Covering scars with a tattoo.

[rosehiptea]

Time and Place: Roughly current time, northeast U.S. (probably Maine) Can make it somewhere else if it makes a big difference.

Googled: tattoos to cover scars, checked the Body Modification e-zine FAQ on tattooing and tried searching on the same term and on "scars" there.

Comments

[cat_77]

When I got my tattoo, years ago at a place on campus, a girl came in wanting a tattoo to cover a large burn that covered about a third of her arm. The artist explained to her a couple things she would want to take into account when getting it including:
- the skin may be more sensitive to the pain of the needle
- it may require a different healing time and more care during that healing time
- the colors may end up a bit different than originally anticipated
- the colors may fade differently over time
- depending on the type of scar, you may not be able to get the same detail and the image may be a bit softer/blurry as the different skin textures take the ink
- some scars will not take the ink well at all
- you may need touch ups as the scar fades or heals over time (years) and the colors fade and blur with the process

Short answer: it is possible, but there are extra factors to consider when scar tissue is involved.

Hope that helps?

[rosehiptea]

That helps a lot. Thank you.

[the_physicist]

just to add, the tattoo might not need to cover the scar very well for it to have the effect of reclaiming that area of skin so it doesn't remind her of the incident any more.

[rosehiptea]

Thanks - that's really what I'm going for here -- she wants to help herself view her body differently, not necessarily make it so no one would ever possibly suspect the scar.

[tabaqui]

My SO has been tattooing for twenty-something years, and in that time he's covered plenty of scars. But what six_dollar_baby said is true - scar tissue is different, and you'll always be able to *see* that difference in texture. Harder to see, obviously, when covered by the ink, and in some cases *very* hard to see. If you can feel the difference pre-tattoo, you'll still be able to feel that post-tattoo.

My SO will only cover older scars, as very fresh ones are still changing and will either distort or destroy parts of the new tattoo. So six-month-old scars are pretty much out, six year old scars, no worries.

It's not so much 'reputable tattooists' but tattooists with the ability to do it and the knowledge. Scar tissue is *different*, and the local scratcher who does a tattoo for twenty bucks and some pot will not only not have a clue, but probably end up making things worse. An experienced tattooist is the *best* choice for work of that kind.

[rosehiptea]

Thank you; that helps a lot. I can set the fic well after she got the scars. And she'll be OK with the scars not being invisible -- as the comment above said she just wants to reclaim the area.

[fallenandlost76]

I have a bigger scar on my leg, covered a bit with the background of two tattoos... I´ll take a pic and post if you want, so you can see what´s possible and what not.... the scar was from 1998 and I got it covered autumn 2009 I guess... if you want, drop me a note and I´ll send you pic.....

[rosehiptea]

I sent you a note. Thank you very much!

[fallenandlost76]

I just sent you an e-mail. :-)

[fallenandlost76]

can you send me a pic?i have a flat scar on my legs and i want to cover it up with tattoo