Cover Ups, Reworks & Scars
Cover ups & Reworks
Looking to cover or rework an old or unwanted tattoo? The best cover up tattoos are highly detailed, colourful and use plenty of lines and shading.
Although every tattoo is different, there are a few consistent design considerations which will help ensure your cover-up tattoo looks great with minimal or no touch-ups. Our artists can advise you on this when you come in.
We advise choosing a design with plenty of thick, dark colours, shading, and plenty of fine detail. It’s easier to conceal an existing tattoo by covering it with an intricate design because it gives our artists more options for coverage. Intense floral designs, detailed lettering, traditional tattoo styles, and other detailed patterns like mandalas and animal prints are good options for cover ups.
If your old tattoo is dark, cover-up ink might see-through it. In most cases, our tattoo artist will use excess dark ink to achieve the effect they want. As you would expect, dark colours like blue or black are a lot more effective in covering old ink compared to lighter shades.
Tattooing on Scars
When tattooing over scars the first thing to understand is that depending on the size and severity of the scar, you are likely to need a good amount of colour and texture within the tattoo. This is so the tattoo can work with the scar, and not against it, to help make it blend in and ‘disappear’ into the ink the best way possible.
Whilst some people choose a tattoo to completely cover their scar, others want to celebrate or symbolise them. Your artist will work with you establish your goal and find a design that you are happy with.
Fresh scars should not be tattooed over as this be very painful, but there’s a high chance that at least some of the ink will be rejected. It’s always best to wait until your scars have fully settled before getting your tattoo; we advise a minimum of one year for healing time, longer if possible. If you need advice on when to tattoo on your scar, get in touch with us and we’ll happily advise you.