Cover-up tattoo of a black panther and dark roses on a shoulder

Cover-Ups Tattoo Shops

1,587 shops in 51 states do Cover-Ups work

Turn a tattoo you regret into one you love. Cover-up specialists design a new piece that hides an old, faded or unwanted tattoo – using dark areas, texture and clever composition so the old work disappears.

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Cover-Ups tattoo guide

What is a cover-up tattoo?

A cover-up is a new tattoo designed to hide an existing one. Since tattoo ink can't be removed by tattooing over it, the artist uses darker or busier areas of the new design – deep shadows, dense patterns, foliage, feathers, fur or water – to camouflage the old lines and color.

Cover-ups are a specialist skill: the artist has to think about the old tattoo's darkest parts, the shape of the new design and how both will age together.

Size Usually larger than the original
Colors Darker and more saturated than the old tattoo
Good designs Florals, animals, Japanese, blackwork, ornamental
Laser first? A few laser sessions to lighten old ink widen your options
Sessions One to several, depending on size

How cover-ups work

  • Dark covers light. The new design needs dark or saturated areas over the old tattoo's darkest parts.
  • Bigger is usually necessary. Expect the cover-up to be noticeably larger than the original.
  • Texture hides lines. Feathers, petals, scales and patterns break up old outlines.
  • Laser lightening helps. If the old tattoo is very dark or you want something light, a few laser fading sessions first give the artist more freedom.

Choosing a cover-up artist

  • Ask for before-and-after photos, ideally healed.
  • Be open to their ideas. The best cover-ups come from designs built around what's already there.
  • Book a consultation in person so the artist can see the old tattoo's ink density and skin.

Frequently asked questions

Can any tattoo be covered up?

Most can, with the right design and size. Very dark, large or heavily saturated tattoos may need laser lightening first or a bold blackwork approach.

Will the old tattoo show through?

A well-designed cover-up hides it completely. Skilled artists plan dark areas so old lines don't ghost through as the new tattoo heals and ages.

Can I get a light or fine line tattoo as a cover-up?

Usually not without laser fading first, because light ink can't hide darker ink underneath.