One of the most rewarding parts of tattooing is giving someone something that makes them feel good about themselves. Many people are turning to tattoo artist to hide their unwanted scars instead of plastic surgeons. I’ve been covering scars for the past 7 years and with each scar the situation is different just like the person. Let me start by saying, that there are no guarantee’s when it comes to tattoos covering the scaring 100%. Some will take ink very well and some not so well, depending on the skin quality.
Surgical scars are one of the most common to see and usually cover very well. Any scar should have a minimum of 1 year to heal. I usually recommend 2 years to be safe. My most amazing scar cover ups are 10 to 20 years old and the skin is usually great at accepting the pigment. One of the worst scars that in my opinion should never be attempted to cover with a tattoo, is a burn scar. Most of these scars I’ve seen have so much damage to the tissue that it will only bleed and scar the area even worse and usually will not hold any pigment.
As far as the pain scale with covering scars everyone is different, most have no feeling around the scared area. While some people have areas that are even more sensitive than usual. In these situations the skin usually is very thin or badly damaged, sometimes the nerves on the surface are even more sensitive because of this.
One of the most important things to remember when planning your scar cover up is to work with the scared skin, especially if the area is raised. If a design is placed over a scared area and does not complement the “lines of flow” then the scar may stand out even more! It’s best to pick a design that can work with the scaring so any raised areas or areas that may not hold pigment well, look like they belong there and do not stand out. The art should be the focal point when the tattoo is completed not the scaring.
For anyone interested in covering their unwanted scars, please contact Lisa DeLauder at tattoomafia@ymail.com for a consultation. It’s important to send images and information on what type of scar it is and how many years you’ve had it. Prices are usually determined by the amount of time invested in the tattoo and design.