Cover-Up Tattoos: Laser Lightening and Design Choices

When you get a tattoo, you hope it’s going to be something you’ll love and be proud to show off for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Whether it was a series of bad tattoos, matching ink with an ex, or a design you just simply don’t like, there are options to change your tattoo into something you do love. Cover-up tattoos are a great option for these situations. In fact, about 5% of the U.S. population has chosen to cover up a tattoo with a new one. So if this is something you’re considering, keep reading to learn more about cover-up tattoos.

Laser lightening may be necessary. When it comes to cover-up tattoos, there’s a good chance you’ll have to go through some tattoo removal steps before the ink can be covered. The level of lightening you’ll need will depend on how thick the linework is, how dark it is, and overall how heavily shaded it is. Tattoo removal steps can help lighten the ink, making it easier to cover. Fortunately, most tattoos only need a few sessions to be lightened enough to be covered up properly. But keep laser lightening in mind when thinking about a cover-up.

You’ll probably have to go bigger. No matter the size of your original ink, there’s a good chance that you’re going to have to go bigger for your cover-up tattoo. Tattoo artists usually have to go bigger in order to ensure the original ink is fully covered. Fortunately, going a bit bigger gives you more freedom when it comes to design and style of your cover-up. If you’re nervous about going bigger, talk to your artist about what size the new ink will have to be to effectively cover the old tattoo. It’s important to remember that your artist will know what is going to look and cover best.

Be mindful of color selection. Unfortunately, the colors in your existing tattoo will determine which colors can be used in the cover-up. This can be another great reason to consider laser lightening before a cover-up, as that can help lessen the brightness of the colors and open more options for cover-up colors. Generally, the cover-up tattoo is going to have to consist of darker colors to fully cover what’s underneath. But this doesn’t mean your design options are limited! If you choose a good artist, they’ll be able to give you a colorful piece and still show no signs of what’s underneath.

Getting a cover-up tattoo can be a long process, especially for big, bold pieces. But with the help of a few tattoo removal steps and a great artist, you can have a new tattoo that you can really be proud of.