Looking for ideas for tattoos that would work well with scars

March 2, 2016 6:17 PM

As a kid I self harmed, something that left me with a fair number of scars, most of them narrow and quite long (I used a small jack knife for most of my cutting). Now I want to cover them up with tattoos. What types of tattoos would work best at covering up such scars?

Now I'm a huge art lover, but I'm admittedly not that big into tattoos as the permanency of them makes me uneasy. However, I'd take permanent tattoos over permanent scars—any day. And while I realize that most types of tattoos generally don't work well with scars—and I know this as I've done a bit of research on covering up scars with tattoos—I can think of a few types of tattoos that I think would fare quite well: for example, tattoos of trees or plants of some sort. The tree / plant, or trees / plants (maybe I'd get more than one?), would, of course, have to be at least partially improvised as I'd want the branches to go over each scar, but that would be OK. I've also considered getting tattoos of Louis Wain drawings as I love his cat drawings and think that all the squiggles in them, though some would have to be altered, could work well with scars. I can also think of some Hiroshige artworks, which also would have to be altered a bit, that probably could fare quite well.

Now I'm just not 100% sure I want to get tats of the aforementioned things. Before going through with anything I'd like to get suggestions from you MeFites. Can you folks think of anything else that could work? A tat of some type of animal, perhaps? Or perhaps a tattoo of some crazy artwork that you know of?

To finish this off I wish to add that I realize scar removal is an option but from what I've heard it's very pricey and it seems that, in most cases, the results are subpar. So yeah . . . I'm not too keen to take that route, though I may reconsider if anyone here has had good results with scar removal. (Oh, and one more thing: I no longer self harm and haven't done so in over a decade. So no need to be concerned—I'm quite fine!)

posted by GlassHeart to Media & Arts (12 answers total)

Have you considered white tattoos. I have them for the reasons you mention - was uncomfortable with going the whole hog with the permanence - I was put off coloured ones. When people see my arm band one they think it is a kind of scarification and I'm thinking your scars could be worked skilfully into a white tatt. I had a bit of burgundy added to mine on shading and that worked well.
posted by honey-barbara at 6:25 PM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]

And while I realize that most types of tattoos generally don't work well with scars

I'm not entirely sure what this means. But here is a photo of one of my tattoos - a very fresh photo, so there's a little blood visible - that, because of its size and placement, crosses over almost half of a ~5-inch long and very keloided scar on my forearm. The portion of the scar covered by ink is basically invisible now (the scar itself is quite faded but is still a different color from the rest of my skin.

I'd suggest you find a local artist whose work you like and start consulting with them on design and placement. You can bring in photos or sketches of images you like, as examples of the kinds of things you're considering. Good tattoo artists are also good artists, and can create either original works or adapt other work in ways that will look good on your body.
posted by rtha at 6:26 PM on March 2, 2016 [5 favorites]

I can't remember where I came across them but I've seen pictures of tattoos of large realistically detailed feathers where the central quill of each feather was a cutting scar and the vanes neatly obscured any rough skin along each. They were just black, no color.
posted by Mizu at 6:38 PM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]

I was a cutter as a teenager and as I aged my scars became more and more pronounced. I covered them, for the most part, with a tattoo of sunflowers on a blue background. I will email you a pic since I cannot figure how to insert here.
I did what someone else suggested. I knew I wanted something like sunflowers so I looked for an painter who also did tattoos. I am very happy with the outcome but if you look closely you can still see the scars so it is not a 100% hide.
posted by cairnoflore at 6:45 PM on March 2, 2016

I heard this great story on NPR: Effects Of Toledo Tattoo Artist's Work Are More Than Skin Deep. I wonder if you could contact the artist for advice? His contact details are in the linked article.
posted by kittydelsol at 6:47 PM on March 2, 2016 [3 favorites]

A lot of Klimt's work has a strong geometric motif, it wold be cool to add a pattern in his style that uses the scars as a base.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 6:51 PM on March 2, 2016

Find a good artist (or a good shop) in your city and go in and ask. Generally scars are fine to tattoo over, especially if they are old. (I think you need to wait a year or so for more serious scars to heal.) So, I don't think you necessarily need a specific design for this to work, although of course there are designs that may help camouflage the tattoos.

I really love this tattoo tumblr for ideas. This one's okay but doesn't have as high-quality standards as the first. See what interests you and bring in some ideas.

Scrolling through you'll likely see quite a few tattoos that cover scars, especially self harm scars. Glad you're doing better!

Source: I haz tattoos. I needz more tattoos.
posted by Crystalinne at 6:54 PM on March 2, 2016

If I were you I'd look up the tattoo artists in your town or nearby, find ones whose work really appeals to you. Then book some consultations with a few to talk about what ideas they might have for some interesting and unique pieces that would work with the scars. Sometimes the really good artists can come up with some pretty amazing original artwork.

I've known a few people who've even gone so far as to give the artist absolute control over the design and these are their most beautiful tattoos. Takes some bravery and trust to do that, of course.
posted by lizbunny at 6:56 PM on March 2, 2016

I don't have a tattoo, mostly because I find the idea of committing to a particular representation unsettling. (I like them on other people, though.) But I've seen some straight up geometric shapes and patterns that seem very liveable with. If I wanted to cover scars, I might take a picture of the area, do some photoshop or something to bring them out, and try to figure out a custom pattern that makes use of them. (Maybe with some watercolour effects around it, like in some of these, definitely brights.)

(Not sure how technically feasible that is, though.)
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:36 PM on March 2, 2016

How about Kintsugi? Here's another example of Kintsugi in tattoo form. It's a good way to redeem the scars in a deeply beautiful and metaphorical way.

I think a tree would also make sense.

Check out Tattoo Fixers (from Channel 4 in the UK) to see the kinds of ways skilled tattoo artists can do to work with existing skin problems and bad tattoos.

N'thing that it's really about choosing the right artist.
posted by guster4lovers at 9:01 PM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]

Seconding mattdidthat - if you're not 100% into the idea, a tattoo isn't a wise move.

That said, I have a tattoo directly over an old (9 years at the time) and fairly prominent scar. I talked to my tattoo artist about placement, because I was worried we'd have to shift the design, and he said it wasn't a big deal at all. I trusted him, and he was absolutely right - there's no difference in the ink that's over the scar vs. what's on non-scarred skin.

So yeah, if you're absolutely into the idea, definitely talk to some tattoo artists in your area. But if you're not totally on board? Don't do it.
posted by okayokayigive at 6:04 AM on March 3, 2016

Disclaimer: sister link - She's an artist who paints a lot of trees and plants with straight lines and 90 degree angles. Facebook Link
posted by artychoke at 9:08 AM on March 3, 2016