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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!
This post may include affiliate links.
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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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.
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.
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.
#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.
#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.
#17
#20
#28
Hello it Smee 6 years ago
O hell, you just doubled down on a bad decision. Hope you and Hollie last.
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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.
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.
Nicole Olchowy 6 years ago
A name is one thing but who’s out there thinking putting your partners face on you is a good idea? Nuts 🥜
Bridgette Blumenthal 6 years ago
Keep words in books and faces in photos and this wouldn't be an issue...
Susan Forbes 6 years ago
Looks like most of them spent more (with a better artist) on the cover-up than on the original.
Magpie 6 years ago
*nods* to be expected, getting older often means getting a bit wiser, and often also means access to more money.
Load More Replies...
Ahnnah Newell 6 years ago
It just isn't very smart to get a name as a tattoo of a person unless it is your brother, sister, mom, dad, pet, etc..
3ke 6 years ago
This is why I promised my husband that I'd never get his name/face tattooed on me. It jinxes the relationship. There are exceptions such as children, pets, and memorials. Cover-ups are more painful than the original ink and the artist has to work with what has labelled a blemish. Cover-up artists are super talented.
debrina blackmoon 6 years ago
husband has actually considered covering and once even told ME to use a KNIFE on it!!! WTF?!
Load More Replies... 
Samet Yigitbas 4 years ago
https://piercinguide.com/tragus-piercing-what-is-a-tragus-piercing-how-to-clean-tragus-piercing-2021/ Tragus Piercing I read such an article, do you think these are correct? Has anyone had it done before?
Daniel Groendyk 5 years ago
I have my ex wife name on my shoulder. Married 24 years before paperwork was signed off by a judge. Now? Maybe I keep as a part of my past life. PS ex wife had my name covered up..lol
okpkpkp 6 years ago
I knew a guy who had his wife's name tatted on his bicep. She left him so he took a toothbrush and water and salt and brushed it raw and when it healed the next day he did it again. Over and over until her name was obliterated. He had a half-inch by two-inch scar on his arm but he also had a smile on his face.
Michelle Dodson 6 years ago
For the life of me, I will never understand why someone would have a person's name put on their body (other than that of a child). My ex husband had HIS ex's name tattooed on his arm AFTER they had broken up (had I known that it would have given me a much clearer view into his mental health issues). I made him get it covered up before we got married. Apparently, he thought it would make her rethink breaking up with him & she'd take him back. F*****g loser.
Manel Dias 6 years ago
This is a reminder to anyone who is planning Such permanent ink Tattoos to get done on your skin. If it's your son/daughter's name or your loving Pet's name I am sure there is no need to go back & cover them up at a later date.
David Herz 6 years ago
tattooing a relationship on your body is tempting fate far too deliciously for it to resist...don't do it, not even your mother...if you love her or miss her what a wonderful to keep in mind and not on your skin
Gracie Mae 6 years ago
Some of these cover ups were examples of great work! on the other hand, some of them show why you should check out your 'artist' before letting them touch you...
cybermerlin2000 6 years ago
If there's anything I can take from all this its when you have a tattoo to prove your love you will split up
Laura Martin 6 years ago
Agree that in 95% of cases getting a significant others name isa bad idea. That being said, when I had surgery my hubby went to a tattoo parlor to have my name put on his arm. The artist tried to dissuade him. Letting him know that it usually turns out to be a bad decision. Hubby assured him that we had been married 32 years at the time and thought we were pretty safe. So impressed that the artist was caring enough to put his customer first.
Magpie 6 years ago
1 cause they are lovely, 2 the symbolism of floating above previous mistakes, 3 they have an ephemeral feel. 4 they can be *any* colours ....Just guesstimating here.
Load More Replies...
Bridget Wright 6 years ago
I knew a guy that had his girlfriend's name "Mercy" tattooed on his arm. He said if they ever broke up, he would just add "No" in front of it. Works on two levels.
Luna 6 years ago
my brother has a tattoo from all time lows album, "so wrong it's right" and lyrics from one of their EPs and he doesn't rlly care about them anymore(he's still a fan, just not as big)
Master Markus 6 years ago
Getting a bunch of words as a tattoo is a big faux pas.
Load More Replies...
Chyppa Homer 6 years ago
I think, people who tatoo names and faces of their partners on themselves, should just leave it. That way we'd know who the supid people are. But yeah, a good tatoo artist is wort every penny, especially the second time around :).
Master Markus 6 years ago
F**k Jesus. Also, the Bible bans tattoos: Leviticus 19:28.
Load More Replies...
Alexandra Hughes 6 years ago
Or you could just not get a person's name permanently inked on to your body. Just seems to be asking for trouble. But that's just me.
ingion1 6 years ago
tattoo names are like branding one's own self as property of someone else's and voluntarily make this a statement for the whole world to know. dont let me start on tattoos in general cause its even worse than this
Signe Manat Hansen 6 years ago
Literally no one got you started. Shut up.
Load More Replies... 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.
Nicole Olchowy 6 years ago
A name is one thing but who’s out there thinking putting your partners face on you is a good idea? Nuts 🥜
Bridgette Blumenthal 6 years ago
Keep words in books and faces in photos and this wouldn't be an issue...
Susan Forbes 6 years ago
Looks like most of them spent more (with a better artist) on the cover-up than on the original.
Magpie 6 years ago
*nods* to be expected, getting older often means getting a bit wiser, and often also means access to more money.
Load More Replies... Ahnnah Newell 6 years ago
It just isn't very smart to get a name as a tattoo of a person unless it is your brother, sister, mom, dad, pet, etc..
3ke 6 years ago
This is why I promised my husband that I'd never get his name/face tattooed on me. It jinxes the relationship. There are exceptions such as children, pets, and memorials. Cover-ups are more painful than the original ink and the artist has to work with what has labelled a blemish. Cover-up artists are super talented.
debrina blackmoon 6 years ago
husband has actually considered covering and once even told ME to use a KNIFE on it!!! WTF?!
Load More Replies... Samet Yigitbas 4 years ago
https://piercinguide.com/tragus-piercing-what-is-a-tragus-piercing-how-to-clean-tragus-piercing-2021/ Tragus Piercing I read such an article, do you think these are correct? Has anyone had it done before?
Daniel Groendyk 5 years ago
I have my ex wife name on my shoulder. Married 24 years before paperwork was signed off by a judge. Now? Maybe I keep as a part of my past life. PS ex wife had my name covered up..lol
okpkpkp 6 years ago
I knew a guy who had his wife's name tatted on his bicep. She left him so he took a toothbrush and water and salt and brushed it raw and when it healed the next day he did it again. Over and over until her name was obliterated. He had a half-inch by two-inch scar on his arm but he also had a smile on his face.
Michelle Dodson 6 years ago
For the life of me, I will never understand why someone would have a person's name put on their body (other than that of a child). My ex husband had HIS ex's name tattooed on his arm AFTER they had broken up (had I known that it would have given me a much clearer view into his mental health issues). I made him get it covered up before we got married. Apparently, he thought it would make her rethink breaking up with him & she'd take him back. F*****g loser.
Manel Dias 6 years ago
This is a reminder to anyone who is planning Such permanent ink Tattoos to get done on your skin. If it's your son/daughter's name or your loving Pet's name I am sure there is no need to go back & cover them up at a later date.
David Herz 6 years ago
tattooing a relationship on your body is tempting fate far too deliciously for it to resist...don't do it, not even your mother...if you love her or miss her what a wonderful to keep in mind and not on your skin
Gracie Mae 6 years ago
Some of these cover ups were examples of great work! on the other hand, some of them show why you should check out your 'artist' before letting them touch you...
cybermerlin2000 6 years ago
If there's anything I can take from all this its when you have a tattoo to prove your love you will split up
Laura Martin 6 years ago
Agree that in 95% of cases getting a significant others name isa bad idea. That being said, when I had surgery my hubby went to a tattoo parlor to have my name put on his arm. The artist tried to dissuade him. Letting him know that it usually turns out to be a bad decision. Hubby assured him that we had been married 32 years at the time and thought we were pretty safe. So impressed that the artist was caring enough to put his customer first.
Magpie 6 years ago
1 cause they are lovely, 2 the symbolism of floating above previous mistakes, 3 they have an ephemeral feel. 4 they can be *any* colours ....Just guesstimating here.
Load More Replies... Bridget Wright 6 years ago
I knew a guy that had his girlfriend's name "Mercy" tattooed on his arm. He said if they ever broke up, he would just add "No" in front of it. Works on two levels.
Luna 6 years ago
my brother has a tattoo from all time lows album, "so wrong it's right" and lyrics from one of their EPs and he doesn't rlly care about them anymore(he's still a fan, just not as big)
Master Markus 6 years ago
Getting a bunch of words as a tattoo is a big faux pas.
Load More Replies... Chyppa Homer 6 years ago
I think, people who tatoo names and faces of their partners on themselves, should just leave it. That way we'd know who the supid people are. But yeah, a good tatoo artist is wort every penny, especially the second time around :).
Master Markus 6 years ago
F**k Jesus. Also, the Bible bans tattoos: Leviticus 19:28.
Load More Replies... Alexandra Hughes 6 years ago
Or you could just not get a person's name permanently inked on to your body. Just seems to be asking for trouble. But that's just me.
ingion1 6 years ago
tattoo names are like branding one's own self as property of someone else's and voluntarily make this a statement for the whole world to know. dont let me start on tattoos in general cause its even worse than this
Signe Manat Hansen 6 years ago
Literally no one got you started. Shut up.
Load More Replies... You May Like 100 Small, Simple Brother and Sister Tattoo Ideas to Try With Your Kin 91 Beautiful Spine Tattoos That Make The Pain Worth It 88 Wrist Tattoo Designs That Range From Full-On Snakes To Small Hearts
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