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-but first-

A "Coverup" is a term used to describe the placing of a new tattoo over an old one. Coverups can be done for many different reasons. Some are done to cover a name while some are done to cover bad tattoos, usually homemade. Scars can also be covered with tattoos. You may still notice the scar but the first thing a person will notice is the tattoo and that's what's important.

An important point to know about coverups is that in most cases the new tattoo has to be larger than the old one. Just how big the new tattoo will have to be will largely depend on what it is you are covering the old tattoo with. Some people are not comfortable with the idea of possibly getting a substantially bigger tattoo. For these people the only other options are to have the tattoo surgically lasered or simply live with the tattoo. Considering that alot of coverups are of an ex-lovers name, the latter option isn't really an option at all!

Generally speaking, lighter colors do not work well at covering darker colors. Not always but generally so. Think of tattoo ink as being like watercolor paint versus acrylics. If you wanted to repaint a canvas acrylics would cover the old paint easily whereas watercolors would be semi-transparent. Tattoo ink is like watercolors. Thus darker colors are better at coverups than lighter ones. So no, you can't cover an old tattoo with flesh colored ink!

Coverups can be extremely tricky to pull off properly. If not done properly the old tattoo will be somewhat visible despite the application of a new tattoo over it. Before having an artist attempt a coverup on you make sure that the artist is confident of the end result and make sure that they explain to you just how it is that they intend to achieve it. The last thing you want to have to do is coverup a coverup!

So what makes for a good coverup? That is an extremely hard question to answer. There are so many variables that have to be taken into account. Your first step should be to decide just what it is that you'd like to see in the old tattoos place. Present your idea to your artist and see if your idea is able to be done. What you want is to have someting in it's place that you will want to look at, not merely settling for just anything because it will work as a coverup.