cover-up

A cover-up is a tattoo done over an unwanted past tattoo, scars (especially those resulting from surgery or self-harm), or symptoms of a skin condition. It is one of the two main options of removing an unwanted tattoo; the other option being laser removal. Covering up an unwanted tattoo is generally cheaper, less painful and an overall easier solution than tattoo removal. A person may choose to get a cover-up over an older tattoo for aesthetic reasons, such as to enhance or replace a faded tattoo, or to erase an unwanted reminder. Numerous celebrities have employed tattoo artists to cover up existing tattoos, often after the breakup of a relationship. Some tattoo artists volunteer to cover hateful and gang-related tattoos with new designs for free. A decorative cover-up tattoo can obscure a scar or skin condition with personally meaningful art, sometimes as an alternative to a paramedical tattoo that would try to conceal or disguise the area in a naturalistic way. For example, in lieu of reconstruction post-mastectomy, a person may choose to get a decorative tattoo over their scars. Contexts Unwanted past tattoos