Cover-Up Tattoos
Not every tattoo stands the test of time. Maybe your tastes changed, maybe the design wasn’t what you hoped. The good news: cover-ups can transform old ink into something beautiful.
How cover-ups work
A cover-up doesn’t just “paint over” the old tattoo. Skilled artists use creative placement, shading, and contrast to blend the old design into a new one.
Dark areas become shadows, outlines are reimagined, and the result is something entirely new.
What makes a good cover-up candidate?
- Older, faded tattoos are easier to cover.
- Black or dark lines can be incorporated into a new design.
- Larger and bolder cover-ups often work better than something tiny.
Alternatives to a cover-up
Sometimes, laser lightening is used first to fade the original tattoo, giving the artist more freedom for the new design.
Final thought
A cover-up can be the start of a whole new story. Don’t live with something you dislike—work with your artist to create a piece you’ll love.