5 tips for a cover up tattoo

If you've read through the process of how a cover up works and feel confident in your choice to do a cover up instead of removing the tattoo completely**, then it's time to get started.

Rethink gives you 5 tips for your cover up tattoo

1. Choose a design that suits your old tattoo
2. Build on the tattoo you already have
3. Be prepared to need to "go up a size"
4. Follow aftercare for laser and after you've done your tattoo
5. Do your research regarding tattoo artists

1. Choose a design that suits your old tattoo

Cover ups work best when the design resembles or covers the old design of the tattoo. If you have a red rose that you don't like, it's easier to do something that can contain parts of the red rose than trying to turn it into a blue dolphin. Be realistic when choosing your motif and dare to ask for advice from the pros.

2. Build on the tattoo you already have

As we mentioned with the rose above, the next tip is to build on what you already have. Look at how you can make the tattoo more detailed, add colors, or enlarge the tattoo without it becoming a black lump that has to cover the old one.

3. Be prepared to need to "go up a size"

You will have to have a new tattoo that is AT LEAST the size of your previous one, if not a little larger depending on the motif. If you can't imagine having a larger tattoo in the area, then it's probably best to go back to the drawing board and consider more laser treatments so more of the tattoo disappears.

4. Follow the care instructions after laser treatment

It may take a couple of treatments before your tattoo is ready for a cover up. Be sure to take care of your skin between treatments by following the care instructions given by the laser specialist. Make sure to apply SPF50 so you don't damage your skin by burning in the sun and keep the area free from infections and scars by not picking or scratching after treatment. That way, your skin is whole and healthy when the tattoo artist puts the needle in it.

5. Do your research regarding tattoo artists

There are a plethora of tattoo artists and unfortunately, not all of them are the best or most experienced when it comes to doing cover ups. They may be incredibly talented at their motifs and skin that hasn't had a tattoo before. An experienced cover up tattoo artist understands how ink can be mixed and motifs matched to make it look good even after a couple of years.

Dare to ask for previous examples of cover ups done and ask around at several studios before making your decision. A tattoo sits forever, which you also signed up for when you got the first one, so make sure that the one who will sit over your old one will be of the best quality from an expert who knows their stuff.

Questions you can ask tattoo artists when you do your research are:

1. How do you feel about doing cover up tattoos?
2. How many cover ups have you done before?
3. Do you have any before and after pictures of cover up tattoos you've done?
4. Is the number of laser treatments I've done enough? Or do you wish for more to be done for the new motif to be the best?

Ready to begin the process for a cover up?
Book a time with one of our laser specialists