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Tattoos mean different things to different people around the world. For some they're nothing more than a fashion statement, while others get them for cultural reasons, like the Māori for instance. Many get them as a memento of a time, place, or person. But some people choose to get a tattoo for an entirely different reason, such as to cover up a scar for example.

Check out this list compiled by Bored Panda, and our previous one, to see for yourself what we mean. Some of them conceal the scar tissue completely, while others cleverly interact with them, turning what was once something considered unsightly into something truly beautiful. Don't forget to vote for your favorite! (h/t: Revelist)

#1

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#2

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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John L
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This clearly proves the saying that "Less is More". I like it. ;D

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#3

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Danika Strong
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have keloid scars everywhere on my body, all of the ones that were stitched have stayed ever since the one that was done when I was 9, I am 28 now.

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#6

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Nancy E
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is how post back surgery looks once the suture scars disappear. Like the choice in tattoo.

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#9

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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person (i think)
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does tattooing over scar tissue like this hurt more than normal or is it about the same?

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#10

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Nancy E
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would guess a foot neuroma. I have the same scar , minus the tattoo. It's a good one !

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#17

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

“What inspired me to get tattoos to cover my scars was so whenever I was down or having a bad day, I could look down at my newly painted arm and remember that overcoming something can lead to beautiful things. My next step is to cover the scars of my other arm and my leg. It’s never easy, but by getting them covered up, it’s a little bit like closure.” — Lauren S.

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Silent Skeleton
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad you were able to stop, and I love the reasoning behind getting the tattoo :o)

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#25

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

“I got a Sylvia Plath tattoo. She’s my absolute favorite poet/author. Her quote ‘I am. I am. I am’ (from her book ‘The Bell Jar’) symbolizes that suicide could’ve been the end for me, but I’m here, ‘I am’ I am here, I am alive and I am determined to get through this. The cat is Sylvia’s drawing called ‘Curious French Cat’ and it also symbolizes self-harm and depression — but how it’s not the answer anymore.” — Shannon P.

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jacluckycat
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Bell Jar was like reading a narrative of my own mind. That book means so much to me. Love the tattoo.

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#26

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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jacluckycat
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have this exact same scar except I have two little holes next to it where the drainage tubes were. Never tattooed it, though.

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#27

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

“I saw this quote back when I was in seventh grade. I knew one day that I will have this tatted on me. I didn’t start self-harming until sophomore year in high school. As a freshmen in college last year, I finally got this quote on my body.” — Zari S.

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#31

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Annette Wendel
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the fact that the scar actually wasnt covered up, but instead the tatoo kind of circles around it, making the scar part of it

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#39

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Lakia Hawkins
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful, can't even tell there was a scar with the way the tattoo is done

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#40

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

Typical Hungarian tulip, that we can observe as an element on traditional furniture decoration, used to cover up a deep scar left after an ateroma removal.

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#42

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Laury M.
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do note that the nipple is also tattooed on. Some artists have made a specialty of tattooing nipples for women who have to undergo a mastectomy because of breast cancer :)

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#43

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Lakia Hawkins
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's great but they should have shaded in the older tattoo with more color because it's fading

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#44

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#45

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

Lady came in today with this gnarly scar from skin cancer and all she wanted was to hide it even if it didnt hold up.

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#46

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

“Self-harm was a way I coped with my depressive and suicidal episodes. I would feel all this anger built up inside of me and I wanted to find some kind of release. But with depression, I wanted to hurt myself because I felt like I deserved it. So, my arms would almost be covered in cuts daily. It all started with a small cut as a cry for help, but very quickly turned into an addiction. When I had motivation to get better, I wanted something beautiful on my arm to cover these scars up. Now, I have a tattoo that says ‘This too shall pass’ with a peony that symbolizes healing. Whenever I have urges to self-harm, I instantly look to my arm to where I usually cut and I see this beautiful tattoo with a meaningful message and I just cry it out until the feeling has passed. It has helped me, and has also sparked up the conversation of mental health with others! It’s more than just a tattoo, it’s my journey to recovery.” — Reshmi C.

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#48

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Jhoa
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful. Despite all those wonderful tattooos before it, this ismy favourite.

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#49

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

This is my second tattoo, done on June 5, 2012. I came across this phrase a few months ago and knew right away that I wanted it done. To make a very long story short, I’ve gone through many surgeries, severe allergies, and overall tons of health issues throughout my life (you can sort of see part of my main scar here that goes across my entire stomach and bottom left side). The number one reaction I hate getting is one like “Poor Lauren, that’s so terrible, I feel so bad for you!”. I don’t like to be pitied and felt sorry for over issues that I cannot control. I was born with what life gave me, and I’ve always just dealt with it without sitting around and feeling sorry for myself or wanting pity from others.

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#51

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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The Cube Cat
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how it turns the scar into a reminder , instead of trying to hide it

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#54

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Kira Thesloth
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like she's lost weight in the second picture. Good for her if that's the case, if not then that tattoo is awesome on multiple levels!

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#59

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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piggy panda
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bast one it is absolutely beautiful and is simple in color but complex in design love it

#63

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

She received that scar from a nasty car accident. It was the other persons fault! Thankfully i was able to work over the scar, some can be super difficult to work on.

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#70

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Andrea Van Delden
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I see your scars I feel your pain. When I see your tattoo I feel your strength!

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#75

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Fred Vanderbom
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This tattoo gives me a good start for my stomach scar - thanks!

#77

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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criminalgirl
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's superb surgery by the way, perfect closure. Pity no colour in the rose.

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#79

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Crystal Guider
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing how the vines are used to cover the scaring. It just makes it appear 3d. It really gives it life.

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#84

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Cathy Hurd
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll have to remember this (I'm looking at a 3rd back surgery, 2 lumbar the next will be cervical)

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#86

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#87

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Emily Rose
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a huge scar on my leg from multiple surgeries... these make me what to get tattooed so bad!

#89

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#90

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Lux Lucis
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I LOVE Pierce The Veil! A Match Into Water is one of my favorite songs, and I really, really love that quote. Probably my favorite one so far :)

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#91

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Denise
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so sad that so many of us have done the to ourselves . These amazing tattoos can help us let go of the past and move forward

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#92

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#93

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

In the legend of Zelda, particularly in the ocarina of time and majoras mask, you can capture pink recovery fairies in bottles and release them to heal you. If you die while you're in battle and you have a recovery fairy, it will automatically revive you, effectively giving yourself another chance to beat the boss. I got my tattoo as a reminder to myself that even though i don't have a recovery fairy on hand, there's still hope and I don't still have another chance to try.

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#96

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#97

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Desiree Summer
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to get a mandala type flower like that to cover my self harm scars on my wrist, and this is beautiful inspiration!

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#99

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#102

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#103

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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GPZ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s an awful scar from a tummy tuck but beautiful work to disguise it

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#105

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#109

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#113

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#114

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#115

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#116

Zipper Over Scar

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Robyn Zelickson
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it'd be a good one to cover a heart surgery scar. It would represent the fact that you're a member of the zipper club.

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#117

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#119

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#120

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#121

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#122

I Haven't Self Harmed Since I Got This, About 2 Months Ago.the Semi Colon Represents Suicide Awareness. When A Writer Uses A Semicolon, They Could Have Ended The Sentence, But They Didn't. You Are The Author. The Sentence Is Your Life. The Ekg Heartbeat Is For When I Contemplated Suicide.

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

I Haven’t Self Harmed Since I Got This, About 2 Months Ago.the Semi Colon Represents Suicide Awareness. When A Writer Uses A Semicolon, They Could Have Ended The Sentence, But They Didn’t. You Are The Author. The Sentence Is Your Life. The Ekg Heartbeat Is For When I Contemplated Suicide.

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#123

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#124

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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Donna Oades
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how the bigger scars are used for the white shading, it all blends so well!

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#125

I Broke My Back In A Paragliding Accident. The Tattoo Tells The Story Of How I Crashed, And The Recovery After. Nobody Notices The Scar Anymore. 😊

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

I broke my back in a paragliding accident. The tattoo tells the story of why I crashed, and everything I learned from it. Nobody notices my scar anymore. 😊

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#126

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#128

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#129

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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James Peters
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very nice, stylized, and refined -- this should still GOOD in years to come -- do not color it or add any more to it!

#130

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#131

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#132

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#139

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#140

Bringing Beauty From Pain

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#143

My Chiari Malformation Tattoo

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#144

Colorful New Beginning

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#145

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#146

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#147

Although My Cuts Aren't As Bad As Some, I Got A Tattoo On My Left Arm, Bc It Was My Go To Arm. It Really Has Helped Me To Not Cut Anymore, To Breathe Or Cry It Out . My Own Cardiac Rhythm, And Semicolon.

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Nicolas Letarte
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw another similar heart beat tattoo. The woman told it was her baby's lasts beats printed out from the electro-cardiograph. Very sad.

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#149

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#150

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#153

I Don't Have One Of The Scar. But You Can See A Hint Of It. I Broke My Arm, But Everyone Believes It Was Self Harm. The Only Thing Is, That I Would Not Cut. I Tried Other Ways. Here Is My Husband's Heart Beat And A Semicolon. #projectsemicolon

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Nicolas Letarte
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6 years ago

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At first, I thought he fall in a Coma in the middle. But it was just a Semicolon!

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#154

Covering Teenage Scars

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#155

Covers Scares From Years Of Self Harm

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#156

Self Harm Scars Covered.

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#157

Tree Of Life

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#159

Chiari Awareness Zipper Ribbon

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Magpie
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am guessing the purple ribbon is for " domestic" * violence. Admiring the bravery. ............ In Australia it is white ribbons. * as if violence is tamed. i say partner violence.

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#161

30 Year Old Scar

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#162

Scars Tattoo Cover Up

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#163

Scar Turned Into Tattoo

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#164

Covering My Scar Down My Arm

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#166

Some Of The Most Beautiful Things Are The Things That Cant Be Seen

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#168

I Was In A Car Accident In 2005, I Broke My Left Wrist And Shattered My Right Foot. No Tattoos On My Feet But I Got This On My Wrist, It's To Cover Up The Scar And The Other Tattoo I Had Before.

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#169

Old Scars

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#171

A Recent Tattoo I Did Covering A Large Surgery Scar

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#172

Colorful New Beginning

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#173

Hiding The Scars

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#175

#180

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#176

Tattoo Over 40 Year Old Scald! Tattoo By Chris Hallam

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#177

After Cutting Myself And Gone Through Therapy To Heel The Wounds Of My Childhood I Wanted A Symbol Of Life Covering My Scars

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GPZ
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love the inverted colour above and below the “ground”

#179

Heart Surrounds The Scar

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#180

Covering My Birthmark

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#181

Done By Misti At Generation X Nevada Mo

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#182

Warrior Against Crohns'

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#183

Hot Air Balloon

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#184

22 Stitches Down My Wrist Cover By Beautiful Flowers 🌺

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#186

Nine Tails.

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#187

Ariel Mermaid

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#188

After Years Of Closet Cutting, It Is All Art

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#190

Moving In A New Direction In Life.

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#192

Self Harm.

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#193

Blooming Lotus.

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#194

Backbone Of The Tree..

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#195

The Body Is The Scar.

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#197

The Claws Are Scars.

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#198

One Of My Self Harm Cover Up Pieces And My Favorite Piece At That. It's A Daily Reminder Of A Promise I Made To Myself And My Road To Recovery.

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GPZ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hoping that the transformation from razors to butterflies is as beautiful and incredible as that you experienced in your life

#199

Zipper Tattoo

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#200

Spot The Scar

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#201

Got This Flowers When I Overcame Self Harm. It Also Says "life" In Spanish.

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#202

Got After My First Back Surgery, Guess Need More.

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#203

Wedding Bells

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#206

A Daily Reminder

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

After the loss of my daughter at 4 1/2 months to SIDS I lost a large part of myself... My failed suicide attempt left both of my arms with severe scars & I needed something to remind me to keep going, and honor my daughter's memory. I haven't self harmed in a little over a year — baby steps.

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