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January 1, 201641 CommentsGeneral, Tattoo MistakesBy Dr Greg Hall

Tattoo cover-up

Tattoo cover-up
When it comes to a tattoo cover-up, the simple truth is that most people can’t afford laser tattoo removal, or surgery, or whatever else may help remove a tattoo.  When they get tired of a tattoo (because someone’s name is there they don’t like anymore, or the artwork didn’t work out) the most economical thing to do, is cover it with another larger and more elaborate tattoo. Like trying to fix a bad soup recipe, they have varying levels of success.
Tattoo cover-up
Someone’s name is hidden in the vertical black bands below the flower petals above. This was clearly a determined effort to forget the past.
Tattoo cover-up

This photo was submitted by Chelsa:”had gotten a tattoo with an ex’s initials, worst mistake of my life! waited four years and was finally able to get it covered, 3 and half hours of pain! just not fun, i love the end product tho! 😀 be wise with the choices you make that are on you forever!”

Tattoo cover-up
This elaborate rose is concealing another former love’s name. Tattoo artists will confess that this tests their artistic abilities because they have to find a design that will both adequately cover another design (usually a name), and be acceptable to the person. The problems are:
  1. more ink needs to be used,
  2. the tattoo needs to be larger,
  3. and there is usually more time involved in the process which exposes the person to more risk of infection (more sticks, more blood, longer healing).
The final result varies with the tattoo artist, the resistance of the original tattoo, and the type of skin involved.
Tattoo cover-up
This rose covers “Tyrone.” Can you still make it out? Very nice job.
Tattoo cover-up
In talking to the people who had tattoos done to cover previous tattoos, one common thread persists: THEY STILL SEE THE PREVIOUS TATTOO AS CLEARLY AS BEFORE.  For whatever reason, the prior image is burned into their brain, and no matter how crafty or talented the tattoo artist, they still see the original image as clearly as before.
Moral of the story. . . think long and hard about the first tattoo, and you won’t have to worry about covering  it up.
These next few cover-ups are from Hart and Huntington in Orlando Florida. Just click on the photo and you can go to their site to see more!
Tattoo cover-up

 Tattoo cover-up
Tattoo cover-up

Rosie was not forever.

Tattoo cover-up

Check out these from Trinity Tattoo in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Thanks Melissa!!

Tattoo cover-up

Tattoo cover-up

Tattoo cover-up

Below is a nice cover up of a tiger about to eat a bird. . .

beautifully done!!

Tattoo cover-up

 

About the author

Dr Greg Hall

Gregory Hall, MD is a physician, author, speaker, inventor, professor, and public health professional. He strives to improve the quality of medical care through fair disclosure, quality care, and an honest approach to patients and their families.

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41 Comments
  1. November 22, 2011 at 3:24 am
    Shiela Sylver

    Hello there! Amazing site! I really enjoyed reading it.

    • January 2, 2012 at 2:39 pm
      admin

      Thanks.

  2. November 22, 2011 at 11:45 am
    admin

    Thanks! Be sure to tell your friends and teens.

  3. November 29, 2011 at 5:59 pm
    Bruno Mednis

    There are lots of ways to cover a tattoo, but putting more thought into it is the best way!

  4. December 5, 2011 at 4:23 am
    Rochell Eisenhart

    Thanks, I’ve just been looking for information approximately this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered till now. However, what in regards to the bottom line? Tattoo removal or cover-up????

    • January 2, 2012 at 2:45 pm
      admin

      The answer varies according to the person. Email me separately and I will review the details. Thanks.

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  7. December 28, 2011 at 12:55 am
    Melissa Lukeson

    I stumbled upon your website when doing research for photos to use for my own blog and very much enjoy the majority of your content. As tattoo studio owners who speak to groups of teens about safe tattooing, I appreciate anyone who is helping educate the masses about safe tattooing practices.

    After reviewing your section on cover-up tattoos, I really would like you to do more research on the quality of the artwork you are posting in reference to a good cover up. The cover up tattoos you posted here are horrible tattoos and need to be examples of tattoos that need covered up. I qualify that with my husband’s 20 year tattoo career and over 200 awards for his work, which several are for cover up pieces. Please continue what you are doing educating about the medical risks of tattooing, but please leave the display of “great artistry” to the professionals that actually do the work themselves and are qualified to give that opinion.

    • December 28, 2011 at 2:41 pm
      admin

      Thanks Melissa for you comments!! And of course you are correct. My mother always said “all of your taste is in your mouth.” Based on the few cover-up tattoos I’ve been exposed to. . . the rose actually impressed me! Please send me some examples of some the cover up tattoos you’ve seen and I will post them and link them to your site (or the artist’s site). I’m definitely not an art critic! You can email them to . Thanks again!!

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    • April 25, 2012 at 2:37 pm
      Nayari

      I dont agree with you at all. Tattoo’s were permanent, now they can be reoemvd. as you know, people change .people’s taste change .so tattoo removal methods let the person change. It’s kinda like getting a second chance . One lonesome reply .do you not believe in second chances?

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  34. January 23, 2013 at 2:14 pm
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  35. March 2, 2013 at 6:56 pm
    Carlos Maldonado

    Thanks for writing this great post. I just started my first cover up last week and after my first session after the healing had started I’m starting to think it will still show. I love the new design but I’m hoping it’ll work out my artist was picked carefully from where I live. Do they usually color in more after it is done?

    • March 2, 2013 at 8:52 pm
      admin

      Thanks for coming Carlos. As we mentioned, most people still “see” the original tattoo in a cover-up. The question is what do other people think? Ask someone else’s opinion who hasn’t seen the prior tattoo. The color won’t get more intense with time. Thanks for the question and good luck!

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