Tattoo over a scar?

Many years ago, I used to selfharm. The last time I did, I cut too deep and needed medical attention. That scared me into never cutting myself again. However, dispite how long ago that has been now, the scar where the last cut was is right across my wrist and is still extremely visible that I have to wear a wristband over it at all times. My solution was to get a tattoo to cover it and I've left a good amount of time for it to heal in order for a tattoo to be safe. However, I've now realised is it actually possible to get a tattoo over a scar? I'm getting the impression that a scar is a very sensitive place and ink might not be able to cover it etc. Does anyone know?

Reply 1

arktos

Yeh its fine if the scar's over 2-3 years old although it might not take the ink as well as 'normal' skin. but it would be best to go down to a parlour and talk it over.

Reply 2

Juno

20

You'll need to discuss it with the tattoist, as they each have their own ways of working. But have you looked at other ways of reducing the scar, such as bio-oil or the scar reduction plasters?

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

OP

I have used bio-oil but it has barely made a difference to the appearance. I meant I actually started self-harm many years ago so my last scar occured exactly a year ago, though has pretty much healed up by now. All scars are different so I'll have to get a tattooist to look at it first to see if it would be ready yet. I'm planning on going to a parlour this week to a tattooist I've been to before to discuss it. Thanks for help :smile:

Reply 4

Florinda

it´s fine - i´ve covered an ungly one on my back. nice job.

there´s only one thing i regret about my tattoo - too small. :p:

hope your emotinal health is better now :smile:

Reply 5

Kate.

15

Yep, you can do it. It'll still be noticeable if it's raised but if you come up with a good design and find a good artist, the scars could probably be worked into the design and make it look even better. I've seen some very nice tattoos over scars where the scars were part of the design.

Reply 6

hayley05

mytattoo is tooo small aswell :|

Reply 7

cheesecakebobby

9

I'd probably think less of someone if they had a tatoo than if they merely had an obvious scar. In this case, both are forms of self-mutilation.

Reply 8

xXMessedUpXx

15

I've always wanted to tatoo over some of my SH scars. but i'd want them to symbolise the fact they're part of my past and i'm recovering, or that i was weak then but i'm stronger now *must look into symbols* maybe a butterfly. i see butterflies as being free, and i'd like to symbolise that too.

Reply 9

Chi3f

1

do tattoo's hurt when they do it?

Reply 10

vickyrkenya

2

Talk to your tattooist. Scar tissue is quite different to normal skin in structure and may affect whether the ink will appear normal.

Reply 11

G4ry

1

Chi3f

do tattoo's hurt when they do it?

Depends where you have it. On bits where the skin is thin and near bone it's more unpleasant. I've not got but i've been told the closest thing to it is a hot needle scraping across your skin. But pain shouldn't be much of an issue to your decision of a tattoo.

Reply 12

turbochargedk

13

If you can take the pain of SH you can take the pain of a tattoo, I've had a big tattoo to cover SH scars and it looks fine the tattooist didn't mind and you can feel the raisedness of the scars but you can't see them. :wink:

Reply 13

The Canadian

11

xXMessedUpXx

I've always wanted to tatoo over some of my SH scars. but i'd want them to symbolise the fact they're part of my past and i'm recovering, or that i was weak then but i'm stronger now *must look into symbols* maybe a butterfly. i see butterflies as being free, and i'd like to symbolise that too.

Butteryflies are often associated with spiritual development from the closed mind of the cocoon era to the revealed beauty of the butterfly, a butterfly'd be a good one to go for.

Scars can be tattood over, but the texture of the tissue will generally remain unchanged. Personally, I'd say that every scar has a story to tell, and even though my hands and arms are covered in scars, I'll never cover them up. Mainly cos it's hard to cover so many, but hey :p:

By the way, is your scar keloid? That could have an affect on it if it is, as a friend had a cover up done after an RTA and her's was keloid, and apparantly it itched like hell. Worked fine, and she now has a funky unicorn on her shoulder, but it is still bumpy to touch.

Reply 14

jointhedots

16

cheesecakebobby

I'd probably think less of someone if they had a tatoo than if they merely had an obvious scar. In this case, both are forms of self-mutilation.

Surely getting a tattoo that you think enhances how you look is far more positive than harming yourself because you're depressed/angry/whatever?

Reply 15

The Canadian

11

misslibby

Surely getting a tattoo that you think enhances how you look is far more positive than harming yourself because you're depressed/angry/whatever?

Agred, and also, tattoos turn the human body into a canvas, for self expressionism art at its finest, if done well.

Reply 16

anjurdsg

11

hey how old does do you have to be to get a tattoo? over here in singapore it's 18...

what about US? UK? any other countries?

Reply 17

simeon

13

There's a series about a Tattoo shop Discovery Channel called Miami Ink, and they showed a woman who had self-harmed getting a tattoo to cover some scars.

Here's the tattoo...http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/miami-ink/slideshow/nunez/gallery/nunez_mclaine_design6.jpg

...so yes, it can be done.

Tattoo over a scar?

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