Tattoo cover-ups: how they work

How it works

New ink doesn't erase old ink. The two mix in the skin, so a cover-up works by hiding the old design inside a new one with enough dark areas and detail to swallow it. It takes practice, which is why some artists specialize in cover-ups.

Most cover-ups end up a good deal larger than the original, and darker in the right places. A small black name on a wrist won't become a small, pale watercolor flower. Designs with organic shapes and lots of texture, like flowers, animals or feathers, tend to hide old work better than clean geometric pieces, and a dark background helps too.

If the old tattoo is very dark, or you really want something light, laser can give you more choice. A few sessions to lighten it is often enough. Talk to the cover-up artist before you book laser, since they'll know how much fading they need.

Finding the right artist

Look for someone who posts before and after photos of their cover-ups, ideally healed. Send a clear photo of the old tattoo, its size, and the kind of thing you'd be happy with. Be flexible on the design. They know what will hide it.

You might not need one

If the old piece is just faded or a bit wobbly, an artist may be able to rework it instead. That means cleaning up the lines and adding shading while keeping the original design.