Stretch marks are extremely common. In fact, 90% of people report finding a stretch mark on their body! Stretch marks are caused by the rapid stretching of the skin and most often occur on the stomach, arms, and thighs. These body parts are also popular tattoo spots. Since stretch marks create texture and color pigmentation on the skin, you might wonder, can you tattoo over stretch marks?
The short answer is yes! Tattooing over stretch marks is a specialized skill, but a professional artist can cover stretch marks with permanent ink. Read on for an overview of stretch marks, how they occur, and which tattoos cover stretch marks the best.
The medical term for stretch marks is striae. Striae appear as thin lines and occur when the skin is stretched quickly. Most stretch marks start red or purple and have a slightly shiny look. As stretch marks heal, the lines become white and mimic scarring. It is normal for striae to appear depressed in the skin, creating a textured skin surface.
Stretch marks are a result of rapid stretching of the skin. So they occur in places where quick weight or muscle gain happens, such as the arms, legs, hips, and stomach. In addition, many pregnant women get stretch marks, especially in the second and third trimester.
Stretch marks are natural! In many cases, it is impossible to prevent stretch marks from occurring as they are a normal side effect of growth. Stretch marks appear after:
The body undergoes lots of changes during puberty, including growth spurts.
Pregnant women might get stretch marks across their abdomen and lower stomach. As the uterus grows to accommodate a developing baby, the skin over the stomach is stretched, causing striae.
Unexpected or fast weight gain stresses the skin and causes stretch marks.
Rapidly building muscle pulls on the skin and can result in stretch marks, especially around the biceps and shoulders.
Whether you want to conceal stretch marks for cosmetic reasons or coincidently have a tattoo design that overlaps with striae, tattooing over stretch marks is possible! However, the skin discoloration and texture of skin marks make tattooing a bit more challenging. Tattoo artists have tips and tricks to successfully conceal stretch marks in tattoos, including specialized applications and creative designs.
Tattooing over stretch marks is not easy, but a professional artist can completely cover scarred and damaged skin. There are several factors tattoo artists consider before beginning a stretch mark tattoo cover up.
Tattoo artists advise against tattooing over new stretch marks. For several reasons, it is best to wait for stretch marks to heal before getting a tattoo.
New stretch marks are usually red or purplish in color. As they heal, it is common for stretch marks to turn white or silvery. These lighter tones are much easier to hide with ink. In addition, fresh stretch marks are extremely sensitive. The pain of tattooing over new scarring is unbearable for most people, and the results do not outweigh the suffering.
If you want a stretch mark cover-up tattoo, wait for the skin to heal. You will know when the skin is ready to get tattooed once it is no longer tender to the touch and appears lighter in color.
Tattooing over stretch marks and scars takes practice. So, before selecting a tattoo artist, do your research!
Stretch mark cover up tattoos require a lot of experience, so artists usually advertise this service and have an extensive portfolio. Check out their stretch mark cover-up tattoos before and after photos. Look for tattoos that mimic a design you want to get.
Removery’s award-winning laser tattoo removal clinics are experts at helping with cover-up tattoo preparation! Their high-tech Picoway lasers effectively fade all permanent ink colors, making a cover up more successful.
Laser tattoo removal is the only FDA-approved method to get rid of unwanted ink for good. Removery offers free consultations and flexible payment options. Meet with one of their experienced staff members to craft a personalized treatment plan to achieve your tattoo cover up goals!
We’re on a mission to give you the most straightforward, easy and efficient laser tattoo removal experience. Your estimate will be entirely bespoke to your tattoo; the size, the colors, the ink. It won’t take long and afterwards you’ll have a plan to finally get rid of your unwanted tattoo and get back to being you.
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