HEALING PAST WOUNDS.

Can you cover a scar with a tattoo? In short, yes you can.

I’m Jo Harrison and I have been tattooing for 25+ years. I’m a tattoo artist who specializes in covering scars with tattoos and its something I’m very passionate about. I would love to share with you some advice, a little about my tattoo process and some of my client’s amazing scar cover-up tattoo stories.

I am very proud to share the short movie made by INSIDER about my work in covering scars with tattoos. Please take the time to check it out and below you will find information and advice on helping to cover scars with a tattoo.

COVERING SCARS SUCCESSFULLY WITH TATTOOS:

This requires a lot more attention to detail than working on unscarred skin. It is always best to work with the flow of the scar rather than against it. It is worth noting that the scar tissue can be very varied and unpredictable. Sometimes it holds so much ink it spreads and other times it needs a follow-up session to get the ink smooth and saturated. Due to this it may take more than one session to completely cover the scar. The skin can be delicate and it’s important not to overwork it in one session. One thing to bear in mind is that heavy linework tattoos very often do not work well as cover-ups as the lines appear to be crooked and emphasise any bumps in the skin. Something more organic and textured often works best over scars. Also black and grey doesnt work well, sometimes its impossible to cover the scar with black and grey shading, as this work relies so heavily on the use of negative areas of skin. Doing so with will reveal the scar underneath and wont make a successful cover up. Also areas of different texture will take more or less ink, leaving the tattoo patchy with dark and light areas, highlighting the scar rather than disguising it. Once we take a look at your scar, we can chat about your ideas and will be able to come up with the perfect solution for you and your unique scar.

If you are thinking of having your scar tattooed over your scar MUST be fully healed for the skin to successfully take the ink and for it not to cause even more damage to the delicate tissue. If you are at all unsure it may be a question you need to ask your surgeon, if your scar is very red, sensitive, dry and itchy it may well not be ready to tattoo and the results of tattooing it before it is ready would be unsuccessful.

IDEAS FOR YOUR TATTOO:

It is best if you show me as many different ideas as you can of things you like and even things you don’t like. Some designs may look great but may not make a successful cover up on your particular scar so the more options we have the better the result. It is especially important to do something that resonates with you and represents you if this is going to be the one and only tattoo you get. I do understand that very often people who choose to cover their scar may have never decided to have a tattoo if it wasn’t for them wanting to cover their scar. In that case, we may work with more delicate subtle designs and colours to suit the needs and situation.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR TATTOO SESSION:

Firstly it’s important to know that I freehand all my work. I do this because it is truly the best way to get the design to fit and flow on the body. Also rather than you telling me your ideas and me drawing when your not present, we get to work on the design together until we are both happy with it. This is especially important when using the uniqueness of your scar to do the best cover-up possible. If your scar is sensitive you can ask at a pharmacy or buy over the internet topical anaesthetics to ease the sensitivity during the session. They won’t make it completely numb but will definitely help.

If you would like to embark on a much larger tattoo please take a look at “THE DESIGN AND TATTOO PROCESS” This is a detailed description and step by step at each session of how we covered Loran’s scar on her leg with a beautiful big bird.

If you are interested in covering your scar with a tattoo please take the time to read “LIANNE’S TRANSFORMATION” a beautiful story about a really wonderful lady who was ashamed by the battle scars having 3 children and subsequent abdominal surgeries had left her. We created something unique that represented her, thank you Lianne. 🤗

It is always such a special request to be asked to cover scars with something beautiful. To help heal the mental as well as the physical wounds and put closure to events and traumas in the past. Many people hide their scars away and to give them back a sense of freedom and peace is truly wonderful. Please read “TATTOOING TO HEAL SCARS” if you are interested in A.B’s story.

“I can’t wait to be able to wear my first ever sleeveless dress and I don’t worry about the sleeve of my t-shirt riding up in the gym anymore. I love my tattoo.”

Thank you A.B. 💖

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” George Bernard Shaw.