Tattoos are special and require a lot of preparation and research beforehand. Of course, there are plenty of people that jump right in without much notice. Those people are just as valid. But there’s nothing to fear if you know the basics for those who prefer to be prepared.
One of the most common, popular, and meaningful reasons people get tattoos is to cover up a scar. The reason they do this is just as personal as getting a regular tattoo. Each person has their reasons for doing what they do and getting tattooed in their places. That said, scar cover-up tattoos may require more preparation than regular tattoos.
Whatever your reasons are, if this is your first tattoo, you must have many questions.
Here are some of the most important things you should know about tattoos to cover up scars:
When Can I Get Tattooed?
Everyone heals differently. Depending on the type of scar you have, you may have to wait either just a few months or a few years before you can get a tattoo to cover it up. Scar tissue can be tricky. Before deciding on anything, make sure to consult your doctor or a dermatologist.
Get their honest opinion and recommendation on whether you should get a tattoo in that area. Getting a tattoo over your scar is not intrinsically more dangerous or risky than non-scarred areas. It’s all about timing.
Your scar must be completely healed before you can even consider getting a tattoo. If you get one before the skin is fully healed, it can lead to severe damage, infection, or even worse. Be sure to talk it over with your artist as well.
How Do I Choose an Artist?
The person you choose to do your tattoo is essential in ensuring that it turns out well. Ideally, you should find someone who has experience working on scarred tissue and has successfully worked on similar projects.
While every artist has something unique and special to offer their clients, working with someone with experience will be better. Not only can they provide valuable advice and insight when it comes to design, but they can also help assure you when it comes to technique and comfort.
What’s a Good Design?
There are plenty of ways you can go about designing your tattoo. The design will be highly dependent on your scar and the way it heals. Some scars heal in a way that it creates a significant bump that might not be easily tattooed ‘over.’
Others are small enough that a complete cover-up is possible. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to include the scar as an element in your tattoo. Or as part of a blank canvas of skin. Think it over carefully, and make sure to discuss with your artist your options.
Will it Hurt?
For this, you can ask any other person with a tattoo, and you will probably receive conflicting answers. Just like the way your scar heals, the pain of a tattoo over that scar depends on your pain tolerance.
It would also be wise to consider the injury that led to the scar. If there were any lasting damage under that scar—on the bone, muscle, and so on—the tattoo would naturally hurt more. But if your scar is completely healed and there are no sustained damages from the injury, it shouldn’t hurt any more than a regular tattoo would for you.
Summary
Scar cover-up tattoos aren’t that much different from the typical tattoo any person would get. Scars can be painful for some people and nothing too special or extraordinary for others. No matter which category you fall into, you can treat it like a special skin condition that might require more preparation and research before you get tattooed. It’s entirely up to you (with the help of your artist) how you want to go about it.
If you want a creative and long-lasting tattoo, we are happy to help you. Lucky Deville Tattoo is a tattoo shop based in Buffalo, NY. We can give you the tattoo of your dreams, no matter who you are or what your reasons are. Visit our artists and see what we can do for you!
