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When I got my first tattoo, there were a lot of things I worried about. What if the design I picked doesn't transfer well on the skin? What if the artist gets a hand (or brain) tremor and I end up with one of those tattoos from the realm of "No Ragrets"? What if the tattoo ages horribly and bleeds out into the skin later?
Luckily, a comforting idea was always at the back of my mind. There's such a thing as tattoo cover-ups. I can always hide or add details to the existing tattoo to make it look better. And that's what this list is about – masterful tattoo cover-ups that showcase the true artistry of tattooists. So scroll through these artful improvements and let us know your tattoo story in the comments!
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#1
The Dragon Was About 20 Years Old And Difficult To Cover-Up, So I Offered To Adapt It To A New Tattoo And He Accepted
Justin Smith 2 years ago
Not a fan of the execution of the idea myself. The dragon seems out of place, with the dull colorad different design.
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RELATED:
#2
Wonderful Cover-Up
Apachebathmat 2 years ago
Isn’t the shipwreck a little contradictory of the lighthouse? Magnificent tat though!
Brittania Kelli 2 years ago
Maybe the shipwreck happened so they built the lighthouse?
Load More Replies... #3
Coverage With Portraits Of Masha And Pérola, Companions Of The Client
Who says you can't erase past mistakes? Certainly not when tattoos are involved! However, it's useful to know some things before deciding to cover up a tattoo. Salon owners and tattoo artists recommend doing a fair bit of research before making the big decision.
One might decide that the tattoo mistake is just not worth it and decide to get rid of it permanently. That's where tattoo removal comes in. Laser removal is the best option for those who want to erase their ex's name, an offensive design, or a poorly done ink job.
#4
Many Will Find It A Very Unusual Design, But It Was Created By My Client 20 Years Ago And Has Great Meaning. The Proposal Was To Keep The Same Idea As The Design But Keeping It More Current
#5
Grampus Cover-Up
CG 2 years ago
Love the colour contrast. As someone not too familiar with constellations, is that constellation in the back supposed to be some sort of whale? If so, that's pretty cool.
AmusedPanda 2 years ago
The constellation is Leo, so I don't get the combo, but nice work nontheless.
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#6
25-Year-Old Rework. It Doesn’t Need To Be Always Fully Covered-Up
GlitterPanda 2 years ago
I love seeing re-works like this. It is so intriguing to see what a different artist comes up with to improve an existing piece.
However, removing every trace of a tattoo can be expensive, painful and time-consuming. Depending on the person's skin tone, the removal process might leave some scarring. That's caused by the loss of pigmentation.
Dermatologists say that the effectiveness varies individually: "Laser tattoo removal is a process that relies on the body eliminating ink from the skin which can take some time to process. While results will become apparent within a few weeks, it is not unusual for the body to take more than a year to completely eliminate ink."
#7
Check Out This Insane Cover-Up
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 2 years ago
I really like this. The three faces just look so interesting, like they have a great story to tell.
#8
This Is The Most Detailed Piece I Have Ever Done In Such A Short Span Of Time, Less Than A Month, 8 Sessions. Everything Below The Neck Is Healed
CG 2 years ago
While a great new tattoo, it's not covering the entirety of the old tattoo. Just look closer to the shoulder area on both sides. Sections of the old tattoo are still visible, and if I focus in, I can see the old tattoo still visible through the new one at certain places.
#9
Cover-Up By The Amazing Tata At Recycle Tattoo, Ho Chi Minh City
LokisLilButterknife 2 years ago
That is stunning! It looks like an illustration right out of a children's book.
Cover-up artists also recommend doing a few laser removal sessions before starting the coverup process. Chronic Ink writes that artists can cover up any tattoo, they just might need 2-3 removal sessions beforehand. "Doing a few removal sessions may lighten your tattoo, or bring your scarring down, so that the cover up tattoo has a better chance of really covering as if it were never there," the specialists at Tattoo Do write.
#10
Cover-Up Inspired By Van Gogh
#11
Many People Think That To Cover It They Need To Make A Much Larger Design, This Is Not A Rule, It All Depends On The Creation Of The Art
In this case, we mold the design to fit the cover to the millimeter.
#12
Long Journey Of The Tribal Cover-Up Comes To An End
Mardi-Louise Van Heerden 2 years ago
It looks like body paint, not a tattoo. Look at the paint on his sleeve.
A complete tattoo cover-up is not always the only option. Some people may choose to reinvent the existing design on their skin. There's a possibility to incorporate the old tattoo into the new design. Perhaps the best example is that drunken Pikachu painting himself that Jessica Baker redid several years ago.
#13
Well-Executed Cover-Up Project
#14
Cherry Blossom Butterfly Cover-Up By Me
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 2 years ago
The butterfly looks like it's taking off or landing.
#15
Homer Rework
A blast-over is also an option. That's a technique of putting a new tattoo on top of the old one without covering it completely. Tattoo Do writes that they can be especially eye-catching if the previous tattoo had light or faded colors. Then they can look similar to stained glass.
#16
Beautiful Cover-Up Tattoo
#17
I Took Advantage Of The Cat's Structure To Create A New Drawing And Also Took Into Account The Anatomy Of Her Body, Muscles, Tendons And Bones
A Nelson 2 years ago
I do too but I like them both. One is minimalistic and the other beautiful details
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Justin Smith 2 years ago
They aren talking about the cat but the clients bones and such. They took time to make sure the tattoo would look good even with the movement of their body.
Load More Replies... #18
Another Tribute Made To Lilith
The success of the cover-up also depends on the color of the previous design. Darker colors with a heavy use of ink are more difficult to cover up than light-colored tattoos.
"For example, it would be easier to do a cover-up of a tattoo done in the watercolor style than it would be to cover up a traditional style tattoo. In cases where stronger colors are used, your artist may recommend a fading first," the artists at Chronic Ink write.
#20
Cool Cover-Up
#21
Dr. Suess Cover-Up
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
I love all the bright and vibrant colors, would be nice if they stayed like that forever.
The next steps depend on what artist you choose for the coverup process. Some may like to give options of what is possible in each case. Others start by asking: "What would you like?" Electric Linda, founder of Attitude Tattoo Studio, is the proponent of the latter. "When I do cover ups, I want to make something that you really, really want," she says in her YouTube video.
#22
Covered-Up This Old Moon
Justin Smith 2 years ago
Love how its not a cover up as much as a fix really.
Load More Replies... #23
Cover-Up Done Today
Happy Homemaker 2 years ago
I love how it almost looks like the old tattoo, but a little more modern and more realistic looking.
#24
One Of The Most Challenging Covers I've Ever Done, Due To The Choice Of Design! In This Case, The Application Of Ink Was The Big Secret Behind This Coverage
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
Holy shizznit, absolutely gorgeous! Such an amazing piece of work, beautifully executed by a true artist. 😍
"When they do tell me what they want, I will have to look at what they had before," she goes on. "And think about all the ways that I can make this come true. And I just have to pick the one that will look the best. Almost anything is possible. You just have to be creative," the tattoo artist believes.
#25
Eventually It Could Use More White In Some Areas I Think But For Now We’ll Get To The Other Side Where I Have To Work On Top Of The Exact Same Tone And Structure
Ansi 2 years ago
CAN YOU TATTOO WHITE ON BLACK?!?!? 😲 That could save my tattoo I thought I had to cover up.
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
It appears so, may I ask how adding white to your tattoo will save you from a cover up or a blacked out tattoo. I wasn't this was a thing either, but I feel like that much blacked out is going to fade quite a bit and not look as nice as it does now.
Load More Replies... LokisLilButterknife 2 years ago
Wow, the cover-up tattoo is stunning. I understand that he will need to get it touched up as white ink doesn't last very long.
Deborah B 2 years ago
I'm so impressed by how they managed to transform the solid black. It's really striking. I don't particularly care fore the hands/eye design, but I imagine the technique could be used with lots of different imagery.The grey and black circles and raying lines are beautiful.
#26
After Cover-Up
Twizzle Sticks 2 years ago
“So tell me Joe, why do you have a Victorian era lantern tatted on your whole upper arm?”
#27
Cover-Up Davy Jones
Choosing an artist is a critical part of the tattoo cover-up process. You'll want a professional and experienced tattooist, but also one whose work you love. Chronic Ink lists trusting your artist as one of the main steps in getting a cover-up.
"Tattoo artists spend years perfecting their craft. If you can’t trust them to realize your vision, you’ll never be satisfied. Some doubt is natural, even healthy, but you have to trust your tattoo artist if the two of you are going to successfully collaborate and produce an incredible cover-up tattoo."
#28
It Looked Bad Before The Cover
XenoMurph 2 years ago
It's not terrible, just looks faded and old. That new one will be impossible to cover once it's as old.
Wysteria_Rose 2 years ago
Oof. I can't imagine getting tatted that high up and over my belly and ribs. My hip/side was bad enough.
#29
Bye Pigeon, Hello Eagle. Awesome Transformation With Part Cover-Up
nbfresh 2 years ago
i think it is actually very well matched...! everybody sees things differently, and how cool is that?
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#30
Spider Cover-Up
Blue Bunny of Happiness 2 years ago
I think I preferred the original, the cover up is too realistic!
There's another thing to keep in mind – the cover-up design will definitely be bigger than the old tattoo. Artists can only cover the existing outlines if they go over them. "Your cover up tattoo will need to be, at a minimum, the same size as the original," Removery claims. That's why laser removal is not such a bad choice – if the old design is big, people can remove part of the tattoo, and cover up the rest.
#31
That's How You Cover-Up A Tattoo
Germanami1986 2 years ago
I saw that on TV - the original Tattoo was the late mother of the „leg owner“. He was heartbroken about the Tattoo result. The Artist who covered it, is specialized in Portaits but couldn’t save the old tattoo and couldn’t cover it with the real the face. So, the decided to go ahead with the La Catrina - but they did use the mothers facial features. You could see it, if you held a picture of the mother against the new tattoo.
Jacky Newman 2 years ago
Was it a German show (horror Tattoos auf Pro7)? I think I remember 😅
Load More Replies... #32
Nasty Tribal Cover-Up Of A Greek God Poseidon
Holly Marley 2 years ago
It is amazing what can be done with white ink now, it didn't use to be so saturating, to cover that much black.
#33
Before And After
#34
3 Sessions On This Really Big Tattoo. Just To Give You An Idea The Customer Is 2 Meters High! All The Old Tattoo Was A Keloid And Now It’s Flat Again
K B. 2 years ago
I am confused. I thought I knew what keloids were, a problem where the skin forms excess scar tissue (as explained by a doctor) wherein further trauma has the same compounding result of causing even more scar tissue. Please, if anyone can explain, i am genuinely curious how a tattoo (more dermal trauma) could flatten this instead of making it worse. I was told these are almost impossible to remove because any cutting (or tiny stabbing) would make it worse.Tbh- I learned this 20 years ago when an ex had an infected keloid on his chest from an old stab wound (military accident, not crime related if anyone is wondering). Things can change in medicine and in how language is used, but yeah, if anyone has info, please share.
Lulu John 2 years ago
Maybe by adding depth, shading and definition it hides the scarring better?
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#35
Bull Cover-Up
Fickle_Pickle 2 years ago
I was advised by a good friend of mine who is a tattoo artist to never ever get hand tattoos. Reason being we wash our hands more often than the rest of our body. The ink will fade faster. Looking at this picture, I can say there’s some truth to what he said.
Rainstorm 2 years ago
there are also a lot of sensitive nerves in your hands, that probably hurt like b***h
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#36
Octopus On The Shoulder As A Cover-Up
#37
Lion Cover-Up
Emma London 2 years ago
The Before-pic was taken with a potato, and I smell a filter in that After photo.
#38
New One Had To Be A Little Wonky To Cover-Up The Original. Don’t Really Care Though, I Like It
Ąåřţđęşịɠŋȿ 2 years ago
what, exactly, was the first one supposed to be? What do the hands signify?
#39
Cover-Up
Paul Brown 2 years ago
Yes, it is. I got my first tattoo in 1975, the last one I got was just a couple years ago. The differences between then and now is amazing. Not only has tattoo art evolved, so have the inks, the tattoo machines and the artists.
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#40
Blast-Over Tattoo Before And After
Got this moon tattoo when I was 16 and finally got it covered-up at 26. Some of it is still visible but I don’t mind. What do you think?
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
I can't see the original moon in the new tat, I even put a little effort into trying to find where it was still visible..haha. OP will likely be the only one to notice any of the original. Very nice cover up imo.
CG 2 years ago
I can see a little in the leaf directly above the leopard's (?) head.
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#41
Cover-Up I Did
Firstname Lastname 2 years ago
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 2 years ago
I want to get a tattoo of Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.” I love me some irony.
#42
Cover-Up In Progress
Emma London 2 years ago
I'm just wondering if with this little light areas and no outlines, the whole tattoo will turn into a one massive colorful blob in a few years.
#43
I’ve Done This Cover-Up
#44
Bad Decisions Begone
I got the original back when I was 18, as a fan of this series who didn’t want the same thing everyone else was getting. I grew up and realised the less than savoury parallels being drawn between this and another IRL symbol of hatred, and also I don’t align with the beliefs of the creator of the series, so it had to go. So I went and got it covered-up finally. I’m feeling good today.
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
Can someone please help me out and tell this apparently unwoke panda which series OP is talking about?
Justin Smith 2 years ago
Its the Dark Mark from Harry Potter. It was the symbol dor the Death Eaters, who are very much magical nazis.
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#45
Exclusive Art Created For Simone, Who After Carrying Out Some Laser Removal Sessions Came To Me For A Cover-Up
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
I initially thought it was just a poorly executed tat of a stethoscope but now I'm wondering if it was supposed to be an infinity symbol as well?
VonBlade 2 years ago
Obviously decided not to be/marry a doctor after all. Because that's EXPENSIVE for such a tiny tiny tattoo.
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
Not necessarily, OP still could have become a doctor or a nurse? Maybe works in cardiology, hence the heart cover up. Also kinda a weird tattoo to get just because you married a doctor, IMHO.
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#46
If You Save At The Wrong End, You End Up Paying Twice. Let Us Advise You So That You Don't Regret Your Tattoo At Some Point
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
I don't think the original was supposed to be a celebrity or someone others would recognize, but wtaf is going on with the weird black smudges in random directions all around their face?? Like idk what that's even supposed to be??
Petra 2 years ago
The hair - or whatever it's supposed to be - is strange too. The whole thing is honestly a bit creepy. I'm glad he was able to get a cover-up!
Load More Replies... #47
Correcting Someone Else's Work, That Was Also A Cover. There Was A Dragon Above The Thumb. Choose A Master Carefully And Be Sure To Look At Their Work
CG 2 years ago
The issue with hand tattoos is that they'll fade very quickly compared to tattoos placed on other areas. That old tattoo is likely to be visible again in a few years.
Upstaged75 2 years ago
Tattoos on your palms/fingers fade quickly. The back or your hand is just like the rest of your skin.
Load More Replies... ifound_acoolfrog 2 years ago
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#48
Cover-Up Tattoo
#49
I’ve Always Wanted Somebody To Read My Skin And Get A Little Peak Into My Life And Interests And This Was The Only Tattoo That Didn’t Really Feel Like It Should Be In My “Book”
John Murphy 2 years ago
i personally dont get the "getting tattoos for other people" train of thought which this person seems to have. My tattoos are for me. When you get tattoos so other people can see them, eventually youll hate them. I have sleeves and 95% of the time I wear long sleeves over my sleeves, my art is for me and no one else.
#50
In Progress, 90% Done
Emma London 2 years ago
I like the original more. But maybe his sense of aesthetics changed over time.
#51
Neck Cover-Up
#52
This Is Just Impressive
#53
Tattoo Cover-Up
Tabula Rasa 2 years ago
Personally, I'm not a big fan of this much black, but it's cute and well done.
#54
Covered My Birth Giver's Handwriting I No Longer Speak To. I'm Finally Happy In A Swimsuit Again
Kobe (she) 2 years ago
Seems you put wisdom and courage together and made the change needed - well done
#56
Did This Cover-Up Tattoo Recently, With A Warrior Tattoo
Skullface VonHornhelm 2 years ago
I don't know what he's going to do with that bow when he has a shield in his other hand and no arrows.
Nova Cat 2 years ago
Hit people over the head with it? Or throw it at them as a distraction? lol
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#58
I Started This Project A While Ago With Huge Cover-Up/Rework Of Octopus
Justin Smith 2 years ago
Love that this one just add color and texture to te existing framework.
#59
Cute Black Swan With Yellow Tulips
#60
This Awesome Octopus Cover-Up Project
CG 2 years ago
Maybe they still like the band, but maybe not so much that old tattoo.
Load More Replies... S. E. in Indiana 2 years ago
All I am saying is don't get mad when people stare. You are stuck with that on your head for life!
VonBlade 2 years ago
Anyone who is a top knot wanker probably doesn't care.
Load More Replies... #61
Covered-Up Old Tattoo, Took Only One Year To Finish
Tabula Rasa 2 years ago
One year sounds like a long time... But I guess with this much detail, and healing time in between... Not a tattoo I'd get, but I'm always impressed by tattoos that look so 3-dimensional.
#62
Here’s A Little More Of Steve’s Ongoing American Native/Wildlife Sleeve I Am Working On. Quite Challenging Cover-Up All Around Included
#64
Wanted Athena Anyway So Covered It Up With That
#65
Covered The Linework. In Order To Cover It Naturally Without Making It Too Big, Sometimes I Work Free-Hand Without Using A Transfer
#66
Reform And Coverage, Directly From Maranhão, In Some Cases We Can Use The Old Tattoo To Maintain The Essence Of The Design
Another detail of this work is that I adapted the drawing for darker skin, that is, increasing the contrasts (more black, and more spaces with free skin without tattooing) in addition to avoiding using light gray.
#68
Cover-Up
#70
Cover-Up Tattoo
#71
Ringwraith Cover-Up
#72
Cover-Up In Progress, I Couldn’t Wait Till It Was Colored To Share
#73
Transformation Of The Wolf, Cover-Up Made A Few Years Ago
#74
Just Amazing, Wow
#75
Before And After. Cover-Ups Aren't Magic, They're Just A Rad Illusion
Tabula Rasa 2 years ago
While I'd never get this tattoo, the cover-up was done very skillfully, and without making that tattoo super big.
#79
Covered-Up My Sick Bull
CG 2 years ago
I think the background is supposed to be a mandala. The front... a horse tail?
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Polterbean 2 years ago
They look beautiful but for many I am worried how they will look in the future.
Tabula Rasa 2 years ago
As mentioned in my previous comments: a very skilled artist, working with high-quality machines and inks, plus really good, life-long, aftercare by the customer have a huge influence on how well a tattoo ages.
Load More Replies... Tabula Rasa 2 years ago
Btw: great aftercare includes sunscreen..!! People seem to have no idea how much damage prolonged sun exposure without proper protection will do to their skin, and therefore to their tattoos..! Before people get a big, gorgeous (and expensive) tattoo, they should be aware that for the tattoo to look great for a long time, they have to commit to a lifelong aftercare regimen.
Diolla 2 years ago
I have only black n grey high-contrast tattoos because I KNOW they will get lots of sun and fade. I actually like that aged look and design them accordingly.
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Dariusz M. D. 2 years ago
Unbelievable rendering skills, use of colour, shading. But, why are they all so tacky?
DP Nerill 2 years ago
I've often wondered, given how vivid and realistic the ink colours can be, what about the artist using the person's skin colour to cover a bad tattoo? Although over time there might be a difference in aging skin colours, it might look more natural and easily overlooked than a high-contrast tattoo. I would think for a face tattoo, this might be preferred than erasing. Can anyone with experience wade in and say whether or not this is a viable alternative to covering a bad/unwanted tattoo.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
So many coverups and not a single swastika. A lot of former white supremacists get their old tats covered over when they realize they were involved with something so stupid and evil. I guess BP decided to screen those out. Understandable.
CG 2 years ago
I think its likely BP opting not to put them on there, which I understand. I know Ink Master had a whole challenge dedicated to the artists covering up Swastikas and other hateful imagery on one episode. This is possibly a guess on my part, but maybe some people laser off Swastika tattoos?
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Polterbean 2 years ago
They look beautiful but for many I am worried how they will look in the future.
Tabula Rasa 2 years ago
As mentioned in my previous comments: a very skilled artist, working with high-quality machines and inks, plus really good, life-long, aftercare by the customer have a huge influence on how well a tattoo ages.
Load More Replies... Tabula Rasa 2 years ago
Btw: great aftercare includes sunscreen..!! People seem to have no idea how much damage prolonged sun exposure without proper protection will do to their skin, and therefore to their tattoos..! Before people get a big, gorgeous (and expensive) tattoo, they should be aware that for the tattoo to look great for a long time, they have to commit to a lifelong aftercare regimen.
Diolla 2 years ago
I have only black n grey high-contrast tattoos because I KNOW they will get lots of sun and fade. I actually like that aged look and design them accordingly.
Load More Replies... Dariusz M. D. 2 years ago
Unbelievable rendering skills, use of colour, shading. But, why are they all so tacky?
DP Nerill 2 years ago
I've often wondered, given how vivid and realistic the ink colours can be, what about the artist using the person's skin colour to cover a bad tattoo? Although over time there might be a difference in aging skin colours, it might look more natural and easily overlooked than a high-contrast tattoo. I would think for a face tattoo, this might be preferred than erasing. Can anyone with experience wade in and say whether or not this is a viable alternative to covering a bad/unwanted tattoo.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
So many coverups and not a single swastika. A lot of former white supremacists get their old tats covered over when they realize they were involved with something so stupid and evil. I guess BP decided to screen those out. Understandable.
CG 2 years ago
I think its likely BP opting not to put them on there, which I understand. I know Ink Master had a whole challenge dedicated to the artists covering up Swastikas and other hateful imagery on one episode. This is possibly a guess on my part, but maybe some people laser off Swastika tattoos?
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