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Breakups can be very, very emotionally draining, especially if you’re left with a permanent reminder of your ex on your body. Getting a tattoo design with your partner’s face, name, or initials inked is easier than getting rid of it.
Luckily, some crafty tattoo artists have the skills and creativity to turn them into something new, allowing them to let go of the past and move on. Bored Panda has collected a list of clever ways people covered up tattoos that were dedicated to their exes, so continue scrolling to the tattoo gallery below and remember to upvote your faves!
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#1
Withnail 6 years ago
Symbolic of the death of the relationship, perhaps. Or maybe the person likes skulls! 💀
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ADHORTATOR 6 years ago
the fist tattoo was already very well made, but the cover up is awesome
Christophe Ferreira 6 years ago
The drawing and shading are so good! I can't even do that on paper!
Everyone who wants a tattoo cover-up has to be open to modifications that will allow it to completely hide the old body art. And the more complex the cover-up tattoo design is in terms of fine details and rich shading, and the more solid, deep colors it has in it, the better it will turn out. For example, tattoo ideas with layers like scales on fish, variegation in flower petals, and swirls of hair in different shades are really useful. Also, deep purples, blues, greens, and other dark, cool colors with lots of black shading work really well. Especially if the original tattoo is dark. On the other hand, warmer colors tend to be less successful at covering an old tattoo.
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#2
hobbitly 6 years ago
With a name like Darwin, I would have gotten an evolution chart with it, hihi XD
Withnail 6 years ago
No, you're right. I can also see it's still there. But you probably won't notice it unless you know to look for it.
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Typically, the new design has to be larger than the old tattoo, so that it provides more than sufficient coverage. According to Painful Pleasures, the shape of the new design and the way it's angled over top of the old one will determine how much larger the cover-up tattoo needs to be to successfully mask what's underneath it.
#3
Samet Yigitbas 4 years ago
Tragus Piercing I read such an article, do you think these are correct? Has anyone had it done before? https://piercinguide.com/tragus-piercing-what-is-a-tragus-piercing-how-to-clean-tragus-piercing-2021/
Gary Wayne 6 years ago
if I am being honest...probably best one.. its humerous and nobody will ever know... looks perfectly natural...
Grace Wiebe 6 years ago
Better be careful, dude...Homer might not be the brightest bulb in the box, but don't mess with his woman! He works in a nuclear plant, y'know... ;)
The artist may also suggest a few sessions of laser tattoo removal to lighten the old tattoo before attempting to cover it up with a new one. The necessity for laser tattoo removal usually depends on the age of the old tattoo, how dark its colors are and what colors the cover up tattoo will consist of as well as the complexity of the cover-up design. When covering up an old, faded tattoo, laser tattoo removal usually isn't necessary.
#4
manowce 6 years ago
there is "Żabka" written below the original, which means "Little frog" in polish. just in case you were wondering.
Hellysal 6 years ago
Also it's a word of affection, like "honey" or something.
Load More Replies... Christophe Ferreira 6 years ago
Of course things don't go well when you go out with a demon ...
Jenny Bella 6 years ago
That case has been on German TV.. and the „before“ wasn’t his ex girlfriend, but his late mother.. he got inked as a memory, but got this horrible portrait..
Once the ink of the new tattoo settles, the old design may peek through somewhat, but a few more passes should take care of that problem, if it arises.
#5
Víctor Alfonso García Olmo 6 years ago
A normal spanish name, look at my. 😉
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Tambot 6 years ago
Exactly, I can see a child's name, but it's so much prettier to have an image.
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#6
Annette Easton 6 years ago
It's really well done, but I'd always be noticing that her hair, neck and shoulder are still there. I had a tattoo covered/redone and there's a whole 1 line of the original left, and it really bothers me when I see it.
Elizabeth B 6 years ago
Is that the same woman from the hooded skull tattoo coverup? Either someone got 2 tattoos of her or she's a real heart breaker.
#7
#8
Crystal Pearson 6 years ago
If you look closely u will see that the tattoo on left is opposite arm of the other
Gary Wayne 6 years ago
I mean it was a matter of 5 letters ...thats all you had to cover.. and it turned into THAT... obviously still working through some stuff over "Stacy"..LMAO .. I bet your new girl picked up on that right away... LMAO
#9
M O'Connell 6 years ago
You missed your chance to turn it into a Detroit Redwings tattoo! Or a pegasus,
#11
Zoe's Mom 6 years ago
I know several people that have tattoos on their fingers. Your comment was exactly what the artist told them in trying to persuade them not to get it done; 1 Year later, the tattoos are still very crisp and pretty. I realize that is not the norm.
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Madalena Isabel 6 years ago
OMG WHAT THE HELL?! In reality,I don't like tattoos. But seriously? On the finger?! At least its not ugly.
#12
Mark Smallman 6 years ago
Mmmm,go around with a tattoo of your ex or replace it with a very random gorilla. Tough choice :)
#13
Koalamonster 6 years ago
You can see it a bit still but with how dark and wide those letters are... not many great options.
Kateri 6 years ago
You probably wouldn't notice though if you didn't have the before photo.
Load More Replies... Madalena Isabel 6 years ago
"OH NO!I BROKE UP WITH KAYLEIGH!! WHAT DO I DO?! oo! I know!!! I'LL JUST DRAW BATMAN!!☺
Steve Cruz 6 years ago
I'm not loving the cover-up too much, especially the misshapen head on Batman.
#14
Niffler_13 6 years ago
But honestly wouldn't any of the cover ups? You will always know that your exes name or image is under the new ink.
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#15
#16
Jennie-Lind Normand 6 years ago
So now we can assume when we see a feather tattoo it's covering up an ex's name? Hahahaha
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Tambot 6 years ago
Yeah, I know... WHY SO BIG?? I find the name tattoo thing so weird.
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Grace Wiebe 6 years ago
Every time I date a dude with a feather tat now, I'm going to wonder who's name he covered...?
Samantha Robinson 6 years ago
Beneath every feather tattoo I see now I will wonder if any regrets lay beneath.
MidgetDogg 6 years ago
What's up with all the feathers? Is that this generation's butterfly or tribal?
Signe Manat Hansen 6 years ago
They're long. They're good at covering names.
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TheExtremeSmell 6 years ago
Omg they forgot to blur this picture how embarrassing his nipple for all to see
ANGEL UMOREN 6 years ago
he has goose bumps on his nipples and the area were the tattoo is red :}
#18
Madalena Isabel 6 years ago
OH GOD I BROKE UP WITH JESSI! Oh its okay 👌 I'll just fox it with bat man 👨 he'll fix it!
#19
Yeetus Deletus 6 years ago
i think it's just supposed to be funny, how you can see that it was crossed out. rude
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Madalena Isabel 6 years ago
At least u could cover up the rest of the name and never tell your girlfriend who you dated!😏
Gay Powers Activate! 6 years ago
Life lesson: Don't get a tattoo of your partner. If you want to after you're married, don't get their name or face. Just something meaningful to both of you.
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#20
Sarah Collier 6 years ago
Same... There is a bunch of beautiful bare skin where the blue ink from the old tattoo was. Did they cover the blue with white? Is that even possible? So many questions.
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Steve Cruz 6 years ago
I grabbed both photos and laid them over each other in Photoshop and adjusted the opacity. Still couldn't figure out how the new tattoo obscures the old -- there would be a lot more showing through.
sam jrakoh 6 years ago
wait...are we sure this is the same person? the only way this computes if is they maybe started laser removal 1st...cuz otherwise, HOW?
Niffler_13 6 years ago
There's too much white for this to be real. Even using white ink, the blue would show through to some degree.
Mike Procaccini 6 years ago
Putting a lovers name on your body doesn't make sense to me in the first place when there is a 90% failure rate. Stupidity compounded by stupidity.
#21
Whiterain25 furry 6 years ago
ewww... if that was a female they would have covered up the nipple but boys can do whatever they want and its disgusting
debrina blackmoon 6 years ago (edited)
ltsf-no, it does not say "void b***h"; just VOID over Chantelle... try a comma, b***h!
Cheryl Forbes 4 years ago
If this was my boyfriend, I wouldn't want the ex's name showing at all.
Gary Wayne 6 years ago
effective... great conversation piece... hope it passes the "new girlfriend test" tho..LOL
#22
Magpie 6 years ago
Scrolling down, the middle pic looked really bad.... but the last/bottom pic is very nice.
D-m Keilman 6 years ago
The second pic is a freehand drawing done directly on the skin with sharpie
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Tiffany Marie 6 years ago
Now anytime I see a feather on someone, going to ask if its a name cover up.
Steve Cruz 6 years ago
Tattoo artists who outline everything in black create flat cartoons. Previous feathers are better.
#23
Mia O'Brien 6 years ago
It wasn’t a great tat to start with...but the endgame probably looks the best
#24
Lydia Washburn 6 years ago
ummmm did that guy break up because of the friggin face his ex has?
#25
Marcy P 6 years ago
That’s what I was gonna’ say! Even if Chris is still around, that tatt was bad!
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Clinton Yew 6 years ago
If me, I would add a T behind Chris and change the ball(?) into deadpool head and "pool" at the bottom.
#26
nothanks 6 years ago
I really like the drawing style of the second one tbh
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#27
Chicago Kitty 6 years ago
This guy needs a new tattoo artist, this seems to be more lame than an improvement.
James Pointer 6 years ago
Or... The client chose the design...? Like with most cases...
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#28
Hello it Smee 6 years ago
O hell, you just doubled down on a bad decision. Hope you and Hollie last.
#29
Kaisu 6 years ago
Why would they replace H with @, that makes no sense to me? Why not S#IT happens or something
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#30
Christophe Ferreira 6 years ago
He could have added winter in the other side ... At least that may not have been horrible and he could pass that for seasons instead of names.
NanZ 6 years ago
I think the scissors are for a barber or beautician but could be wrong. It took me a second to see what the new one was. Cute idea but it makes an ugly tattoo
Rabbit Carrot 6 years ago
That’s really awful. The before picture is bad enough but the after is atrocious.
Kamryn McNamara 6 years ago
I really like this one it's so cute and innocent, it's a cute idea!
#31
Tambot 6 years ago
Exactly, let's just carry that negativity with you FOREVER!
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Gracie Mae 6 years ago
I will never understand WHY someone will do a 'cover up' this way...the name is STILL there AND still visible, ffs! If you're going to cover it up, go all out and do it right!
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What do you think ?
Hello it Smee 6 years ago
Looks like most of the women get feathers and the fellas turn theirs in to demons. Think before you ink!
Hans 6 years ago
"think before you ink" sounds like a slogan which would make 90% of tattoo shops close done, leaving only a few with really talented people (and accordingly high prices) behind...
Load More Replies... Kaisu 6 years ago
I would say never get a tattoo of a name or face, unless it's your kid or like a deceased loved one or something
Claire Shamgochian 6 years ago
The only tattoo I would get is one of my pets' names or a print of their paws. Most likely on my shoulder where my rats and dove like sitting. That way it could feel like they are with you forever.
Load More Replies... Pseudo Puppy 6 years ago
The only name-tattoo that I've ever seen that wasn't a mistake, was one on an 18year old. It was honouring his recently deceased grandfather, who'd rescued him from an abusive home-life, and raised him. At 18, this guy was now completely alone, and honoured the man who saved him, in the only way he knew how. Even today, I get choked up at the strength this kid (& his granddad) had.
Jess 💖 Yass 6 years ago
This is a sad but beautiful story! And a proper name tattoo scenario.
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Master Markus 6 years ago
Maybe don't get names, and ESPECIALLY don't get faces of your loved ones? I don't understand the motivation. I mean, if they're in your life, you don't NEED to be reminded of their existence by also having them on your body.
Hello it Smee 6 years ago
Looks like most of the women get feathers and the fellas turn theirs in to demons. Think before you ink!
Hans 6 years ago
"think before you ink" sounds like a slogan which would make 90% of tattoo shops close done, leaving only a few with really talented people (and accordingly high prices) behind...
Load More Replies... Kaisu 6 years ago
I would say never get a tattoo of a name or face, unless it's your kid or like a deceased loved one or something
Claire Shamgochian 6 years ago
The only tattoo I would get is one of my pets' names or a print of their paws. Most likely on my shoulder where my rats and dove like sitting. That way it could feel like they are with you forever.
Load More Replies... Pseudo Puppy 6 years ago
The only name-tattoo that I've ever seen that wasn't a mistake, was one on an 18year old. It was honouring his recently deceased grandfather, who'd rescued him from an abusive home-life, and raised him. At 18, this guy was now completely alone, and honoured the man who saved him, in the only way he knew how. Even today, I get choked up at the strength this kid (& his granddad) had.
Jess 💖 Yass 6 years ago
This is a sad but beautiful story! And a proper name tattoo scenario.
Load More Replies... Master Markus 6 years ago
Maybe don't get names, and ESPECIALLY don't get faces of your loved ones? I don't understand the motivation. I mean, if they're in your life, you don't NEED to be reminded of their existence by also having them on your body.
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