Fade Fast Tattoo Removal does things a little differently. A stark contrast to the all-white clinical feel of your average tattoo removal shop, locally-owned and operated Fade Fast has a hip, artistic vibe. Founder Allen Falkner celebrates tattoo art and, in fact, is covered in tattoos himself. Clients drawn to the shop embrace the fact that tattoos they get in their teens or early adult life may not appeal to them in the future, but merely want to remove certain parts of their artwork or open up space for a brand new tattoo.
As a tattoo enthusiast himself for over 30 years, Falkner is hosting a pop-up tattoo artist gallery at the shop to celebrate ink, rather than shame it, this Friday, April 1 through Sunday, April from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Numerous local artists’ work will be on display, including art by Dru Bias, Caleb Barnard, and Ejay Bernal. Fade Fast is located at 2928 Main Street, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75226.
“With the 22nd annual Deep Ellum Arts Festival at our front door, we thought this weekend would be a perfect opportunity to spotlight local artistic talent in the Deep Ellum area,” stated Falkner of the initial idea. “Fade Fast was founded on the idea that there are people out there who seek tattoo removal and don’t necessarily hate tattoos, but are unhappy with what they currently have. We have very strong ties to local tattoo shops because of this. Most people don’t realize that tattooist’s artistic abilities go well beyond the canvas of skin. Our gallery in a sense is our way of showing support and giving back to the tattoo community.”
Falkner started his journey with tattoos over 30 years ago. His first tattoo, which was homemade with safety pin and Pelican ink in 1985, hooked him for life. Now, his body is covered 75 percent by ink, and he’s still not done. After opening his first tattoo and body piercing shop in 1992, Falkner founded Fade Fast in 2007. Falkner was satisfied with his career transition, and then he decided to not only work on removing tattoos completely, but also lightening them for later cover-up with another tattoo. With his extensive knowledge about the business and his experiences, he came with an idea of working together with various local artists on lighting, reworking and covering up the old tattoos with new ones. Falkner himself had gone through numerous removal treatments, but for him is an always-ongoing process.
Falkner has chosen several talented tattooists to be featured at the pop-up shop this April. Artist Dru Bias has been tattooing for over 15 years and got his start in Long Island, New York after attending the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan and working as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator. Now a tattoo shop owner himself at Allegiance Tattoo in The Colony, Bias’ art can be described as Japanese and Tibetan with a mix of American Traditional. Inspired by Japanese artists such as Kuniyosh, Kyosai, Hokusai, Ed Hardy, and Mike Malone, he works primarily in watercolor and liquid acrylic. Also from New York, artist Caleb Barnard has been tattooing for 17 years and drawing all his life. Barnard and his partner Marie Sena now own Oak Cliff-based tattoo shop Electric Eye. Working in watercolor, along with liquid and standard acrylics, Barnard’s influences include Richard Stell, Ernst Fuchs, andFred Stonehouse. With deep roots in Dallas, local tattooist Ejay Bernal has seven years of experience under his belt. Currently an apprentice under Nick Ley at Saints and Sinners Dallas, Bernal works mostly in black and grey with an emphasis on stippling and pattern work and looks up to artists such as painter Caravaggio, Thomas Hooper and, of course, his mentor Nick Ley.
Laser tattoo removal, the non-invasive removal of tattoo pigments using lasers, requires repeat visits. Tattoo removal lasers, capable of emitting energy within the given absorption spectrum of the pigment in each tattoo, can remove a significant amount, if not all, of the original ink. The science of laser tattoo removal involves delivering energy into your skin, which is absorbed by the ink, causing it to fracture into smaller particles that are then carried off by your body’s lymphatic system. The art behind the process is more complex, due to the fact that there are numerous factors to take into account. Those who understand tattoo art, like Falkner, are more familiar with ink colors, skin types, healing techniques, different types of lasers, and pain management techniques.
