Cover Ups

When it comes to covering up your old tattoos, there are several ways to go about it. Each process yields different results, and depending on your desire result can affect the over cost. I will do a quick breakdown and express my feelings on each.

1. Laser Removal: The most effective.
   Laser removal is naturally the most effective. Especially if you visit a facility that performs the procedure with high quality equipment. The higher quality the laser, the less removal sessions will be required as well as reduction of scarring. When it comes to tattoo cover ups, it’s unnecessary to completely remove the tattoo as we are going to be covering it up anyway. “Lightening” the tattoo will open up your options without having to be forced into making the tattoo “too dark”; which is an opinion that lies in the eye of the beholder. I personally prefer that people get laser treatments because the end result of the new tattoo is much “cleaner” or less of that “covered” look.

   Cost: The cost of laser treatments plus the tattoo can seem overwhelming, but when compared to the results vs. amount in sessions, it’s almost directly comparable. The only real issue with laser, is it takes quite some time between treatments and the tattoo because laser does require some significant heal time.

   Bottom Line: It’s not much more expensive than the second option below, could take longer to reach the end result, but the end result will be “better” as we are provided more options artistically.

2. Multiple Tattoo Sessions: Effective but not always “perfect”.
   Performing a tattoo cover up that requires multiple sessions consists of applying the new tattoo; lines and whatever dark areas that can be performed (whether that’s blacks or other colors). Whatever is left over is then “lightened” through tattooing. It’s not actual lightening, but building up lighter pigments on top of the darker pigments that were there. I call this “priming”; like you would paint a wall as to prepare for the lighter paints that will be applied after. If the design requires this approach, these techniques are applied in the first session. Depending on the results of the first session, I can finish the tattoo in the second session.

   Usually after the second session I tell people, “If it heals and you’re happy with it, then hell yeah, leave it alone. Most people that don’t know it’s a cover up won’t notice. You on the other hand will always see the cover because you know what was there before. If something is peaking through, we’ll do another pass on it. The third and fourth sessions are usually for “tightening up” the leftovers or if the tattoo is really dark and requires that. I try to avoid doing more than two at all costs to be honest. I’d rather you spend money on getting more tattoos than just one over and over.

   Cost: Each session costs money. That’s a give in. But each subsequent session will reduce in price as there is less and less work over time, but covering up a tattoo with this technique does cost more than a normal tattoo.

   Bottom Line: Not as effective as the laser process but has the potential to be a little less expensive. The age old line of, “You get what you pay for” comes into play nicely here. Majority of people choose this option as it yields the best results with the pain of the laser. Which, to be honest, is an eye roller for me. I’ve had laser, it’s awful but 100% worth it. But, you do you boo boo.

3. Raven of Doom: The Big Black Bird Technique
   The third option is a doing a dark object over the tattoo. “Hit it and quit it” if you will. This technique is usually a one session tattoo that will also have the possibilities of leftovers or “show through”; when pieces of the tattoo will show through, obviously. I usually make the joke saying, “Option 3, a big fucking raven.” Ravens are dark, require a lot of black and have a lot of texture to work with that can cover most linework. The thing is, I can do just about any animal or object in the medium though. High contrast increasing shadows to create dark areas that allow a quick and easy cover up.

   Cost: Potentially the least expensive option depending on the art. Ravens do require some work because of the feathers. Same as fish and dragons; scales, lots of scales. This technique does usually only require one session, or two depending if the client wants to “tighten” up the tattoo.

   Bottom Line: Has the potential to as effective as option 2, and has the potential to be a little less on the financial side. But reduce the artistic options as well.

Every cover up is different so I can’t really give prices, but you can visit my Pricing blog and get a super rough idea what it will cost. As always, prepare for it to be more just in case. Visit the studio for any other questions and we’ll have a consult.