TATTOO COVER-UPS lincoln: what you need to know before covering an old tattoo

Not every tattoo stays with us for the right reasons.

Maybe it was done years ago and no longer reflects who you are. Perhaps the quality wasn't what you hoped for, the design has aged badly, or you simply don't want to look at it anymore.

Whatever the reason, one of the questions we're regularly asked at Voodoo Ink in Lincoln is:

“Can this tattoo be covered?”

The answer is often yes — but a successful tattoo cover-up takes careful planning.

CAN ANY TATTOO BE COVERED?

Most tattoos can potentially be improved, reworked or covered, but every tattoo is different.

The size, position, colour, age and darkness of the existing tattoo all affect what can realistically be achieved.

A small, faded tattoo usually gives an artist considerably more freedom than a large area of heavily saturated black ink.

That's why it's difficult to properly assess a cover-up from a quick message or photograph alone. Seeing the tattoo in person allows us to look at the existing pigment, the surrounding skin and how the tattoo sits on the body.

A COVER-UP ISN'T JUST ANOTHER TATTOO ON TOP

One of the biggest misconceptions about cover-ups is that you simply choose a new design and tattoo it over the old one.

Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work like that.

The existing tattoo becomes part of the problem the new design has to solve.

Lines, shading and darker areas of the new tattoo need to be positioned intelligently so that they disguise what's underneath. The eye needs to be drawn towards the new design rather than continually finding shapes from the original tattoo.

A good cover-up is therefore designed around the tattoo that's already there.

THE NEW TATTOO MAY NEED TO BE BIGGER

This is something clients aren't always expecting.

Trying to cover an old tattoo with another design exactly the same size can severely limit what the artist can do.

Allowing the new tattoo to extend beyond the original gives us clean skin to work with and considerably more freedom with the composition.

Sometimes making the tattoo larger is what allows the old piece to disappear convincingly into the new design.

DOES A COVER-UP HAVE TO BE REALLY DARK?

Not necessarily.

A cover-up needs enough contrast and structure to deal with the existing pigment, but that doesn't mean the finished tattoo has to become one huge area of black.

Good design, placement, texture, shading and colour can all be used strategically.

However, there are limitations. Tattoo ink isn't paint. Putting a pale colour over heavily saturated black ink won't simply hide it.

Part of planning a cover-up is understanding what the skin and existing pigment will realistically allow us to achieve.

SOMETIMES A REWORK IS THE BETTER OPTION

Not every old tattoo needs to disappear completely.

If you still like the original idea but the tattoo has faded, aged or wasn't particularly well executed, we may be able to rework it instead.

Existing line work can sometimes be strengthened, colour restored, shading improved and additional detail incorporated.

The result can be a tattoo that still retains the original idea but looks considerably stronger.

WHAT ABOUT LASER TATTOO REMOVAL?

Laser treatment doesn't always have to mean completely removing a tattoo.

For particularly dark or difficult pieces, a few laser sessions may fade the existing pigment enough to give the tattoo artist considerably more freedom when designing the cover-up.

That can sometimes mean a better result and more choice in the new design.

We'd rather be realistic about that than promise a cover-up that isn't going to work.

CHOOSE THE NEW DESIGN CAREFULLY

If you're covering a tattoo you already regret, the last thing you want is to replace it with another tattoo you're unsure about.

Try not to approach the process with only one thought:

“I just want this covered.”

Think about what you'd actually be happy to wear instead.

You may have to compromise slightly because of the existing tattoo, but the objective should still be to create something you're genuinely pleased with — not simply hide what's underneath.

EXPERIENCE MATTERS WITH COVER-UPS

Cover-up work requires an understanding of tattoo design, pigment, contrast, skin and how a tattoo will heal and age.

It also requires honesty.

Occasionally the design someone wants simply won't work over the tattoo they already have. A professional artist should be prepared to explain that and suggest alternatives rather than promise something unrealistic.

At Voodoo Ink in Lincoln, Matt has more than 18 years of professional tattooing experience and regularly works with cover-ups, reworks and existing tattoos alongside new custom pieces.

tattoo cover-ups in lincoln: thinking about covering an old tattoo?

If you've got a tattoo you no longer love, don't assume you're stuck with it.

Come and talk to us.

At Voodoo Ink in Lincoln, we can look at your existing tattoo, discuss what you'd like to achieve and give you an honest assessment of the options available.

You don't even need to know exactly what you want to replace it with.

A free consultation gives us the opportunity to look at the tattoo properly and start working out what could be possible.

Once your new tattoo is finished, looking after it properly is just as important. Read out guide to Tattoo Aftercare: How to Care for Your New Tattoo

Voodoo Ink — LincolnCustom Tattoos • Cover-Ups • Reworks • Body Piercing