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“Chicks dig scars,” is something I often heard growing up, and strangely enough, this weird generalization helped me to accept and embrace the scar I had foolishly gotten myself above my right eye.

But dated stereotypes can't come to the rescue for everyone, and some people have scars that affect not only their self-esteem about their appearance but bring back genuinely traumatic memories every time they see them. Others are born with birthmarks no one asked for.  Being devilishly difficult things to erase sometimes, often the best way to take back control of your body image is by incorporating your marks into something positive, something that you chose yourself. Tattoo artists are incredibly talented and creative people who can often relish the extra challenge of working with a scar or a birthmark to create something truly unique. This list compiled by Bored Panda is full of beautiful, funny and downright genius ways that tattoos have transformed old wounds and marks, and healed some of the mental scars that came with them. Scroll down below to check them out for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!

#1

Scar-Birthmark-Tattoo-Cover-Ups

Eric Catalano Report

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Mark
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I looked at right hand picture first and thought "what?"

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ƒιѕн
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one confused me for a minute, had to look at the pic a while to figure it out, great work.

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Peta_C
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This actually brought tears to my eyes. Beyond excellence.

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Wina Jackson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First I don't realized what's happening here. Until I understand the nails must be the tattoos. Incredible

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glowworm2
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, that's amazing. You can't even tell the difference.

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Yassin Haussler
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh myyyy goood, It took me minutes to understand what happened, REALLY impressive!

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Charly Bubb
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh NOW I got it - the left one is NOT the tattoed version! :o

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Effseven Six
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That must have hurt something fierce. Looks real good though, I had to look twice. If I saw that guy around I NEVER would have known.

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Alusair Alustriel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That made me awe. Seriously good job and saving so much "OMG what happened to you?!" situations.

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Dorothy Parker
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brilliant. Not unlike the artists who create nipples for some breast cancer survivors.

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Cheryl Hopper
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was looking on the main hand for the tats. The fingers didn't even register for a good minute or two. A+ work!

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diane a
Community Member
5 years ago

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Jazmyn Wenger
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are those fingernails TATTOOS?? If so, they look so realistic!

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Rare Cuts
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a change that will have brought to that person's life

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Kevs Build
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I admit to not seeing what was done there at first, brilliant workmanship.

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Sharon Palmer
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, that's amazing! My daughter is missing a big toe nail that she's very conscious of, this may be the way forward

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Wanda Parker
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to stare at the picture to try and work it out, amazing handy work x

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Sian Edwards
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. Wouldn't even have noticed! Took several seconds to work out!

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Helmi Flick
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perfect! Like others, I didn’t see the difference looking at the image on the right!

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Brittany Poventud
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love it! And I know it's done for shadow....but the dark line for under the nail makes my brain scream "clean under your nails!" 😂

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Jodi Ellis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen this one before and each time it amazes me the difference when it is complete. It looks like a normal hand and would never know part of his or her fingers are amputated. The artist did a spectacular job.

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Cymon
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eric Catalano, Eternal Ink, 111 N Main St, Hecker, IL 62248 (618) 719-3273

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VINCENT NATELLI
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5 years ago

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Not too good the fingers are the wrong length and who has square finger tips!

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VINCENT NATELLI
Community Member
5 years ago

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Not too good the finger lengths are all wrong and who has square fingers!

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#6

Birthmark Tattoo

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Kaisu Rei
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is such a clever idea, not hiding the birthmark while still keeping the tattoo fun!

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#8

Made Use Out Of A Birthmark

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Kaisu Rei
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so funny and clever too, making your birthmark even more unique!

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#9

Scar-Birthmark-Tattoo-Cover-Ups

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Valereee
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG! All I can think of is the pain his burn caused... But the pain he suffered for that gorgeous tattoo had to help take the mental pain away !

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#16

Scar-Birthmark-Tattoo-Cover-Ups

"Face your demons" tattoo

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Smackiex
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is my favorite ❤️ love the art work and the meaning behind it. Just beautiful. :)

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#17

Scar-Birthmark-Tattoo-Cover-Ups

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Dani
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so pretty on its own! And it does a brilliant job to cover up the scar

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#19

Scar-Birthmark-Tattoo-Cover-Ups

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#22

Scar-Birthmark-Tattoo-Cover-Ups

jattoos Report

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Laugh Fan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband could have that one on his thigh!! Shame he's really not into tattoos. :(

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