top of page

011- 46125604

+91-9212732756

Book an Appointment
Tatto Gallery
Get Direction

What to Do If Your Portrait Tattoo Doesn’t Turn Out as Expected

Updated: Oct 24


 What to Do if Your Portrait Tattoo Needs Corrections or Fixes

Well, it finally happened, and you got that dream portrait tattoo you’ve always wanted, right? You have possibly dedicated several weeks (or even months) scouting the right portrait tattoo artist, picturing how your dear one, a favourite actor/actress, or even your pet would look like tattooed on your skin. So what do you do when it is not as you planned? Perhaps the features are too similar, the colouring is not correct, or something is not right when one gazes into the mirror. 


This can be a very frustrating moment. After all, one gets a tattoo forever, and having a portrait on one’s body that does not fit one’s desire is rather stressful. Realise that frustration is okay, but before it turns into a spiral, just take a deep breath.  


If you are a tattoo lover or planning for a tattoo, this post will guide you on what to do if your portrait tattoo is not as expected. 


1. Take a Moment to Assess the Situation

The first thing to do always when faced with any problem is to try and analyse the problem or situation. Many individuals may express some sort of emotion if the tattoo does not come out as they had pictured in their minds after the tattoo is completed. But it’s important to have a break and finalise everything. This is true for all kinds of tattoos, but most prominently for portrait tattoos as they show a distinct look when they are fresh. It is what you see as redness and swollen skin, the first layer of tattoo that takes time to heal fully.


Do not judge a tattoo finished before waiting for it to heal, which takes between two and four weeks. Sometimes, optimism wears off with time, or even when the ink dries and the lines become clearer. But if it still feels wrong after the tattoo has healed, it is high time for the next decision.


2. Have an Honest Conversation with Your Tattoo Artist

When you have ensured the tattoo has healed well, then consider going back to your tattoo artist. Remember that the artist desires you to be satisfied with their creation—ordinary artists have a lot of self-esteem in their artwork. As for the tone of the conversation, it is better to stay as polite and composed as possible. Instead of saying such things or pointing at them and telling them they are doing a bad job, tell them you have a problem with the tattoo. Is it the likeness? The shading? A particular feature that turned out to be slightly different than imagined?


A good tattoo artist will appreciate your input, and they can even refund you or agree to fix the tattoo should the need arise. Sometimes, even minor modifications are enough, mostly concerning shading and such, which can mean quite a bit. If you can see that the artist failed to deliver what you wanted, then it is wise that you look for a new artist and ask for changes. But always give your original artist the first shot at it—they’ll be familiar with the tattoo.


3. Consider a Touch-Up or Adjustment

Most tattoo problems can be solved with simple revisions or minor changes. Most mistakes, whether lightening or darkening some parts, refining lines or adding more details, can be fixed. This is the simplest and cheapest solution, especially if your tattoo artist is willing to do the touch-up for you.


However, if your artist is not ready to make changes (or if you no longer trust them), you can ask for a second opinion. Search for someone with specialisation in what you want corrected. This is especially true if the tattoo is a portrait, which needs a special touch. The experts in this kind of tattooing can add something to the design or accent the main features that may be not visible but are important for the general look of the portrait.


4. Explore Cover-Up Options

Even if the tattoo does not fully meet your expectations, or you are not satisfied with the changes made, and the tattoo still looks bad, it is possible to seek help with a cover-up. Now, this does not mean that you will require a new tattoo that is not related to the portrait, at all. At times, competent artists can trace the current design and integrate it with a new one enhancing it. 


Hiding things are works of art in themselves, so ensure that you find someone who is an expert in them. The artist will need to do a lot of planning to successfully blend the old design into the new one and still retain considerable detail. It is important to note that while concealing can enhance a tattoo considerably, it might have to be done in several sessions and could alter the initial design of the portrait.


5. Laser Tattoo Removal as a Last Resort

But if all else fails, laser tattoo removal may be an option for you. That might sound extreme to some, but modern technology has made laser tattoo removal safer and more effective than before. Laser removal works by heating the ink particles beneath the skin’s surface, and the body then carries off the particles.


However, tattoo removal can be expensive and uncomfortable, and it may take multiple sessions, especially for darker or more complex images like portraits. Some individuals decide to fade the tattoo with lasers and then get a cover-up done when it is less visible. This way, the new artist starts with a blank slate, which often has the potential to be best.


Learn from the Experience

Last of all, this is something that you can learn from. This is why it is important to do your research before you get any tattoo. As much as possible, dedicate your time to researching various artists and their bodies of work before making a decision. Spend time reading the feedback left by their previous customers, ask for references, and do not skip the portfolio and look through it in detail. This is even more so with portraits due to their nature, which demands more skills and precision. 


Are you thinking of having a new portrait tattoo, or even better, going back to transform your current one? Then here is your lucky day: You should consider getting yourself inked by the best portrait tattoo artist in India. As much as it is essential to get a reputation and/or skill, you need someone you trust with your body art and feel comfortable with your tattoo in the long run.


If you’re ready to bring your vision to life, contact Manjeet Tattooz today to book your consultation!


13 views0 comments

Comments


whatsapp Logo

whatsapp us

application_14313535.png
bottom of page