How Long Should I Wait To Tattoo Over A Scar?
Practice Patience – Along with preparation, tattoo artist Anka Lavriv says there are a few more things to consider when deciding whether or not to tattoo over a scar. “Prepare yourself to go to a couple of consultations and be realistic about the end result,” says 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;
- ” “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,” adds Dr. Shari Sperling, board-certified dermatologist.
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Is it too soon to get a tattoo over a scar?
I’m sorry to say that 4 weeks is definitely far too soon to tattoo over a scar, it still has a long way to go in terms of healing. The general guideline for getting a tattoo on top of a scar is to wait at least 2 years, potentially longer if the scar tissue is very thick and the wound was very deep.
What are scar-covering tattoos?
What Are Skin Colored Scar Tattoos? – Now, some scar-covering tattoos don’t have to be actual tattoo designs. Some people go for flesh- or skin-colored tattoos known as scar camouflage or corrective pigment camouflage. These tattoos are done using the pointillism technique where skin-colored ink is deposited into the scar tissue and correcting or lightening the scar pigmentation. Instagram: @sibinabrowart Corrective pigmentation scar tattoos are best in cases of stretch marks, burn scars, and pigmentation disorders. However, skin-colored scar tattoos are similar but not the same as the regular tattoo. This is a specific tattooing technique that belongs to cosmetic tattooing. Such tattooing procedures are often available at plastic surgery centers or offices. Skin colored scar tattoos can cost up to $1,000, depending on the size of the scar as well as its location.
Can You cover a keloid scar with a tattoo?
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Your tattoo could cause more scarring – This is primarily an issue for people who have or are prone to keloid scars. Keloid scars are usually thick and red with a raised, rounded, and irregular shape. Sometimes the scar tissue builds up long after the initial injury, or spreads beyond the borders of the wound.
If you have or are prone to keloid scarring, there’s a higher chance that getting a tattoo to cover your scar will make the scar worse. If you want to cover a newly formed keloid scar, wait at least a year until it’s completely healed.
For deeper or larger scars, you might have to wait much longer for than that, like 3 or 5 years. Tattooing a keloid scar that’s completely healed reduces the risk of worsening the scar.
How long does it take for a scar to heal?
What To Consider When Getting a Scar-Covering Tattoo? – Instagram: @khalblk So, getting a tattoo is all about preparation and getting informed. The same goes for a scar-covering tattoo. So, before you get one, here are the things you should know and consider;
- Assessing the scar – because tattooing over certain scars can be tricky, it is important to get a consult and honest opinion from a professional tattoo artist. They will assess the type of the scar, the location, and whether it is possible to execute a tattoo. Bear in mind that scars without edges are the best for tattooing, while those with darker edges might not be suitable for tattoo covering.
- Assessing the healing stage – to get a scar-covering tattoo, the scar needs to be fully healed. Depending on the type of scar, the healing process can last between one and five years. So, ensure that your scar is fully healed before you go and get it tattooed.
- Finding a professional tattoo artist – now, this is very important; you need to find a highly professional tattoo artist who has already done similar scar-covering tattoos. You don’t want someone inexperienced handling your scar, because the risk of complications and scar irritation can be high.
- Coming up with a design – it can be difficult to find a design that will creatively cover or work around the scar. Also, you need to bear in mind that the scarred skin is not flat and smooth, so the final tattoo design will also be textured. Try to go for a design that fits the texture of the scar. Avoid linework and geometric shapes and go with more naturally flowing designs (like flowers, for example).
- Handling the pain – as we mentioned earlier, getting a scar-covering tattoo can be really painful. So, considering the type of the tattoo and the location of the scar, make sure to be mentally and physically prepare to go through the tattooing session. But, also bear in mind that freshly healed scars hurt more than the scars that have been fully healed for some time.
- Aftercare and follow-ups – to prevent any type of complication, irritation, or infection, it is ESSENTIAL to follow the aftercare routine and do regular follow-ups with your tattoo artist. The artist will know whether the tattoo is healing properly and warn you if something’s wrong.
After you get a scar-covering tattoo, it is perfectly normal for the scar to be aggravated, irritated, and raised. The scar tissue usually calms after a few hours. If the tissue remains aggravated and starts hurting, make sure to see your tattoo artist or a doctor as soon as possible. If the tattoo stays sore, oozing, painful, and overall red more than a few days or the scar reopens, you’re probably experiencing a tattoo infection , which requires immediate medical attention.
- Also, bear in mind that the ink can seem a bit feathered on or around the scar;
- The tattoo may also appear less defined and a bit blurry in the scar region;
- That is completely normal, and if you find an issue with the way your tattoo looks, you can always do some touch-ups;
Note : In scar-covering tattoos, there is a higher chance of a blowout. This means that the tattoo needle will probably penetrate the scarred skin a bit deeper than it usually would. As a result, the ink will spread beyond the tattoo lines, making some parts of the tattoo blurry.
