He suggests contacting a local hospital, the American Society for Laser Medicine, or the American Society for Dermatological Surgery for referrals. The new tattoo is usually larger than the tattoo it is replacing, incorporating and hiding the previous tattoo in new contours and colors. Tattoos can also be covered with a special waterproof makeup foundation, according to cosmetologist Maurice Stein, founder of Cinema Secrets, a Burbank, Calif.-based supplier to cosmetologists and medical facilities. Originally developed for use by burn victims and people with skin discolorations, the foundation is also used by people who feel their tattoos are inappropriate in certain situations. The typical scenario is a woman with a tattoo on her bust line who wears a low-cut dress at a church wedding or other conservative setting.
Men also use the foundation.
Many men who got tattoos during the service are in a similar situation. The foundation allows them to feel more comfortable in public. Contracting blood-borne illnesses such as hepatitis B or human immunodeficiency virus, which leads to AIDS, is a frequent worry of those considering getting tattooed. Temporary inflammation around the tattoo is common for the first day or so. As part of the healing process, the skin that is tattooed crusts slightly and peels within the first week after application.