Do tattoos over self harm scars look distorted?
Depends on the design, and the scar it is covering. I don't do them super often, but usually at least a few times a year I do a cover up over scar tissue. Self inflicted, surgery, accidents, burns, badly done tattoos that were scarred by amateurs, etc. One of the first things to consider is finding an artist who is familiar with covering scars. One who is not may end up causing more scar tissue while trying to cover it. Once you find an artist that you are comfortable with comes the next important considerations. Design choice and flow. Definitely think on some ideas so you end up with art you'll love for life, but be a little flexible if needed. Any tattoo needs to flow well with the body, but coverups (scars or covering old ink) have the additional need to flow with what is underneath. If it doesn't then yes; it probably will look distorted. I'd lean towards tattoos with a lot of depth, and texture. Abstract styles like biomech, Japanese traditional, and floral all work really well. With scars in particular be prepared that it may take more than one session to cover it. Better to go too light and have to do a second pass than go too hard on it, and make the scar tissue worse. A final consideration is that in some cases (such as bad keloid scars) it is unavoidable to have a little distortion. A raised scar is still going to be raised underneath the ink. That's where the right design can really help. use the scar to help give the tattoo a more 3D effect. Guess this has been a bit of a long answer to a simple question, but I try to be thorough. Hope this helps, and good luck.
Can a tattoo artist tattoo over scar tissue?
I have a history of self-injury and I had staph infection in the past, both left scars. The scars from the infection are just on the surface but the other scars run a little deeper. I just wanted to know if it was possible to tattoo over that. I wanted a tattoo on my wrist and a tattoo on my shoulder, that's where my scars are. Any answers will be helpful. Thanks in advance.
Can you get a tattoo over scar tissue?
It will stay if the scarring isn't extensive. The deeper the tissue, the more it won't hold color. I do tat's over scars all the time, and a good artist will know how to incorporate the scar with the tat if it can't be covered. And no, it doesn't hurt more, since scar tissue has no nerve endings.
Do tattoo artist hate tattooing over self harm scars?
Tattoo artists are all very different from one another. We each will hate doing one thing or another, so I’m sure some don’t like covering scars of any type. Some lack the skills to be able to properly cover scars. All of that is okay.That being said, no, we don’t hate covering self harm scars. I, personally, am always really happy to help someone move on with their life. Wearing scars in highly visible places like firearms and wrists can hold people back moreso than tattoos a lot of the time. No one wants to get the negative attention self harm scars can bring. The questions. The elephant in the room. Having a beautiful tattoo there can also discourage the action in the future, if need be.I will definitely be honest and candid with them during the consultation if the scarring is severe and I can tell some areas will probably need to be touched up, but it’s not a big deal to me. I know what I’m signing up for. I offer a free touch up within a year of getting the tattoo and encourage them to check in during that time so we can see if they’ll need it.People get tattoos for a myriad of reasons. The reasons are all fascinating to me and I love hearing some of the stories. I love being a part of that experience with my clients. To help the transition for someone who is ready to let go of that type of pain is quite special. There are many tattoo artists who definitely feel the same way I do and love helping someone become more confident and comfortable in their own skin.
Would it be wise to get a tattoo over a raised scar?
If the scars are stable and they haven't changed in the last year or so, you should be able to get them tattooed over. Most artists will ask that you wait at least a year to tattoo on a scar to ensure the area is healed and won't go through any drastic changes. Only talk to REPUTABLE artists about this kind of tattooing. You do not want to just wander into any old shop and let someone work on your scars. Tattoos are an investment and a tattoo over a scar is one you need to be even more careful with. Ask for recommendations in your area and visit the most qualified artists. If you can think of a few things that you might want over your scar, you will be in better shape to talk to an artist. Your scar itself will determine what kind of options you have, but having an idea of what you do or do not want will help narrow it down. Once you know what sorts of things your artist feels will work, you can look more closely for options. This is probably not a tattoo that you are going to walk right in and get. You are most likely going to have to have a tracing of your tattoo taken, have a good discussion with your artist, and you may even be sent home to look for examples of art you love. For example if your artist feels a fish or dragon will work for a cover up and you liked those ideas, you would need to determine what kind of fish and dragons you really like best. This kind of search is usually something you need to do at home or in the library unless your artist has some serious free time to help you. But once you have examples of styles that you like, you can go back to your artist and they can begin serious work on your drawing for your tattoo. Getting a tattoo to cover a scar or existing tattoo is a longer process. Taking the time and care to find an excellent artist with experience tattooing over scars and to choose a design that is truly going to cammouflage the scars well is worth all of the effort.
Can you get tattoos over scars?
Your best is going to be to talk to a tattoo artist. Some scars can be tattooed over if they are older and flush with the rest of the skin. But raised scars are more stubborn to tattoo on. Also, tattoo artists usually try to avoid tattooing on fresh scars as well. You can always trying using some Mederma to make the scar appear less noticeable before going to talk to an artist.
Tattoos over burn scars....?
burn scarring actually very soft, all you have to do is try to find a tattoo artist in your area that has worked on burn scarring before, and get a consultation to help pick out an image that won't come out looking distorted because of the uneveness of the skin. sometimes, when you collaborate with a good artist, you can even find an image that can incorporate the scarring. i've seen some done beautifully with images of water and fire and smoke that were only enhanced by the scarring itself, kind of like when painters use impasto to enhance texture in a painting. just do some research and call around and ask different tattoo artists if they know of anyone (because hey, they know the network of artists better than anyone) who works on scarring. best of luck to you both!
When can you get a tattoo over self-harm scars? Its still reddish and about 4 weeks old, but the scar is flat and it's not deep. The only reason I'm eager to get it covered is because it's not just cuts, but it's a word that I cut.
I'm sorry to say that 4 weeks is definitely far too soon to tattoo over a scar, it still has a long way to go in terms of healing. The general guideline for getting a tattoo on top of a scar is to wait at least 2 years, potentially longer if the scar tissue is very thick and the wound was very deep.I can understand your speed to try and get the scars covered up, especially if they are a word. I have the word “bitch” carved into my chest and can't wait until the scars are healed enough to cover with a tattoo. I'm thinking of getting a cherry blossom tree down my side, with branches reaching across my thighs, stomach, chest and arms to cover all the scars.Please don't rush into things and get a tattoo on top of a still-healing scar. I know it's tempting but you'll only cause more damage in the long run.And please consider counselling or therapy to help stop self harming. You clearly dislike your scars, so please try not to create any more. If you like tattoos and art, try drawing on yourself to distract yourself from cutting. There's this thing called the “butterfly project” where you draw a butterfly in the place you want to hurt yourself and name it after someone who cares about you and wouldn't want you to cut. You can't cut on top of the butterfly or else it, and any other butterflies, will die and you can't wash the butterfly off. It has to fade naturally.I have a stick and poke butterfly tattoo, with the semi colon symbol for depression as the butterfly's body, over the top of my first ever self harm scar from when I was 9. I find it therapeutic to look at my arm now and see something that brings me joy instead of reminding me of pain.Make the most of this time where you have to wait until you can have your tattoo to plan out something that is really meaningful and significant to you, something that will help with your healing process and help you to love your body and yourself again.Good luck xxx
I have a large knee scar from ACL surgery.....can it be tattooed over?
I have a scar over my eye from a car accident. I pulled my eyelid off, so when they reattached it, the eyebrow wouldn't grow back. I have my eyebrow tattooed on over the scar. Also, my brother had surgery on his spleen, so he had a scar up his belly and around his belly button. He got a zipper tattooed over it. Most tattoo artists will tell you to wait 3-5 years to tattoo over a scar..or at least that's what I was told. A tattoo on the knee would probably hurt just as bad as a tattoo on the elbow. It's all bone. No meat. Hope this helps!