Between clients: how we reset a station
What we wipe, wrap, bin and open fresh, and the order we do it in. A plain look at our routine.
Can that old tattoo be covered?
A cover-up is not a magic eraser. Here is when it works, when a rework is better and what to expect.
We see a lot of old tattoos: names that no longer fit, tribal bands from the early 2000s and small pieces that faded unevenly. The question is always the same: can you cover it? Sometimes yes, sometimes not in the way you hope.
A cover-up works by drawing a new design that is darker and usually larger than the old one, with the old lines hidden inside dark areas, leaves, feathers or shadows. A small, light tattoo is easy to cover. A large, solid black one is very hard, because nothing is darker than black. As a rough rule, plan for the cover-up to be two to three times the size of the original.
The colours you can use are limited too. Light colours such as yellow or pale pink will not hide anything underneath. Most cover-ups lean on black, deep blues, greens and reds. If you want something light and delicate, a cover-up may not be the right path.
Sometimes a rework is better. If the old tattoo is a design you still like but it has faded or blurred, we can go over the lines, sharpen them and add shading so it looks considered rather than old. It costs less, takes less time and keeps your skin free for other work. At your consultation, we look closely and tell you which option makes sense before you pay anything.
