Book Now
Tattoo Lab logo
Book Now

Tattoo Guide

Can My Tattoo Be Covered Up? Cover-Ups, Reworks and Laser Removal

Not happy with an old tattoo? You usually have three options: cover it with a new design, rework it so it looks fresh again, or lighten or remove it with laser treatment. Many tattoos can be covered, but whether yours can depends on how dark, large and detailed it is, and what you’d like instead.

This guide explains how each option works, what an honest cover-up consultation looks like, and what dermatology sources say about laser removal.

Start Your Tattoo Inquiry
Text 902-448-2211

Key Points

  • Cover-up: a new design is tattooed over the old one. It’s usually larger and uses darker or busier areas to hide what’s underneath.
  • Rework: you keep the design, and your artist refreshes lines, shading or colour.
  • Laser removal: multiple sessions break up the ink over time. Complete removal without scarring may not be possible.
  • Start with photos. Clear, well-lit photos of the old tattoo let an artist tell you honestly what’s possible.

Cover-Up, Rework or Removal: What's the Difference?

Cover-up

A new tattoo designed to hide an old one. The artist plans the new design around the shapes and dark areas of the existing tattoo, so the old design disappears into the new artwork. Cover-ups are a good choice when you want something completely different.

Rework

A refresh of a tattoo you still like: sharpening faded lines, adding shading or colour, or extending the design so it looks intentional again.

Laser removal or lightening

A treatment that breaks tattoo ink into smaller particles that the body gradually clears. It can remove a tattoo completely in some cases, or lighten it to make a cover-up easier.

Can Every Tattoo Be Covered?

Not every tattoo can be covered with the design you have in mind. From an artist’s point of view, these things make a big difference:

  • How dark the old tattoo is. Faded or lighter tattoos are easier to hide than solid black areas.
  • Size. A cover-up usually needs to be larger than the original to hide it well.
  • Colours. Lighter colours can’t hide darker ink underneath, so cover-ups often use darker tones or strong shading.
  • Detail. Heavily detailed or busy designs, such as florals, animals and textured pieces, often hide old work better than simple, open designs.
  • Placement. There needs to be enough skin around the old tattoo for the new design.

For a very dark or large tattoo, some artists may suggest lightening it with laser sessions first. That’s a decision to make with your artist and a qualified laser practitioner.

How a Cover-Up Consultation Works

  1. Send clear photos of your current tattoo, taken in good light, with its approximate size and placement.
  2. Tell us what you’d like instead, plus any styles or colours you love or want to avoid.
  3. Your artist assesses the options and tells you honestly what will work: a cover-up, a rework, or lightening first.
  4. Plan the design and book. Consultations are free for most tattoos. A deposit secures your date, and your artist confirms the amount.

Prices depend on the size, detail and time involved, and cover-ups often need more planning than a new tattoo on clear skin. See tattoo prices and how booking works.

Start Your Tattoo Inquiry
Text 902-448-2211

What Dermatologists Say About Laser Removal

  • Lasers are now the main removal method. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says lasers have largely replaced other methods, and newer lasers need fewer sessions and treat colours that used to be hard to remove.
  • It takes several sessions. A laser can’t safely remove all the ink at once. Cleveland Clinic says laser removal usually takes about 6–12 visits, sometimes more, with time for the skin to heal between sessions.
  • Some colours respond better. Cleveland Clinic notes that blue and black inks respond well, while some colours resist removal.
  • Side effects are possible. Scarring, texture changes, burns and lasting colour changes are more likely with inadequately trained practitioners, according to the AAD. Lighter or darker patches after treatment usually fade within 6–12 months.
  • Complete removal isn’t guaranteed. The US FDA says removal can be slow and costly, may not be complete, and can leave scars, and keloids are more frequent after removal.
  • Skip DIY methods. The AAD says removal creams are ineffective and can cause rashes, burns or scars.

Researchers have proposed the Kirby-Desai scale to estimate how many laser sessions a tattoo may need, based on skin type, location, ink colour, amount of ink, scarring and layering. The AAD recommends seeing a board-certified dermatologist for laser removal.

Why Planning Matters

A tattoo is meant to be permanent. Nova Scotia’s Safe Body Art Standard requires studios to tell clients in writing that removal may not be possible or may scar. That’s why we’d rather spend time on an honest consultation than rush a cover-up that won’t hide your old tattoo.

Which Option Is Right for You?

  • Choose a cover-up if you want new artwork and your old tattoo can be hidden by a design you’ll love.
  • Choose a rework if you still like the design but it has faded, blurred or looks unfinished.
  • Consider laser lightening or removal if you want clear skin, or your old tattoo is too dark or large to cover with the design you want.

Not sure? Send us photos and we’ll give you an honest opinion.

Cover-Up Questions

Many can, but not always with the design you have in mind. Dark, large or solid black tattoos are harder to cover. Send clear photos and your artist will tell you honestly what’s possible.

Usually, yes. A new design generally needs to be larger than the original, with darker or more detailed areas placed over the old tattoo.

Price depends on size, detail and time. Cover-ups often need extra planning, and they’re usually larger than the original tattoo. Send your photos and idea for a quote.

It varies. Cleveland Clinic says laser removal usually takes about 6–12 visits, sometimes more, depending on factors such as ink colour, amount of ink, skin type and location.

Often, yes, once the skin has fully healed from treatment. Ask your laser practitioner when your skin is ready, and share photos with your artist.

A cover-up hides the old tattoo under a new design. A rework keeps the design and refreshes it with sharper lines, new shading or colour.

Send Us Your Old Tattoo

Share a clear photo of the tattoo you want to change and what you’d like instead. We’ll tell you honestly whether a cover-up or rework can work.

Start Your Tattoo Inquiry
Text 902-448-2211
See Our Portfolio

More Tattoo Guides

Sources

  1. Tattoo removal: lasers outshine other methods. American Academy of Dermatology, 2023.
  2. Tattoo removal: how it works, process, healing and scarring. Cleveland Clinic, 2022.
  3. Tattoos and permanent makeup: fact sheet. US Food and Drug Administration, 2024.
  4. The Kirby-Desai scale: a proposed scale to assess tattoo-removal treatments. Kirby et al., Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2009.
  5. Questions and answers about tattoo inks. German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 2025.
  6. Nova Scotia Safe Body Art Standard. Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, 2018.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. For laser treatment, consult a qualified practitioner such as a dermatologist.

Book Now!

Fill in the Contact form

Book Now!

Fill in the booking form

Get in Contact!