7 Things to Consider When You Want to Cover a Tattoo

So, you met the girl of your dreams. Things were going splendidly. “This is it. This is forever,” you said. You bought a ring. You bought a house. You stood at the end of an aisle and said, “‘Till death do us part.” And then, you really sealed the deal. You proudly etched her name into your arm in big black ink for all to see. “That’s right, she’s mine.”

And you lived happily ever after.

Until happily ever after came to a crashing halt. You didn’t even see it coming. One minute, you’re choosing new wallpaper for the guest bathroom, and the next…well, let’s just say you now have an ex-wife and an ex-best-friend. When it rains, it pours.

You’re ready to leave the past in the past. It’s time to move on. There’s only one problem. That name is still burned into your skin, mocking you, crushing you every time you look down. You can’t wear long sleeves forever, so you’ve decided it’s time to get rid of it once and for all.

Your reasons for wanting to cover your ink might not be as heartbreaking as that. Maybe you ended up with an unfortunately misspelled word, an inside joke that didn’t age well, or that anime character you were obsessed with in high school. You’re not the person you were when you got that tattoo. And that’s OK. So, out with the old and in with the new.

But how? If only you could just hit “control+delete” and call it a day. Getting rid of a tattoo might not be as easy as that, but don’t worry. You’ve got options.

However, before you march into the tattoo parlor and declare, “I want it gone, and I want it gone now,” there are some things you might want to consider.

1. Temporary Cover-Up Options

You might be on the fence about whether or not you really want to get rid of your tattoo for good. If that’s the case, you may want to consider covering the tattoo temporarily before making a final decision. When you’re in a pinch to cover it, tattoo clothing is always an option. But when it’s the middle of summer, it might not be the best option.

Grab some heavy-duty stage makeup and check out YouTube tutorials on covering tattoos like the pros, then give it a go. Or, if your tattoo is on a spot like a wrist or an ankle, you can purchase skin-colored sleeves to wear over the ink.

2. Laser Removal

If you know you want the tattoo gone for good but would rather get your old skin back instead of covering it up with a bigger piece, laser tattoo removal might be for you. In this technique, a laser breaks up the ink into smaller particles so that your white blood cells can absorb them and carry them away. Keep in mind that this treatment option will cost a pretty penny, can be very painful, and usually takes several sessions over a long period of time to complete.

3. Covering the Old with Something New

The most popular way to cover a tattoo is by having a new piece designed over the top of it. A skilled artist will usually be able to create a design that incorporates the old tattoo while transforming it into something new. Or, they might suggest fading the existing ink with a few rounds of laser removal before going in on top of it.

4. Finding the Right Artist

Before you walk into any old tattoo parlor, do your research. You need an artist who has experience and expertise in tattoo cover-ups. Look for artists who can provide ample before and after photos of their previous work.

5. Placement

Depending on the location of your current tattoo, a cover-up might be a piece of cake, or it might require some extra creativity. Your new design will need to be bigger than the old one, so make sure there’s room for a larger piece.

6. Color

It’s usually easiest to cover a tattoo using colors similar to the old one. However, faded ink can often be covered by other colors with the right amount of shading. Get creative with your artist, and consider this an opportunity to really let your tattoo fashion shine.

7. Cover-Up Techniques and Processes

Your artist will employ a variety of techniques, such as shading and blending, to adequately cover the old tattoo. Because your new piece will be larger and more detailed than the first, it will likely take multiple sessions to achieve the final result. Be prepared to walk around with an unfinished, possibly chaotic-looking project for a bit. After each session, it’s crucial that you take excellent care of your new ink by following all of your artist’s aftercare directions.

If there’s one thing tattoo experts know, it’s that sometimes, people need a fresh start. Before lamenting that you’ll be forever stuck with a piece that brings back painful memories or no longer matches your style, chat with a skilled tattoo artist about your options. A fresh work of art that reflects the new you might be just what you need.