The Truth About Tattooing Over Scars, According to Experts

Most people don't get out of life without a few scars. And while for some folks, they can be a source of pride or a powerful reminder of what they've been through, for others, a scar can be an aesthetic nuisance or even a painful reminder of challenging times. For the latter group, covering or camouflaging scars might be a good choice. One option is always makeup, albeit temporary and often messy. But for a more permanent solution, it is possible to tattoo over scars. We tapped tattoo and skin experts to share the top things to consider when deciding whether or not to tattoo over your scar (including what sort of pain to expect). Read on for their experienced insight on scar tattoos.

What Is a Scar Tattoo?

Contrary to the misnomer, a scar tattoo is usually not a tattoo design that resembles scarred skin. A scar tattoo, also referred to as scar camouflage or a scar cover-up, is a tattoo designed to either conceal or highlight an existing scar. In the case of concealing, the tattoo can be a visual design that covers the tattoo or the use of skin-colored pigment to blend the scar into the skin as seamlessly as possible.

When to Tattoo Over a Scar

“Prepare yourself to go to a couple of consultations and be realistic about the end result,” says tattoo artist Anka Lavriv. “Make sure to give your body enough time to heal—and be patient; rushing into getting tattooed before your skin is ready can result in irreversible disappointment with your new tattoo.”

Board-certified dermatologist Shari Sperling, MD, adds, "Scars in general take a good six months to a year to fully heal. One should wait until the scar is fully healed prior to getting a tattoo. It should be done in a sterile fashion and done by someone who has experience with tattooing over scars to get the best results."

Tattoo artist Gianna Caranfa says, "I would say wait a full year before tattooing over a scar. However, it also depends on the severity of the scar, how much trauma, healing time, etc."

How to Find an Experienced Tattoo Artist

All scars are different and all artists have unique styles, so it’s important to find a tattoo artist who fits your aesthetic and has a fair amount of experience tattooing over scars. Because these tattoos require more effort, time, and precision, going with an experienced artist means that your tattoo will look good during both the tattooing and healing processes. Check out the artists' portfolios and if they don’t specifically state that they can tattoo over scars, it’s best to contact them directly for confirmation.

Who Is a Good Fit for Tattooing Over Scars?

According to Lavriv, tattooing over scars can be tricky. Because the process requires experience, she suggests meeting with an artist first and getting an honest opinion about the reality of tattooing a specific scar.

“When I get requests for scar cover-ups, I always have a consultation with the client, assess the scar [in terms of] severity, age, color, placement, and have a conversation about what the client’s goal is with this tattoo. Chances are that it won’t be possible to make the scar disappear completely, but there is a lot that usually can be done in terms of concealing, blending it in with the design and drawing attention away from the scar.”

Overall, how the process goes depends on the scar itself. Lavriv notes that self-harm scars tend to be relatively easy to cover up compared to mastectomy, c-section, keloid, or other scars with major depth and texture.

Is it raised? How deep does the tissue damage go? Has the keloid formed? Is there toughened scar tissue? All of these questions and more should be taken into consideration. "Take extra precaution when working with scars that leave the skin very thin, fragile, and overly stretched as this can cause excess trauma to delicate areas," says tattoo artist Shaughnessy Otsuji. "Scars that are very raised and textured should also be approached with caution so as to not cause more damage."

Caranfa adds, "There is one type of scar in particular that doesn't seem to hold ink as well and that is stretch marks due to growth. I see it mostly in men in the area of their inner bicep."

How to Choose a Design for Tattooing Over Scars

It’s possible to get any design you want, but know that a tattoo will never change the texture or completely erase the scar.

“In my opinion, things that have an organic flow and movement—like floral or botanical designs—work great, and severe linework and geometric shapes usually do not because of the difference in the skin quality and texture,” says Lavriv. “That said, it all depends on what you are trying to achieve with your tattoo, and it’s a matter of personal preference.”

While tattooing over a scar won’t present any health issues, there are a number of aesthetic risks that you’re taking. If you plan to leave some of your scar exposed, consider that it could get a bit feathered around the edges and smaller lines may appear less defined. Some spaces may not even take the ink at all. If this is the case, don’t panic—an experienced artist can combat these issues with repeated sessions.

Lavriv adds, “Again, I can’t stress having an experienced tattooer do the cover up enough. Because of the different skin texture in scars, there is a way higher chance of blowouts, blurring, [and] spotty healing."

Pain Level of Tattooing Over Scars vs. Regular Tattoos

Let’s be real: Getting a tattoo is painful no matter what. However, unless there’s been nerve damage to the area and the tissue has lost all feeling, scars can become more sensitive than normal skin. Pain around the area will also be different depending on how recent the scar is. You can expect an intense sensation with fresh scars—so much so that some artists will refuse to tattoo them.

Lavriv says you should also consider what the tattooing process will do to the scar, and that follow-ups are absolutely necessary when tattooing scarred skin. “Scar tissue gets extremely aggravated and raised during the tattooing process, and sometimes it can look shocking, but it’s totally normal and usually the skin calms down after a couple of hours. I always ask my scar cover-up clients to come in for a short touch-up session to see how everything settled,” she explains.

Dr. Sperling adds, "Tattooing over a scar can be more painful compared to normal skin. It also may not heal appropriately and outcomes may not appear as expected due to the scar tissue. The scar may also worsen and become more exaggerated due to the tattoo traumatizing the scar even further."

Potential Side Effects of Tattooing Over Scars

It’s never a good idea to get tattooed when your skin is irritated, sunburnt, or your immune system is low. There’s also the possibility that a newer scar could reopen, causing the tattoo session to end and requiring medical attention. It’s best to give the scar adequate time to heal to avoid this from happening.

"Clients who are currently undergoing chemotherapy should not get tattooed until it is safe to do so and cleared by their medical professional," says Otsuji. "Those who are currently pregnant or nursing should not receive a tattoo. If you have any skin conditions, autoimmune diseases, or pre-existing illnesses, it is always recommended to discuss your options with a doctor first before consulting with a tattoo artist."

Aftercare

After getting your tattoo, Caranfa recommends sticking to the aftercare routine your tattoo artist sets out for you. "You [should] use the regular routine that your tattoo artist advises for both types of skin," she says.

Final Takeaway

Nobody’s body is flawless, but your new tattoo can help you reclaim your self-confidence. With proper preparation and a skilled artist, you can turn your scar into a piece of ink that you’re proud to show off. Be sure to do your research and find an artist who is experienced in tattooing over scars, and ideally you should wait six months to a year for your scar to fully heal before getting it tattooed.