This Tattoo Wizard Erases Tattoo Fails Like They Never Even Happened

Not every tattoo ages well, and sometimes the art you thought you’d love forever ends up being your biggest regret.

Liv, an artist from Bristol, UK, is giving people a chance to fix that. Her flawless cover-ups have gone viral on TikTok, with viewers stunned at how she makes old tattoos vanish under fresh, beautiful designs.

Take a look below to see why her work has everyone talking.

Some tattoos don’t hold up the way their owners imagined

Person sitting on wooden floor taking a selfie in a room, showcasing tattoo artist’s cover-ups that went viral online.

Image credits: livslines

Luckily, Liv is an artist whose viral cover-ups are helping people leave those regrets behind

Tattoo artist’s cover-ups shown before and after, transforming a ghost tattoo into a floral vase design on an arm.

Image credits: livslines

Faded tattoo covered with a new detailed floral design by a tattoo artist showcasing viral cover-ups.

Image credits: livslines

Before and after tattoo cover-up on thigh by tattoo artist, showcasing viral creative tattoo cover-ups and artistry.

Image credits: livslines

Tattoo artist cover-up transformation on arm showing detailed black ink design replacing simple outline tattoo.

Image credits: livs.lines

Before and after images showing a tattoo artist’s cover-ups transforming a simple tattoo with viral artistic designs.

Image credits: livs.lines

Before and after photos showing a tattoo artist’s detailed cover-up work enhancing a back tattoo design.

Image credits: livs.lines

Arm tattoo cover-up showing transformation from simple lines to a bold floral design by a skilled tattoo artist.

Image credits: livslines

Tattoo artist cover-up artwork transforming a faded green tattoo into a detailed black ink design on upper arm.

Image credits: livslines

Side-by-side images of a leg showing a tattoo artist’s cover-up transforming old ink into a new abstract design.

Image credits: livslines

Before and after images of a tattoo artist’s cover-up work transforming a dog tattoo with detailed black ink shading.

Image credits: livslines

Tattoo artist’s cover-up transformation on arm with floral and abstract designs, showcasing viral tattoo art magic.

Image credits: livslines

Before and after of a tattoo artist’s cover-up on a leg, showcasing detailed swan design transformation.

Image credits: livslines

Before and after images of a tattoo artist’s cover-ups transforming a simple line into an intricate black ink design.

Image credits: livslines

Tattoo artist’s cover-ups transforming faded ink into bold floral design, showcasing impressive tattoo cover-up art on forearm.

Image credits: livslines

Arm showing tattoo cover-up transformation with a dark patterned design, highlighting tattoo artist’s cover-ups viral work.

Image credits: livs.lines

Before and after images of a tattoo artist’s cover-ups showcasing creative and viral tattoo transformations on a person’s arm.

Image credits: livs.lines

1 in 4 people regret their tattoos

Tattoos capture stories, beliefs, jokes, or moments of impulse. Some hold deep meaning, while others are just for fun—and that’s perfectly fine as long as the person wearing them loves what they see.

But forever doesn’t always feel as permanent as it sounds. A survey by Advanced Dermatology found that one in four people in the US regret at least one of their tattoos.

While laser removal is an option, it often comes with a hefty price tag, multiple sessions, and more pain than most would like to sign up for.

That’s where artists like Liv come in, using their skills to give old tattoos a second chance with the magic of a cover-up.

Cover-ups can give an old tattoo a fresh start, whether by adding new details, layering fresh elements, or transforming it into something entirely different.

But here’s the thing: cover-ups are often trickier than tattooing on fresh skin. Older ink can leave the skin more sensitive, and getting the colors and lines right usually takes extra passes with the needle.

It takes careful planning, a steady hand, and a clear vision to turn what’s already there into something fresh and worth showing off.

That’s why Liv has shared on TikTok that she charges more for cover-ups than regular tattoos, as they demand more time and thoughtful design to get right.

Cover-ups can do more than hide regrets

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

Most of the time, cover-ups are seen as a fix for tattoos that didn’t age well, designs that no longer feel right, or ink tied to memories best left behind, like matching tattoos after a breakup.

But cover-ups can do much more than that. They help people reclaim control over their bodies and stories.

In 17th-century Japan, prisoners were marked with irezumi kei (penal tattoos) as punishment. Over time, the practice of penal tattooing fell out of use, partly because released prisoners would cover these marks with decorative designs, using art to move on with their lives.

Today, some survivors of human trafficking use cover-ups to replace branding tattoos forced on them. Organizations like Soul Survivor’s Ink and Unbound in the US and Canada help make these transformations possible, offering survivors a chance to move forward on their own terms.

Cover-ups are also used to conceal scars and skin conditions, helping people feel more confident in their own skin. This practice has a long history: in 1835, German doctor Pauli tattooed over skin lesions, and even earlier, in 150 CE, the physician Galen used tattooing techniques on corneal opacities.

At its core, a cover-up is a tattoo like any other, adding ink to skin. But it can carry deep meaning, offer a chance to start again, or help heal from old wounds—and that’s what makes them so special.

Liv’s work leaves viewers so impressed, they find it hard to believe anything was ever hidden beneath

Comment by Paige Hilton with a profile photo, encouraging message about perseverance and confidence on a social media post.

Comment on social media post showing a confused reaction with clapping emojis, related to viral tattoo artist cover-ups.

Comment from user SS_Ann96 amazed by viral tattoo artist’s cover-ups, expressing disbelief at the results.

Comment on social media post saying wait where did they go, relating to tattoo artist’s cover-ups going viral with 2.1M views.

Comment by Abby Thomason praising a tattoo artist’s cover-ups for skill and expertise with a heart eyes emoji.

Comment praising a tattoo artist’s cover-ups, highlighting the skill in creating seamless designs.

Comment saying they want a bad tattoo to have it covered by a viral tattoo artist’s cover-ups praised online.

Comment from SaraDavis praising a tattoo artist’s cover-ups for their creativity and execution, with 65 likes.

Comment on social media showing a user reacting with the word WITCH and emoji, related to a tattoo artist’s cover-ups going viral.

Comment praising tattoo artist’s cover-ups as amazing with a fire emoji and 46 likes on social media post.

Comment on social media post praising tattoo artist’s cover-ups as incredible and amazing with 66 likes.

Comment from user Niq Niq praising tattoo artist’s cover-ups for their exceptional quality and skill in a social media post.

Screenshot of a social media comment praising a tattoo artist’s cover-ups, highlighting the impressive work.

Comment saying I feel like im being lied to, part of viral tattoo artist’s cover-ups discussion with millions of views online.

Comment from Owen Connors praising tattoo artist’s cover-ups as impressive and encouraging more great work online.

Liv also uses her skills to cover scars, helping clients feel more comfortable in their skin

Close-up of an arm showing a tattoo artist’s cover-ups with abstract black wave-like lines hiding old marks.

Image credits: livs.lines

Abstract black lotus flower tattoo cover-up on a woman’s upper arm by a tattoo artist going viral online.

Image credits: livs.lines

Abstract black ink tattoo cover-up on forearm by tattoo artist, showcasing creative and viral cover-ups artistry.

Image credits: livs.lines

Abstract red tattoo cover-up design on inner forearm by tattoo artist known for viral cover-ups.

Image credits: livs.lines

Abstract black ink tattoo cover-up on forearm, showcasing the tattoo artist’s creative cover-ups going viral.

Image credits: livs.lines

Abstract black line tattoo cover-up on inner forearm by tattoo artist, showcasing viral creative cover-ups.

Image credits: livs.lines

Octopus tattoo cover-up on thigh, showcasing a tattoo artist’s skill and viral cover-ups with millions of views.

Image credits: livs.lines

Abstract minimal tattoo cover-up on a forearm featuring fine lines and small red accents by a tattoo artist.

Image credits: livs.lines

Abstract black ink tattoo cover-up on upper arm showing a surreal woman with multiple eyes by tattoo artist.

Image credits: livs.lines

And when she’s not doing cover-ups, she’s busy creating thoughtful new designs

Abstract black and dotwork cover-up tattoo on a person's back by a tattoo artist gaining viral attention.

Image credits: livs.lines

Tattoo artist’s cover-up tattoo of a skeleton skateboarding, detailed black ink design on a person's upper thigh.

Image credits: livs.lines

Tattoo artist’s cover-ups featuring detailed cat designs on calves, showcasing impressive transformation and viral tattoo art skills.

Image credits: livs.lines

Tattoo artist’s cover-up of floral-headed figures on upper arm in black ink with decorative plant elements.

Image credits: livslines

Abstract black ink tattoo cover-up on forearm, showcasing a tattoo artist’s skill in creative tattoo cover-ups.

Image credits: livslines

Abstract face tattoo cover-up on thigh by tattoo artist, showcasing creative design and skill in cover-ups.

Image credits: livslines

Minimalist fish tattoo cover-up with black and red ink on skin, showcasing tattoo artist’s cover-ups gaining viral attention.

Image credits: livslines

Dalmatian dog tattoo with a mohawk on a thigh, showcasing a tattoo artist’s creative cover-up art.

Image credits: livslines

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!