Two kinds of cover work
This section is about tattooing over something that is already on your skin: an old tattoo you no longer like, or a scar.
- Covering an old tattoo. Cover-up and scar tattoos explains how artists plan a cover-up, when a few laser sessions to lighten the old ink help, and what result to expect.
- Tattooing over a scar. Tattoos over scars covers which scars take ink well, how long to wait for a scar to heal fully and what the session feels like.
What to expect from a cover-up
A cover-up is almost always bigger and darker than the tattoo it hides. Dark colors, bold lines and busy textures hide old ink best, which is why many cover-ups use blackwork or heavy shading. Light colors and fine lines will not hide much on their own. Dense black ink, like heavy tribal work, is the hardest to cover and may need laser lightening first.
Pick an artist with cover-up experience
Cover-ups and scar work are harder than tattooing clean skin. Ask to see before and after photos of cover-ups the artist has done, and bring a clear photo of your old tattoo or scar to the consultation. Use find tattoo artists to look for artists whose portfolio has this kind of work.
