CAN A TATTOO ARTIST ADD LIGHTER COLORS SUCH AS AQUA OR YELLOW TO A
TATTOO THAT IS ALREADY DARK BLUE? IF SO, WILL THE DARK BLUE STILL SHOW
THROUGH THE LIGHTER COLORS OR NOT?

Hello, 

I am responding to your question regarding whether or not a tattoo
artist can apply a lighter color ink over a darker ink. It does not
seem possible to cover a darker tattoo with lighter ink. So the answer
to your question is no. However just in case this idea appeals to you,
I included some information on blacklight tattoos. This photo shows an
older dark tattoo reworked with the UV ink which appears a light to
medium blue. It shows up in the dark.
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Advice from Painless Ric's Tattoo:

http://www.painlessric.com/main/faq/index.shtml

See the link to this question:

Q: "Can I get old work covered, reworked or even removed?"
A: "Sure! Every tattoo, old or not, can be covered with something else. 
The only problem is to cover a tattoo that is already really dark,
because the artist can't use a lighter color to go over it. If you
really decide you want to remove a tattoo, there is always the
possibility of a laser treatment. Painless Ric's has been specializing
in coverup work for over 30 years!"

Or use this direct link:

http://www.painlessric.com/main/faq/index.shtml#Q.:%20Can%20I%20get%20old%20work%20covered%20or

---------------------------------------------------
Information from Seppuka Tattoo:

"A cover up usually involves going larger than the original tattoo.
Tattoo ink is not opaque, it tends to be somewhat translucent, which
is why you can?t simply tattoo skin colored ink over an old tattoo,
the darker colors will overpower the lighter ones. So in order to
completely hide an older design, using some new skin and using a
bigger piece is required."

http://www.seppukutattoo.com/aftercare.html
  
--------------------------------------------------------

This site shows the UV blacklight tattoos:

"New life to the ol tattoo."

http://www.tattooartists.org/Gal8419_New_life_to_the_ol_tattoo..asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
But UV tattoos can cause problems:

"Statistically, there have been more reactions with UV tattoos than
with normal tattoos," Fox said. "Sometimes the inks don't mix as well,
and your body reacts against the foreign agents"

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/healthscience/atoz/article_1088009.php

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope this is helpful. jdb-ga