Stretch marks are one type of scar that results from the skin rapidly stretching—whether from weight gain, puberty, or pregnancy. They don’t affect everyone, but for those who do have them, they can show up on a slew of places on our bodies from the stomach, thighs, and hips, to the upper arms and even the lower back.

Many people are worried about stretch marks throughout their lifetimes. Most people regard stretch marks as an aesthetic issue and they are always looking for ways to partially or completely cover or hide them. However, all the stretch marks are not the same, and there are various factors that can affect the final decision to get a tattoo over stretch marks. Stretch mark tattoos are getting popular as a solution.

Many women are now using tattoos to cover up their stretch marks. It is important to analyze the stretch marks, their location, and whether a tattooist can execute the tattoo over such a skin condition. They also have to create a proper tattoo design and ensure that the stretch mark will disappear without skin damage.

So, overall, we should be able to get a tattoo over their stretch marks, but some factors need to be considered before such an attempt.

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What do we need to consider before getting tattooed?

The stretch marks’ condition – If the stretch marks have recently appeared, then the possibility of getting a tattoo will be minimal. It would be extremely difficult for the tattoo artist to tattoo over such skin, and it would be also very painful.
The colour of the stretch marks – If the stretch marks are red or purple, it would be hard to conceal them with a tattoo. Such colour of stretch marks also indicated that they’ve freshly appeared, so they’ll also be painful to tattoo.

The width and length of stretch marks – If the stretch marks are wider, it is difficult to conceal them with a tattoo. The reason lies in the inability of the tattoo ink to fully cover or conceal wide stretch marks.
Potential, future body changes – If you’re thinking to gain muscle or start a pregnancy, it might be better to put off the stretch marks tattooing. That is because the current stretch marks will change as the body changes, especially in the stomach, thigh, and buttock areas. It would be better to lose weight before tattooing the stretch marks. During weight loss, the stretch marks might shrink, so it will be easier to work on them and cover them with a tattoo.

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What to expect when getting the tattoo over stretch marks?

There are a few things one must know and expect if you are getting inked on your stretch marks:

The tattoo ink goes into your dermis which is the second layer of the skin next to the epidermis. The dermis contains blood vessels, nerves, collagen fibers, glands and dermal cells. All these are critical for healing. Cells continuously die on the epidermis. Hence, the tattoo will fade away if it stays only on the epidermis.
The tattoo needle pierces the skin at the frequency of 50-3000 times in a minute.
The tattoo artist will insert the needle into the ink and then turn on the tattoo machine. The tattoo needles have multiple ends. Needles with fewer ends are used for detailing and outlining, while needles with more ends are used for colouring and shading.
Whether the process hurts or not depends on the pain tolerance. Usually, it may experience nothing more than a stinging sensation. The pain rarely gets too uncomfortable.
The artist usually begins by drawing an outline of the design using a stencil and then works on the same.

Traditional tattoos primarily focus on making stretch marks appear. However, another technique, called camouflage tattoo, covers up the scars and blends them with the skin. This gives you an even look.

Camouflage tattoo for covering Stretch marks

Camouflage tattooing follows the methods of traditional tattooing. It uses a customized ink or pigment that matches the skin tone. This helps blend the stretch marks with the skin such that the scars are not visible.

Camouflage tattooing is not micro-pigmentation. It is a process in which the ink or the pigments are blended evenly and deposited into the dermis with just one application.

A camouflage tattoo could be a permanent tattoo, though it may fade away a little with time. However, the pigments remain unaffected. These tattoos will work best on white or old stretch marks. Even individuals with vitiligo may opt for camouflage types of tattoos.

Is it a painful process?

Depending on the detailing of your tattoo, we may experience the following sensations during the process:

Burning Sensation: If the tattoo needle goes into the same spot over and over, you may experience a slight burning sensation.
Sharp Stinging Sensation: It is very common in tattoos that have more detailing.
Scratchy Feeling: If the tattoo needs a lot of shading, you may experience a scratchy feeling.

Tips to care for Tattoos on Stretch marks

The tattoo artist will apply a layer of petroleum jelly to the tattoo and cover it with a bandage.
Wash your hand before removing the bandage as you do not want to transfer germs to the new tattoo. While removing it, be slow and gentle. Do not rip it off.
Wash the area with antibacterial soap and lukewarm water. Avoid using a washcloth to dry it. Let it air dry. Wash it several times a day.
Applying an antibacterial cream on the tattoo after it dries.
Moisturize the area daily. It is important to keep the area hydrated.
The tattoo may scab once it starts to heal. It may also itch. Resist the temptation to scratch it.
Wear loose clothes for a few days or until the tattoo heals. Tight clothes may irritate the skin.
Avoid soaking in water for long. Avoid exposing the tattoo to sunlight while it heals, as it may damage it.

Risks associated with Stretch mark tattoos

Getting a tattoo done on an area most likely to develop new stretch marks (like the thighs, abdomen, etc.) can actually damage it. This damage depends on the size of the stretch mark.
Maintaining proper hygiene is crucial to reducing the risk of infection. Visit a consultant immediately if you experience:
Continuous burning sensation
Swelling (after a couple of days)
Bad odour
Yellow pus
Avoid getting a tattoo if you are allergic to dyes. Signs of allergic reactions often take a few times to develop. They may start with a rash on the tattoo.
Tattooing may also cause further scarring or overgrowth of scar tissues on your stretch marks.
Tattoo needles that are not sanitized can increase the risk of developing blood-borne diseases, such as HIV, tetanus, and Hepatitis B and C.

Can every tattooist do Stretch mark-covering tattoos?

Unfortunately, every artist can’t take on the challenge of doing scar- or stretch mark-covering tattoos. Naturally, everybody wants their tattoo artist to do an excellent job and not cause them skin or health issues. So, for that reason, there are a few things to consider before choosing a tattoo artist for this journey;

Whether a tattoo artist has much experience in successfully tattooing over scars and stretch marks
Whether the artist knows how to adjust the design and the colour of the tattoo to suit the stretch marks
Whether the artist is ready to monitor the healing process of the tattoo
Whether the tattooist is willing to make a few adjustments if the tattoo isn’t healing and planned

Conclusion

So, as you can see, it is possible to get a stretch mark-covering tattoo, as long as the stretch marks are a suitable candidate and the tattoo artist knows what they’re doing. If your stretch marks don’t seem to be a suitable candidate, don’t lose hope; some tattoo artists are known to work very well around stretch marks and make them a part of the tattoo design.

Either way, make sure to consult with a physician and a tattoo artist before making a final decision on how you’re going to cover your stretch marks. We believe that the stretch marks shouldn’t be concealed, as they’re beautiful and unique.

Can stomach tattoos cover stretch marks?

Yes, they can. The result will depend on the severity and depth of the scar. Covering the scar could be difficult if it is big or covers a wider area.

Can you tattoo over a skin spot?

Yes, you can get a tattoo done over a skin spot to cover any type of discoloration.

Do the stretch marks fully heal with tattoos?

Tattoos can only cover stretch marks. They cannot heal them.

Is it possible to get a few more stretch marks in the same place?

Yes, it is possible. If you gain weight or your skin stretches due to any other factors, then you may develop fresh stretch marks in the same area as the tattoo.

Can you get a tattoo on recently formed stretch marks?

No. As the skin on the new stretch marks is sensitive, it may cause further damage to you.

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Can Tattoo Cover Stretch Mark? Everything You Need To Know in 2023