too. We'll fade conservatively and check in as you go, so you're not over- or under-treating before a design is locked in. Many clients start fading before they've finalized their cover-up concept.
THE PROCESS
Your Laser Tattoo Removal Journey at A-ONE LASER
01 — Free Tattoo Fading Consultation
We evaluate your tattoo's:
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Ink colors, Density, Size, Location
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Skin type, Previous treatments
We also discuss your cover-up goals and what level of fading may be helpful.
03 — PicoWay® Laser Treatment Sessions
PicoWay® uses ultra-short picosecond laser pulses to target tattoo pigment and break it into smaller particles.
Your body then gradually processes portions of the fragmented pigment between treatments.
02 — Personalized Fading Plan
Your treatment plan is designed around your desired outcome.
The goal is not always complete removal—it is achieving the right level of fading for your new tattoo.
04 — Progress Evaluation
We monitor how your tattoo responds and adjust your plan as needed.
The goal is to achieve meaningful fading while allowing your skin adequate time to heal.
05 — Ready for Your Cover-Up
Once your skin has fully healed and the desired level of fading has been achieved, you can move forward with your new tattoo design.
CANDELA PICOWAY LASER TECHNOLOGY
How Do PicoWay® Laser Works?
PicoWay® uses ultra-short picosecond laser pulses to target tattoo pigment beneath the skin. The rapid energy creates a photoacoustic effect that breaks the ink into smaller particles while limiting unnecessary heat exposure to surrounding tissue. Over the following weeks, your body gradually processes and clears portions of the fragmented pigment, allowing the tattoo to progressively fade with each treatment.
Powerful Technology. Surprisingly Simple Concept.
01 — TARGET
The Correct Wavelength Focuses on the Ink.
We select the appropriate PicoWay® wavelength and treatment settings based on your tattoo colors, ink density, skin type, and treatment goals.
02 — PULSE
Pigment Absorbs Picosecond Energy
PicoWay utilizes ultra-short laser pulses, measured in trillionths of a, to target tattoo pigment effectively while minimizing heat exposure to the surrounding tissue.
03 — FRAGMENT
Tattoo ink is broken down into smaller particles.
The quick energy generates a powerful photoacoustic effect that breaks down the targeted tattoo ink into significantly smaller particles.
04 — CLEAR
Your Body Continues the Process
In the coming weeks, your body will naturally eliminate broken-down pigment, allowing the tattoo to gradually fade with ongoing treatments and healing.
Laser starts the process. Your body continues it.
YOUR TATTOO REMOVAL GOAL
Complete Tattoo Removal or Fading for a Cover-Up?
Laser tattoo removal doesn’t always mean removing every visible trace of a tattoo. Some clients want complete tattoo removal, while others simply want to fade an existing tattoo enough to give their tattoo artist more flexibility for a cover-up. Your treatment plan can be tailored around the result you’re trying to achieve.
Choose Complete Tattoo Removal If:
Your goal is to remove as much of the existing tattoo as possible and you do not plan to place new artwork over the area. Treatment continues progressively based on how the individual ink colors respond and how your skin heals between sessions.
Choose Tattoo Fading for a Cover-Up If:
ou’re planning a new tattoo in the same area and your tattoo artist wants the existing design lighter before beginning the cover-up. Rather than pursuing maximum clearance, laser treatments can selectively fade the old tattoo to create a better canvas for new artwork.
PRICING & PACKAGES
Transparent Pricing, No Uncertainty
Free Consultation
Get Measured, Get a Quote
We assess your tattoo in person and provide you with accurate price based on its size and intricacy — no guessing, no inflated estimates.
Pay Per Session
Flexible, As You Go
Perfect for those looking to fade a tattoo for a cover-up, assess their skin's reaction, or prefer to pay for treatments individually.
Session Packages
Plan the Full Removal
Clients seeking complete removal may find that bundled packages provide greater value for the multiple sessions typically needed for tattoo removal.
Tattoo pricing varies based on the size, ink density, colors, and placement of your design. Since each tattoo is unique, every quote is tailored to you. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, and we’ll provide you with a precise price before you make any commitments.
Tattoo Removal Questions Answered
Complete Tattoo Removal FAQs
How many sessions are needed for tattoo fading before a cover-up?
The number of sessions varies depending on the tattoo's color, density, depth, size, location, and how much fading your tattoo artist needs.
A consultation allows us to evaluate your tattoo and provide a realistic treatment plan.
Do I need complete tattoo removal before a cover-up?
No. Many cover-ups only require enough fading to create a better foundation for new artwork.
The goal is not always complete clearance—it is creating the right canvas for your next tattoo.
Can colored tattoos be faded for cover-ups?
Yes, many colored tattoos can be treated, but different pigments respond differently to laser wavelengths.
PicoWay® technology allows treatment planning based on the specific colors present in your tattoo.
Removing an eyebrow tattoo, microblading, or scalp pigmentation instead? These use different pigments and need a different approach than body tattoos — see our dedicated pages:
Tattoo Fading for Cover-Ups in Somerville & Greater Boston
At A-One Laser & Aesthetic Clinic in Somerville, Massachusetts, we provide personalized PicoWay® laser tattoo fading and removal treatments for clients who want to prepare an existing tattoo for a new design.
We evaluate your tattoo's colors, density, location, skin type, and your cover-up goals to create a treatment plan designed around your desired outcome.
Whether you need full tattoo fading, partial fading, selective tattoo removal, or complete tattoo removal, our goal is to provide honest guidance and realistic expectations throughout your tattoo transformation journey.
Serving Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, Arlington, Everett, Malden, Boston, and surrounding Greater Boston communities.
Why Choose A-One Laser Clinic for Tattoo Fading?
✓ Candela PicoWay® Picosecond Laser Technology
✓ Personalized Tattoo Assessment
✓ Cover-Up Fading & Complete Removal Options
✓ Treatment Based on Your Goals
✓ Free Consultation
Removing a tattoo as part of your transition? A-One Laser & Aesthetic Clinic also offers gender-affirming laser hair removal and electrolysis, with personalized treatment plans centered on your individual goals, privacy, and comfort in a respectful, judgment-free environment.