Fine Ink Studios’ Guide to Cover Up Tattoos: What You Need to Know

Ready to turn that mark of your past life into a work of art? Whether you want to cover up old ink that no longer reflects your personality or transform an old scar into something meaningful, tattoo cover-ups can help you heal and move on from your past. Along with your cover-up tattoo artist, you'll collaborate along with your cover up tattoo artist to design a unique masterpiece that defines who you are today. Here’s what you should know about getting a cover-up tattoo:

Cover Up Basics: When to Cover Up a Tattoo

Here are some signs it's time to cover up that old ink:

Fading

It’s normal for tattoos to fade over time. Your lifestyle also affects your tattoo’s appearance over time. If it’s been several decades since you got your tattoo, you may notice the colors aren’t as vibrant or blend together. If your tattoo isn’t what it used to be, it's time to get it refreshed.

Poor Quality

It happens: you walked into a local tattoo parlor on a whim without reading the reviews. You let a friend ink you to gain experience, but you’re not thrilled with the quality. Maybe your new ink looked great after you walked out of the studio, but now you're experiencing a tattoo blowout. Whatever the case, your tattoo should make you feel proud when you look at it. If it doesn’t, it’s okay to get it altered.

 Tattoo Regret

Maybe your ink reminds you of a person or a time in your life you'd rather forget. Perhaps you don’t want an old scar to define your look. A cover-up tattoo is a powerful way to reclaim your body and turn a negative memory or a painful experience into a beautiful work of art.

Lifestyle Changes

Your tattoo may look different after you experience lifestyle changes like weight fluctuations, surgeries, or pregnancy. Tattoos may stretch significantly if your tattoo is placed in an area known for stretching and moving, like your hips, stomach, thighs, or upper arms. A cover-up tattoo can make your tattoo match your new look.

Tips for Tattoos to Cover Up Scars

Here are some things to think about when getting a cover-up tattoo on a scar:

Wait Until It’s Fully Healed

The number one requirement for getting a cover-up tattoo over a scar is to allow plenty of healing time. The scar should be fully healed and at least one year old before putting a tattoo over it. Check with your doctor before booking your appointment with a cover-up tattoo artist to ensure it's safe to get new ink.

Work with Your Scar’s Texture & Design

Cover-up tattoos can hide the color of your scar, but not the texture. Designs like flowers, vines, or smoke swirls flow really well with scarred skin. Avoid straight lines or geometric patterns, as they can highlight the scar's uneven surface. Work with your cover-up tattoo artist to develop a design that works with your scar’s texture and natural shape to cover it up effectively.

Aftercare is Key

Scar tissue can be more sensitive, so proper aftercare is essential for the healing process. Follow your artist's instructions and develop a solid aftercare routine you can follow every day to prevent infection and ensure the ink settles properly.

Tips for Covering Up Tattoos

Here are some tips for getting a cover-up tattoo:

Color Matters

Dark, bold colors are the most challenging to cover up. In addition, old ink will mix with the new ink, producing a darker, more saturated color palette. Black is often the best choice to use for a cover-up tattoo, but dark blues, purples, and greens also work.

Bigger Is Better

Your new tattoo design needs to be two to three times larger than the original to hide it effectively. A design that is similar in size to the original tattoo or is too tight may make the new tattoo look blotchy or blurry.

It’s All in the Details

Cover-up tattoos with a lot of detail, shading, and bold lines work well. These elements help draw focus to the entire new tattoo and not the old lines underneath.

You May Need Laser Removal First

While your cover-up tattoo artist can work some magic to transform your original tattoo, it may be too dark, large, or saturated to be hidden entirely. When this happens, you should consider having a few laser tattoo removal sessions to lighten the old tattoo before covering it up.

Best Cover-Up Tattoo Designs

Large, bold, and detailed designs with vibrant colors and shading are excellent choices for cover-up tattoos. Here are some of the most common types of cover-up tattoo designs:

• Flowers—Bouquets, large blooms, and leafy vines.

• Japanese-style—Dragons, koi ponds, and ocean waves.

• Nature scenes—Portraits of mountain ranges, beaches, forests, or underwater scenes.

• 3D—The intricate shading needed for the pop-up look of a 3D tattoo makes it a great choice for cover-ups.

• Blastover—These types of cover-up tattoos are inked directly over the original, allowing some aspects of the original ink to come through.

Fine Ink Studios: Cover Up Tattoo Artists in Orlando

It's important to choose an experienced cover-up tattoo artist when getting a cover-up tattoo. Scar tissue is extremely delicate, so it’s vital to select an artist experienced in creating ink for scars. At Fine Ink Studios, we’ll match you with an experienced artist who will help you achieve your desired look. Book your appointment today!