This site is no substitute for a formal apprenticeship
This site is no substitute for a formal apprenticeshipThis site is not a substitute for a professional apprenticeship with a licensed tattoo studio. Nor is this site a definitive source for learning the art or trade of tattooing. An apprenticeship is the ONLY universally accepted way to learn proper safety practices and sound technique.
While we welcome members of all levels, we STRONGLY advocate staying away from skin until you've received formal training from someone who works in the field. Hell, even hair stylists must complete over a year of courses, pass a state health board exam, and apprentice under a professional studio before earning a chair.
The trade of tattooing has a rich history and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. If you respect the art, please show your respects by learning the right way.
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Touching Up Scar Tissue, The Debate |
 Apr 24 2008, 10:28 AM
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#1
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So I have been hearing a debate between some buddies of mine, both tattooing for a good four to five years now regarding touching up "hamburgered" skin. One buddy said if you let enough healing time pass, it shouldn't be that much of a problem, especially with solid black work. On the other hand, my other buddy said the scar tissue is too tough and isn't workable. Whats the opinions out there!
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Apr 24 2008, 10:32 AM
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#2
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I dont have much hands on experience with tattooing scars...but my understanding is that its really depends on how gnarly the scar is. Some scar tissue is very thin, and can tear, or be resistant to taking ink. Ive seen other scars, thick, thin, raised, flat, get tattood without issue. So someone on here feel free to correct me if Im wrong, but I belive it really boils down to how "in tact" the scar is, and if its still durable enough to handle the abuse of a tattoo.
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Apr 24 2008, 10:34 AM
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#3
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QUOTE (Toph @ Apr 24 2008, 02:32 PM)  I dont have much hands on experience with tattooing scars...but my understanding is that its really depends on how gnarly the scar is. Some scar tissue is very thin, and can tear, or be resistant to taking ink. Ive seen other scars, thick, thin, raised, flat, get tattood without issue. So someone on here feel free to correct me if Im wrong, but I belive it really boils down to how "in tact" the scar is, and if its still durable enough to handle the abuse of a tattoo. Thats exactly what I was thinking. I know that it depends on the type of scar, how deep the scar tissue is etc. But I always thought that even a butchered tat (hamburgering) can be remedied after healing. I guess we will see what others think |
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Apr 24 2008, 10:41 AM
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#4
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QUOTE (godzia02 @ Apr 24 2008, 10:34 AM) Thats exactly what I was thinking. I know that it depends on the type of scar, how deep the scar tissue is etc. But I always thought that even a butchered tat (hamburgering) can be remedied after healing. I guess we will see what others think Ive never seen a tattoo thats SO overworked that it cant handle another session once its healed. Dude youd really have to get nuts on someone to tear them up that bad with a tattoo. Just be sure its FULLY healed if it really got jacked up. I wouldnt be in a hurry to go back in... Oh...and find the tard who did the tattoo and break his fingers |
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Apr 24 2008, 10:48 AM
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#5
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hahahahaha exactly what i was thinking!
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Apr 24 2008, 10:52 AM
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#6
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Being a biker I've seen lots of tats used to cover up that permanent road rash scarring and pipe burns on people unfortunate enough to go down. Most pros who will tattoo over a scar will make sure the scar is very well healed (sometimes over a year) and then decide whether to use solid or a lot of linework to hide the scar. Shading can be difficult on those areas but can still be done.
You can also use the scar as part of the artwork if it's like a surgery or a long cut... I've seen a one where a guy got cut on his arm and it left a nasty scar behind, The tattoo was of a welder "fixing" his scar using the scar as the weld bead. Same on another guy but the tat was a doctor sewing up the scar, the only ink over the actual scar was the thread lines... Sometimes it's all about being creative for the client. -------------------- Push the needle in... Now there's no return...
http://www.myspace.com/davethewicked http://forum.ink-trails.com/gallery-user1732-album213.html •()WìÇKëÐ[::::::::::::> |
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Apr 24 2008, 11:42 AM
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#7
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Hey Dave,thanks 4 writing down what i wanted to say!!
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Apr 24 2008, 11:55 AM
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#8
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yea ive heard mixed things on this...to the best of my knowledge, some scars are really soft and the ink takes extremely easy and some are hard and wont take ink at all.. as far as stretch marks and things of that nature i heard its best to wait at least a year and a half before touching it....like to hear more from someone who has more experience though
-------------------- burning every bridge that i cross
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Apr 25 2008, 05:33 AM
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#9
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I have a tattoo that goesacross my waist to cover up a scar. The tat looks awesome and you cant see the scar. Pic Attatched. In my opinion i think it works just as good on scar tissue
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Apr 25 2008, 06:37 AM
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#10
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QUOTE (unique1 @ Apr 25 2008, 08:33 AM) I have a tattoo that goesacross my waist to cover up a scar. The tat looks awesome and you cant see the scar. Pic Attatched. In my opinion i think it works just as good on scar tissue
Point taken! Thanks Unique! |
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Apr 25 2008, 07:31 AM
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#11
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scars are tough ..
some are tattooable some not .. wait atleast a year (or longer for bad ones ) high probabilty of blow outs in linework .. work the scar into the deign ..its about fooling the eye ,not always about covering them.. now .. reworking chewed up skin is different ... give it time to heal .. i have a beautifull tattoo (on me ) that is fucked ...combonation of a reaction to Stable ink (dead leaf pigment ) and being overworked ...its been over a year and i'm still waiting ... slow & easy .. peace A. |
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Apr 25 2008, 08:37 AM
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#12
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thanks for sharing that pic unique1
  This thread is pretty well timed really. I was round a mates house last night and his wife showed me where her old tattoos used to be on her arms. she had them removed without lazers many years ago and she said they were literally cut out. she now permanently wears long sleaves to cover the scars and there are still a few little dots of ink here and there. they looked like they were maybe names. They weren't that bad to be honest but they obviously really bother her and she didn't realise you could go over them again to cover them. I'm not nearly ready to help, but maybe few months down the line... they looked like burn marks, ya know where the skin has gone really tight.. is that the sort of stuff that would get blowouts and rip easy? -------------------- -= Setting Sail on Concrete Waves =-
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Apr 25 2008, 02:39 PM
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#13
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you can actually break up certain types of scar tissue with a magnum needle it all depends on how thick the tissue is.
stretch marks can be covered easily you just have to go easy on your lines as they blow out very easy. c section scar and appendix scars can be covered if they ar at lest 2 years old. |
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Apr 25 2008, 05:22 PM
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#14
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QUOTE (unique1 @ Apr 25 2008, 08:33 AM) I have a tattoo that goesacross my waist to cover up a scar. The tat looks awesome and you cant see the scar. Pic Attatched. In my opinion i think it works just as good on scar tissue
I had something I was going to say on this subject, but for some reason I forgot what we were discussing..... |
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Apr 26 2008, 07:37 AM
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#15
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QUOTE (Gabe @ Apr 25 2008, 07:22 PM) I had something I was going to say on this subject, but for some reason I forgot what we were discussing..... 
-------------------- |
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Apr 26 2008, 11:33 AM
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#16
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I posed a similar question a few weeks ago asking about tattooing over a raised scar. In the end it caused no problems and the lines went down well, however the tattoo wasn't shaded so I don't know how that would take.
I have also tattooed over very bad stretch marks and it scared the shit out of me as on a couple of occasions the ink appeared to shoot into the scar and then disperse with no lasting effect. The tattoo healed fine but it had me sweating. Talking of sweating Unique 1, hot damn! TC -------------------- If you haven't fallen off yet you're obviously not trying hard enough!
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Apr 26 2008, 12:15 PM
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#17
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I've seen tattoos to cover cesarean scar or appendix scar etc.. if done well they can be a very effective form of cover up.
though it could be harder to cover scars from accident .. ones that are not so uniform ( not 'man made' incisions ) due to the nature of their shaping and the different levels of scar tissues within the same area. I'd save scar covering tattoos for the pros :-) -------------------- choose your friends cautiously,
and your lovers conscientiously, but choose your life path most wisely... as you can have hundreds of friends and many lovers... but only one life. |
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Apr 29 2008, 06:34 PM
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#18
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I've been thinking alot about this subject... so thanks for all the comments folks
I have a 200mm scar on my right inner forearm that I've been wondering about pretty-ing up I'm right handed so hubby will have to do the tattoo  I also have the standard 300mm chest and half mtr long leg scars from the same surgery, but they don't bother me as much cause they were superglued not stapled so are way finer and less 'ordinary' looking than the arm I have gone over a small stretchmark scar while doing a tramp stamp butterfly a couple of weeks ago and even though it was a very light scar... which I didn't even see until I found out real quick about lines having a mind of their own over scar tissue, it did give me concern for a moment a second pass worked out ok cause I was real slow and careful cheers gail -------------------- courage and serenity I got... it's wisdom I'm lacking
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 May 5 2008, 09:03 PM
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#19
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QUOTE (Toph @ Apr 24 2008, 11:41 AM) Ive never seen a tattoo thats SO overworked that it cant handle another session once its healed. Dude youd really have to get nuts on someone to tear them up that bad with a tattoo. Just be sure its FULLY healed if it really got jacked up. I wouldnt be in a hurry to go back in... Oh...and find the tard who did the tattoo and break his fingers Hey man I got a quick question... My wife has a gnarley tattoo that's TOTALLY SCARRED and fucked up!!! We like to call it her "3d tattoo" everyone jokes and says it's almost like reading braille... Apparently she got it at a really young age and the dude was a garage ink slinger... do you know if it would be possible to go over something like that or would it have to be something she'd have to get surgically shaved off and never go over again... I know she's really depressed that she can't get past this tattoo as she really wants to cover it... -------------------- ALWAYS remember those that had your back... NEVER forget those who turned it...
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