Choosing the Perfect Cover-Up Tattoo
Now that you’re familiar with the process and factors involved in selecting a tattoo cover-up, it’s time to have some fun and create your dream design! Here are some tips for choosing the ideal cover-up tattoo.
– Align the New Design with the Old Ink
Cover-up tattoos work best when the new design is closely related to the old ink. For instance, if you have a large Celtic knot on your foot, opting for a cover-up design with a similar Celtic theme would be more manageable than trying a realistic piece.
– Think About Expanding the Current Design
Youmight be able to enhance your existing design by adding elements, intensifying colours, or enlarging the original tattoo. If you have a single feather tattoo, for example, consider transforming it into an exquisite peacock cover-up piece.
– Be Ready for a Larger Tattoo
Your cover-up tattoo must be at least the same size as the original and possibly even larger. Keep this in mind when determining your new design and deciding between a replacement or removal.
– Anticipate More Maintenance for Cover-Up Tattoos
Cover-up tattoos might require up to three sessions to ensure the ink fully saturates the original design. These tattoos can also fade more quickly than the original ones, so practising proper tattoo care, such as moisturising and sun protection, is crucial.
– Seek Out Skilled Cover-Up Tattoo Artists
When starting your cover-up journey, it’s essential to work with an artist experienced in cover-up tattoos. These artists can help you choose a design that effectively hides your old tattoo and provide style and colour recommendations. When searching for tattoo artists, don’t hesitate to request cover-up examples from their portfolios. Prepare questions in advance to ensure they’re the right fit.
Possible questions include:
- What is your approach to covering old tattoos?
- How many cover-ups have you done?
- What should I keep in mind while healing from a cover-up tattoo?
- Do you have any before-and-after photos of cover-ups you’ve done?
– Consider Tatt2Away® Tattoo Removal
If your tattoo is dark, heavily coloured, or new, you might need multiple sessions to remove the correct amount of ink for your replacement tattoos. Even lighter or older tattoos can benefit from removal sessions, providing a more faded canvas for the cover-up. Keep this in mind when planning your timeline and budget for the tattoo cover-up process. Laser tattoo removal does not work on all colour inks and has other limitations, while the Tatt2Away® system works on any colour or pigment ink. This is another big factor in deciding what process to use!
– Maintain Realistic Expectations
While it’s exciting to envision your dream tattoo, ensure you set realistic expectations to avoid disappointment later. Covering an intricate, dark portrait with a clear blue sky, for example, might not be possible without multiple tattoo removal sessions.
Working with experts early in the process allows you to communicate your desired outcome, and they can guide you on the most effective path to achieve it.
