What is a Cover-Up Tattoo? Scar Hiding Tattoo? Tattoo Makeover?
Do you have an old tattoo that no longer represents you? Or maybe a scar you’d like to cover with a beautiful design? I specialize in cover-up tattoos, scar camouflage tattoos, and tattoo makeovers, helping clients transform their skin with fresh, new ink.
By Noémi Kovács, Tattoo Artist at Bern Tattoo Studio
Hello and welcome! I’m Noémi Kovács, a professional tattoo artist with 10 years of experience, working at Bern Tattoo Studio, located in the heart of Bern, Switzerland. Our studio is just 300 meters from the train station and 2 minutes from the nearest bus stop.
I offer three daily time slots for free 15-minute consultations, where we can discuss your ideas and create the perfect design for you. Book your consultation online via the Contact menu on my website.
What is a Cover-Up Tattoo?
A cover-up tattoo is a new tattoo that is designed to hide or replace an existing tattoo. Whether you have a faded tattoo, an old design you no longer like, or something that didn’t turn out the way you wanted, a well-planned cover-up can transform it into something you love.
How does a cover-up tattoo work?
• The new design is carefully created to blend with or completely conceal the old tattoo.
• Darker inks and creative shading techniques help mask the old design.
• Some cover-ups may require light tattoo removal (fading the old tattoo) before the new design is applied.
• I’ll guide you in choosing a design that works best to hide the existing tattoo while creating something fresh and unique.
What is a Scar Hiding Tattoo?
A scar hiding tattoo (also called scar camouflage tattooing) is a special technique where a tattoo is designed to cover a scar, making it less visible.
Can all scars be tattooed over?
• Scars must be fully healed (at least 1–2 years old) before tattooing.
• Some scars hold ink differently than normal skin, so I carefully adjust the design for the best result.
• Raised scars, stretch marks, and surgical scars can all be worked with, depending on their texture and location.
• I will evaluate your scar during our free consultation to see if tattooing is the right option for you.
Tattoo Makeover – Fixing or Refreshing an Old Tattoo
If you have a tattoo that has faded over time, or you just want to enhance an older design, a tattoo makeover might be the perfect solution.
How can we improve an old tattoo?
• Reworking & Refreshing – Strengthening faded lines, adding more color, or updating the details.
• Expanding the Design – Adding new elements to give your tattoo a fresh look.
• Fixing Unwanted Tattoos – If a previous tattoo by another artist didn’t meet your expectations, we can redesign it into something you love.
Things to Consider for a Cover-Up or Scar Tattoo
• Not all designs can be covered 100% – Some colors and shapes may still be slightly visible, but with the right design, we can create something beautiful.
• Size matters – Cover-up tattoos are often larger than the original tattoo to effectively mask the old ink.
• Black and darker colors work best – While colorful cover-ups are possible, darker shades usually provide better coverage.
• Patience is key – Some cover-ups or scar tattoos may require multiple sessions to achieve the best result.
Book a Free Consultation at Bern Tattoo Studio
Whether you’re looking to cover an old tattoo, hide a scar, or refresh an existing design, I’m here to help! Let’s create a tattoo that makes you feel confident and happy.
Book your free 15-minute consultation online via the Contact menu, and let’s discuss your tattoo transformation at Bern Tattoo Studio.
Looking forward to meeting you!
Noémi Kovács
Resident Tattoo Artist, Bern Tattoo Studio
Important – Covering up a tattoo often requires multiple passes or sessions for several reasons:
- Color saturation: When covering up an existing tattoo, it is important to ensure that the new design’s colors are vibrant and fully cover the previous tattoo. Depending on the colors and tones of the original tattoo, it may take multiple layers of ink to achieve the desired result. Darker or more saturated colors can sometimes be more challenging to cover up completely, requiring additional passes.
- Layering and blending: Cover-up tattoos often involve designing a new image that strategically incorporates and conceals the existing tattoo. This may involve layering different colors and textures to create depth and blend the old tattoo into the new design. Achieving a seamless and natural-looking cover-up may require multiple passes to refine and perfect the blending technique.
- Healing and touch-ups: Tattooing involves puncturing the skin, and the healing process can affect the final appearance of the tattoo. Sometimes, the initial pass may result in some areas of the cover-up tattoo not fully taking or appearing patchy. In such cases, additional sessions are needed to touch up these areas and ensure a uniform and cohesive result.
- Time and cost considerations: Covering up a tattoo is often more complex and time-consuming than getting a fresh tattoo. The artist needs to carefully plan and execute the cover-up design, taking into account the existing tattoo’s size, color, and placement. Multiple sessions allow the artist to work on the cover-up gradually, ensuring the best possible outcome. However, this also means additional time and cost investment for the client.
It is important to have realistic expectations when getting a cover-up tattoo. The success of a cover-up largely depends on factors such as the original tattoo’s size, color, and placement, as well as the skill and experience of the tattoo artist. Consulting with an experienced cover-up specialist can help determine the number of sessions needed to achieve the desired result.
