Can You Tattoo Over Stretch Marks? What Artists Should Know

Tattooing takes highly developed skills and a steady hand, even on the most flawless of skin. So it should come as no surprise that trying to tattoo over scar tissue and stretch marks requires even more preparation and advanced technique to pull off successfully. The ability to tattoo different skin types will allow you to cater to a wide range of clients, boosting your business and reputation along with it. Plus, you get the added bonus of using your art to help people feel good about their bodies. 

This piece will cover whether you can tattoo over stretch marks, plus, common scar types you may encounter, considerations to make when tattooing uneven skin, and how to make your designs work with marks and scars. 

What to Consider Before Tattooing Over Stretch Marks and Scars

You can tattoo over a scar or some stretch marks, but your success will mostly depend on the timing. Before attempting this process, all tattoo artists should consider the following: 

The stage of the healing process

Fresh stretch marks are typically darker red, purple, or brown. These colors indicate that the skin is freshly torn and at its most delicate, which can increase sensitivity during tattooing. Lighter or more flesh-colored stretch marks and scars indicate they are further along in the healing process. 

The current condition of the skin

Even if the clients’ marks and scars are relatively healed, they can still become inflamed or irritated, temporarily changing the skin. Plus, some stretch marks and scars might be particularly deep or raised, affecting the skin’s ink absorption and complicating the tattooing process. 

Future plans

You should also consider whether a client plans on changing their body in a significant way, such as through pregnancy, weight loss, muscle gain, or any other reason. Extreme body changes can create more or exacerbate existing stretch marks, which can warp the tattoo and affect its appearance. You may want to hold off on tattooing a client until their skin has already healed. 

3 Common Scar Types

Before you tattoo over scar tissue, it’s important to learn about the various scar types to properly prepare yourself for the challenge: 

1. Atrophic 

Atrophic scars heal beneath the epidermis due to a loss of collagen, creating an indent or sunken effect in the skin’s surface. They may form because of previous acne, chickenpox, mole removal, or burns. The different types of atrophic scars include: 

• Rolling scars: Wavy, shallow scars with sloped, undefined edges. They can occur as acne scarring and often appear on the face. 
• Boxcar scars: Crater-like notches with vertical edges that dig straight into the skin, creating a box-like indent. These usually occur due to more severe cases of acne or other skin injuries in areas where the skin is slightly thicker (such as the cheeks, shoulders, and back). However, they also form in other places on the body. 
• Ice pick scars: Deep, narrow punctures that appear on the face after severe acne. These may form due to collagen loss, inflammation, or skin picking/squeezing.

2. Hypertrophic

Hypertrophic scars heal on top of the epidermis, creating thick, raised lesions above the skin. These lesions form when the skin creates too much collagen, though they tend to stay localized where the initial skin damage was. Hypertrophic scars occur anywhere on the body where your skin suffers trauma, like from acne or surgery, but commonly form on more taut skin (such as the elbows or back). An experienced artist may be able to tattoo over hypertrophic scars, but it can take time and several sessions.

3. Keloidal 

Similar to hypertrophic scars, keloids form due to an overgrowth of scar tissue. Keloids will often spread beyond the initial wound site (unlike hypertrophic scars), and are usually darker than the surrounding skin. Keloids develop slowly over time, and can form anywhere on the body, though you’ll typically find them on the chest, ears, and legs.

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How to Create the Right Tattoo Design for Stretch Marks and Scars

It’s possible to tattoo over stretch marks and scars, but you’ll need to be savvy about the process. Here, we lay out a few things to keep in mind when creating your initial tattoo design.

Consider the size of the area

Your tattoo design depends on the size of the scarring or stretch marks. Some clients may not mind that their markings are visible, but others may want their tattoos large enough to camouflage the damage. 

Assess the condition of the skin

The severity of the stretch marks and scarring can determine how you design your tattoos. Uneven skin can distort your inking, resulting in a final image that doesn’t look anything like you intended. Scars and stretch marks, along with the client’s skin texture, can also dictate where certain parts of the design will go. For instance, a long, narrow scar might be where you design a sword, or a network of stretch marks can be the target spot for florals, waves, or branches. 

Determine the right colors

A client with deep scarring or stretch marks might need darker colors with layered designs to best cover skin stretching and tears. However, they may not get the coverage they’re looking for if they’re considering lighter colored tattoos, as the skin will already struggle to hold ink well. 

Equipment Considerations When Tattooing Stretch Marks and Scars

Knowing your equipment is essential if you want to tattoo over stretch marks or tattoo over a scar. Below, we discuss a few equipment considerations to help master this process. 

Needle depth

Tattoo needle depth will affect the final image, as pitted and bumpy areas of skin are more prone to overwork and sensitivity. A shallower needle depth can help you avoid further damage to the skin, while also preventing ink blowout. Although scars have a tougher texture, pushing the needle deeper is not an effective way to get the skin to hold ink. 

Stencil application

Stencils are an effective way to transfer tattoo designs directly onto the skin to create a roadmap for your machine. However, if the stretch marks or scars land on a curved area of the body, you’ll need to adjust your stencil accordingly to cover the spot. This may involve making small cuts to the stencil paper to enhance its flexibility and ensure you have an accurate idea of how the final design will lay.

Stretch Marks and Scars Tattoo Aftercare

Successfully drawing a tattoo over stretch marks or scars is trickier than drawing one on undamaged skin, but it’s not impossible. In fact, along with the proper tattooing techniques, the right aftercare can minimize additional skin trauma. Communicating exactly what the client needs to know can ensure they correctly manage their post-tattoo healing. 

They may require multiple sessions

Tattooing over stretch marks and scars can affect ink deposit, especially where the skin is tougher, so it may take several sessions and layering to get the job done. This can prolong the tattoo process, as clients will need extra time to heal in between sessions or touch-ups.

They may experience more pain

Every client is different, but those with extensive scarring and stretch marks may have more skin sensitivity than others. Some clients can experience increased pain or uncomfortable sensations during the tattoo process, so it’s important to inform them of any potential adverse effects. 

Join GlossGenius and Grow Your Tattoo Business

It is crucial for tattoo artists to pay close attention to every detail when tattooing over scars or stretch marks, and you should never attempt to cover up skin damage unless you have enough training and experience. The clients’ well-being, along with their satisfaction, is an essential part of running a successful tattoo business and should always be your top priority. 

GlossGenius is an all-in-one tool that can aid in your tattoo business management. With Online Booking, clients can make an appointment any time – no app downloads or sign-ups necessary. Scheduling is another feature that can help you manage your bookings, while also providing quick and easy access to client info. And with Client Management, you can send appointment reminders, thank yous, and follow-ups to stay in touch with your customers and ensure they stay happy with your service. 

Try GlossGenius today and get 14 days free!

FAQs

Will tattoos cover stretch marks?

In some cases, yes, though this depends on the design and the client’s budget. Alternatively, some clients opt for flesh-colored tattoo ink to fill in and blend stretched, pitted skin. Consulting with your clients on their designs can help you determine the best course of action to camouflage their stretch marks (if that’s their goal).

How do you erase stretch marks permanently?

Unfortunately, there’s no surefire way to permanently or completely eliminate stretch marks. After all, they’ll continue to appear as we age and change our bodies. Many stretch marks will fade on their own, though some claim that certain beauty treatments can aid in their removal. 

For example, a tummy tuck may reduce stretch marks on the stomach, but any kind of surgery will also result in new scarring that may come with its own drawbacks. Some also turn to laser treatments, microdermabrasion, or microneedling to help smooth the skin and boost collagen production, though these results vary by individual as well.

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