So you've got a tattoo you're no longer in love with, and you're weighing up a cover up. Good news: cover ups have come a long way, and a skilled artist can turn a regret into something you're genuinely proud of. But there are a few things worth knowing before you book in, from how much it hurts to how many sessions it really takes.
Here's the honest rundown on cover up tattoos, minus the sugar coating.
What is a cover up tattoo?
A cover up is exactly what it sounds like. A new tattoo designed to hide an old one you no longer want. The trick is that the new piece has to work with what's already there, not fight it. That means darker tones, clever placement, and a design big enough to swallow the original.
It's part tattoo, part puzzle. A good cover up artist is really solving a problem on your skin, and the best ones make it look like the old tattoo was never there.
Does a cover up tattoo hurt more than a normal one?
Usually, yes, and it comes down to two things.
First, cover ups tend to be bigger and darker than the original, which means more time under the needle and more solid packing of ink. Longer sessions and heavy shading both add up to more sensation overall.
Second, if the area has been tattooed before, the skin can be a touch more reactive the second time around. It's not dramatic, but people who've had both often say the cover up felt a little sharper than the first go.
None of this makes a cover up unbearable. It just means going in prepared matters more than it would for a small, fresh piece.
How many sessions does a cover up take?
This is the big one people underestimate.
Simple cover ups
If the original is small and light, a single well planned session can sometimes do the job. These are the lucky cases.
Most cover ups
The majority land somewhere between two and three sessions. The artist builds the new design in layers, letting the skin settle between visits so the final result reads clean rather than muddy.
Heavy or dark originals
If you're covering a large, very dark, or old solid black tattoo, expect more visits. Some people do a few sessions of laser lightening first to give the artist more room to work with, then the cover up itself on top.
The pattern is simple. The darker and bigger the original, the more sessions you'll need. Patience here pays off massively in the final look.
What makes a good cover up design?
A few principles separate a great cover up from a smudgy one:
- Bigger than the original. The new piece has to extend past the old edges to disguise the shape underneath. Trying to match sizes exactly almost never works.
- Darker where it counts. Dark ink hides dark ink. Florals, mandalas, animals and bold traditional work are popular for a reason, because they carry the depth needed to bury the old lines.
- Movement and detail. Busy designs with lots going on hide old outlines far better than clean, simple shapes with empty space.
- The right artist. Not every brilliant tattooer is a brilliant cover up artist. Look specifically at healed cover up work in their portfolio before you commit.
How to make a cover up session easier
Because cover ups run long and hit hard, a bit of prep goes a long way:
- Eat a real meal first. Long sessions drain you fast. Turning up on an empty stomach is how people end up shaky and lightheaded halfway through.
- Sleep the night before. A rested body handles a long sitting far better than a tired one. Your pain tolerance drops sharply when you're running on fumes.
- Stay off the drinks. Alcohol beforehand thins your blood and cranks up the sensitivity. It makes a long session messier and more uncomfortable, not calmer.
- Use a numbing cream. For a big, multi hour cover up, a quality numbing cream applied before you start can be the difference between finishing strong and tapping out early. Our numbing range is made for exactly these longer, tougher sittings.
- Break it up. If the artist offers to split the work across visits, take it. Powering through a marathon session in one go rarely ends well.
How to look after a healing cover up
Cover ups pack in more ink than a standard piece, so they can feel a little more tender while they settle. The surface usually heals over a couple of weeks, with the deeper layers carrying on underneath for a month or so.
Keep it clean, keep it moisturised, and stay out of strong sun while it heals, because fresh ink and sunlight are a bad mix. A steady aftercare routine is what keeps all that hard work looking crisp instead of patchy. With cover ups especially, sloppy healing can let the old tattoo ghost back through, so this stage really matters.
Are cover up tattoos worth it?
For most people, absolutely. Living with a tattoo you regret wears on you far more than a few longer sessions ever will. Done properly, a cover up doesn't just hide the past, it gives you something new you actually want on your skin. Go in fed, rested and prepped, pick the right artist, and be patient with the process. The result is usually worth every minute.
Frequently asked questions
Can any tattoo be covered up?
Most can, but darker and larger originals are harder and need bigger, darker designs to hide them. Very heavy black work sometimes needs a few laser lightening sessions first to give the artist room to work.
Does a cover up hurt more than the original tattoo?
Often a little, yes. Cover ups tend to be bigger and involve heavier shading, so the sessions run longer and feel more intense overall. Good prep and numbing cream take the edge off.
How many sessions does a cover up take?
Most cover ups take two to three sessions, letting the skin settle between visits. Simple ones can be done in a single sitting, while large or very dark originals need more.
Can I use numbing cream for a cover up tattoo?
Yes, and it's especially worth it for cover ups because they run long. Applying a quality numbing cream before your session helps you sit through the extended time far more comfortably.
