Vanliga frågor

Can you do a cover-up on any tattoo?

Before getting a cover-up tattoo, there are several factors to consider and take into account.

What should you consider before a cover-up tattoo?

• Size
• Color(s)
• Age
• Design
• Choosing a tattoo artist who specializes in cover-ups
  
  

Size

The size of the tattoo you want to cover will determine the size of your cover-up tattoo. Typically, a slightly larger tattoo is required to effectively cover an area. If your existing tattoo has many smaller details or text that you don't want to be visible, this must be planned into the new design.

Color(s)

Faded tattoos are generally the easiest to cover up. Even though tattoos naturally fade over the years, in most cases, laser removal is needed beforehand. If a tattoo is not sufficiently faded before the new tattoo is applied, there is a risk that the old color will show through.

If the tattoo you want to cover has many colors, it can be more challenging to conceal. Consult with your tattoo artist about the colors in your tattoo that might show through. In some cases, more laser treatments may be necessary to remove enough pigment for a good final result.

Black ink is often simply covered with black ink; darker tones (like blue or brown) can also work, but light colors cannot cover black at all. Therefore, it’s important to lighten the tattoo beforehand to minimize the visibility of the black.

Age

Older tattoos are often lighter and more blurred, making them easier to cover with a new design. A small new tattoo may be significantly harder to cover than a larger 30-year-old tattoo.

Design

One of the most important aspects of a cover-up is finding a design that works to conceal the old one. Detailed tattoos are often more difficult to cover than those with just a few lines or solid colors. This may result in the new cover-up tattoo needing to be highly detailed. 

Choosing a tattoo artist who specializes in cover-ups

Getting a cover-up is not an easy task. Even if a tattoo artist is incredibly skilled at a particular type of design, they may lack experience with cover-ups. A cover-up is not a blank canvas; it often requires more work. Think of it as trying to renovate a 100-year-old house where only a few parts of the foundation can be replaced. Despite this, you want to create a new living room where the toilet and shower currently are. It may require entirely different colors or blends for the new tattoo to look right.

If the artist lacks the experience or understanding needed for this, it could lead to yet another cover-up, or perhaps the tattoo might need to be completely removed in the future.

Once you’ve chosen a tattoo artist for your cover-up, they will advise you on how faded the tattoo should be for the result to be good, and a laser specialist can assist you with lightening the tattoo. Therefore, choose a tattoo artist whose style you feel comfortable with and who has experience with cover-ups.

By considering these five factors before deciding to get a cover-up tattoo, you can achieve a truly great result.