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Tattoos mean different things to different people around the world. For some they're nothing more than a fashion statement, while others get them for cultural reasons, like the Māori for instance. Many get them as a memento of a time, place, or person. But some people choose to get a tattoo for an entirely different reason, such as to cover up a scar for example.
Check out this list compiled by Bored Panda, and our previous one, to see for yourself what we mean. Some of them conceal the scar tissue completely, while others cleverly interact with them, turning what was once something considered unsightly into something truly beautiful. Don't forget to vote for your favorite! (h/t: Revelist)
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#3
Danika Strong 7 years ago
I have keloid scars everywhere on my body, all of the ones that were stitched have stayed ever since the one that was done when I was 9, I am 28 now.
#8
#9
person (i think) 7 years ago
Does tattooing over scar tissue like this hurt more than normal or is it about the same?
#13
#16
#17
“What inspired me to get tattoos to cover my scars was so whenever I was down or having a bad day, I could look down at my newly painted arm and remember that overcoming something can lead to beautiful things. My next step is to cover the scars of my other arm and my leg. It’s never easy, but by getting them covered up, it’s a little bit like closure.” — Lauren S.
Silent Skeleton 7 years ago
I'm glad you were able to stop, and I love the reasoning behind getting the tattoo :o)
#25
“I got a Sylvia Plath tattoo. She’s my absolute favorite poet/author. Her quote ‘I am. I am. I am’ (from her book ‘The Bell Jar’) symbolizes that suicide could’ve been the end for me, but I’m here, ‘I am’ I am here, I am alive and I am determined to get through this. The cat is Sylvia’s drawing called ‘Curious French Cat’ and it also symbolizes self-harm and depression — but how it’s not the answer anymore.” — Shannon P.
jacluckycat 7 years ago
The Bell Jar was like reading a narrative of my own mind. That book means so much to me. Love the tattoo.
#26
jacluckycat 7 years ago
I have this exact same scar except I have two little holes next to it where the drainage tubes were. Never tattooed it, though.
#27
“I saw this quote back when I was in seventh grade. I knew one day that I will have this tatted on me. I didn’t start self-harming until sophomore year in high school. As a freshmen in college last year, I finally got this quote on my body.” — Zari S.
#31
Annette Wendel 7 years ago
I love the fact that the scar actually wasnt covered up, but instead the tatoo kind of circles around it, making the scar part of it
#34
Out of chocolate 7 years ago
It took me a while. Thought it was antennae with floating dots on top...
#39
Lakia Hawkins 7 years ago
Beautiful, can't even tell there was a scar with the way the tattoo is done
#40
Typical Hungarian tulip, that we can observe as an element on traditional furniture decoration, used to cover up a deep scar left after an ateroma removal.
#42
Luna Clara 7 years ago
Still I dont get why the internet (guidelines) are ok with a tattooed nipple (or male ones) but not with a real female one... *freedom for all nipples* btw really good job on this one :)
#43
Lakia Hawkins 7 years ago
It's great but they should have shaded in the older tattoo with more color because it's fading
#44
#45
Lady came in today with this gnarly scar from skin cancer and all she wanted was to hide it even if it didnt hold up.
#46
“Self-harm was a way I coped with my depressive and suicidal episodes. I would feel all this anger built up inside of me and I wanted to find some kind of release. But with depression, I wanted to hurt myself because I felt like I deserved it. So, my arms would almost be covered in cuts daily. It all started with a small cut as a cry for help, but very quickly turned into an addiction. When I had motivation to get better, I wanted something beautiful on my arm to cover these scars up. Now, I have a tattoo that says ‘This too shall pass’ with a peony that symbolizes healing. Whenever I have urges to self-harm, I instantly look to my arm to where I usually cut and I see this beautiful tattoo with a meaningful message and I just cry it out until the feeling has passed. It has helped me, and has also sparked up the conversation of mental health with others! It’s more than just a tattoo, it’s my journey to recovery.” — Reshmi C.
#49
This is my second tattoo, done on June 5, 2012. I came across this phrase a few months ago and knew right away that I wanted it done. To make a very long story short, I’ve gone through many surgeries, severe allergies, and overall tons of health issues throughout my life (you can sort of see part of my main scar here that goes across my entire stomach and bottom left side). The number one reaction I hate getting is one like “Poor Lauren, that’s so terrible, I feel so bad for you!”. I don’t like to be pitied and felt sorry for over issues that I cannot control. I was born with what life gave me, and I’ve always just dealt with it without sitting around and feeling sorry for myself or wanting pity from others.
#51
The Cube Cat 7 years ago
I love how it turns the scar into a reminder , instead of trying to hide it
#54
Kira Thesloth 7 years ago
Looks like she's lost weight in the second picture. Good for her if that's the case, if not then that tattoo is awesome on multiple levels!
#56
Sergio Bicerra 7 years ago
I wonder what surgery leaves a scar like that. Anyway, perfectlly hidden.
#59
piggy panda 7 years ago
bast one it is absolutely beautiful and is simple in color but complex in design love it
#63
She received that scar from a nasty car accident. It was the other persons fault! Thankfully i was able to work over the scar, some can be super difficult to work on.
#70
Andrea Van Delden 7 years ago
When I see your scars I feel your pain. When I see your tattoo I feel your strength!
#75
#77
criminalgirl 7 years ago
That's superb surgery by the way, perfect closure. Pity no colour in the rose.
#79
Crystal Guider 7 years ago
Amazing how the vines are used to cover the scaring. It just makes it appear 3d. It really gives it life.
#84
Cathy Hurd 2 years ago
I'll have to remember this (I'm looking at a 3rd back surgery, 2 lumbar the next will be cervical)
#87
Emily Rose 7 years ago
I have a huge scar on my leg from multiple surgeries... these make me what to get tattooed so bad!
#93
In the legend of Zelda, particularly in the ocarina of time and majoras mask, you can capture pink recovery fairies in bottles and release them to heal you. If you die while you're in battle and you have a recovery fairy, it will automatically revive you, effectively giving yourself another chance to beat the boss. I got my tattoo as a reminder to myself that even though i don't have a recovery fairy on hand, there's still hope and I don't still have another chance to try.
#97
Desiree Summer 7 years ago
I want to get a mandala type flower like that to cover my self harm scars on my wrist, and this is beautiful inspiration!
#103
#110
Final score:
32points
#111
#114
Donna Oades 7 years ago
This is amazing, you can't even see the scars! What does the writing say?
#116
Final score:
29points
Robyn Zelickson 2 years ago
I think it'd be a good one to cover a heart surgery scar. It would represent the fact that you're a member of the zipper club.
#122
Final score:
26points
Hannah McCormick (Submission author) 7 years ago
I Haven’t Self Harmed Since I Got This, About 2 Months Ago.the Semi Colon Represents Suicide Awareness. When A Writer Uses A Semicolon, They Could Have Ended The Sentence, But They Didn’t. You Are The Author. The Sentence Is Your Life. The Ekg Heartbeat Is For When I Contemplated Suicide.
#124
Donna Oades 7 years ago
I love how the bigger scars are used for the white shading, it all blends so well!
#125
Final score:
25points
Brianna Kufa (Submission author) 7 years ago
I broke my back in a paragliding accident. The tattoo tells the story of why I crashed, and everything I learned from it. Nobody notices my scar anymore. 😊
#127
#129
James Peters 7 years ago
Very nice, stylized, and refined -- this should still GOOD in years to come -- do not color it or add any more to it!
#133
Final score:
21points
#134
Final score:
21points
#136
Final score:
20points
#138
Final score:
20points
#143
Final score:
18points
Richard Brown 7 years ago
My late wife had Chiari surgery and would have liked this idea... God Bless!
#144
Final score:
16points
#147
Final score:
15points
Nicolas Letarte 7 years ago
I saw another similar heart beat tattoo. The woman told it was her baby's lasts beats printed out from the electro-cardiograph. Very sad.
#152
Final score:
11points
#157
Final score:
10points
#160
Final score:
9points
#166
Final score:
6points
#177
Final score:
4points
#185
Final score:
3points
#189
Final score:
3points
#196
Final score:
2points
#198
Final score:
1point
#205
Final score:
-3points
#206
Final score:
-4points
Rachelle McDonald (Submission author) 7 years ago
After the loss of my daughter at 4 1/2 months to SIDS I lost a large part of myself... My failed suicide attempt left both of my arms with severe scars & I needed something to remind me to keep going, and honor my daughter's memory. I haven't self harmed in a little over a year — baby steps.
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What do you think ?
Brenda Olano 7 years ago
This is a great post and I'm happy for people and their choices to cover their scars ♥ But I'm seeing lots of negative comments lately, come on people let's do better, let's not focus in the bad or ugly things. My grandma used to say: If you've got nothing good to say, better don't say anything :)
Lux Lucis 7 years ago
I'm so happy for especially the people who had their self-harm scars covered. It's really a battle to stop sometimes. I know first-hand.
Donna Oades 7 years ago
Some of them are so amazing, you can't even see the scars anymore. I wish mine were less, so that I could get a tattoo, but my skin is so deformed now that I don't think tattoos would cover it :/
Load More Replies...
Paulina 7 years ago
I started to browse this gallery only to be stopped by my partner... turns out I was crying without even knowing. The amount of bravery and strength in those posts - mostly by people that went through self-harm or surgeries - is overwhelming. Thank you, signed: ex-cutter-too.
Brenda Olano 7 years ago
This is a great post and I'm happy for people and their choices to cover their scars ♥ But I'm seeing lots of negative comments lately, come on people let's do better, let's not focus in the bad or ugly things. My grandma used to say: If you've got nothing good to say, better don't say anything :)
Lux Lucis 7 years ago
I'm so happy for especially the people who had their self-harm scars covered. It's really a battle to stop sometimes. I know first-hand.
Donna Oades 7 years ago
Some of them are so amazing, you can't even see the scars anymore. I wish mine were less, so that I could get a tattoo, but my skin is so deformed now that I don't think tattoos would cover it :/
Load More Replies... Paulina 7 years ago
I started to browse this gallery only to be stopped by my partner... turns out I was crying without even knowing. The amount of bravery and strength in those posts - mostly by people that went through self-harm or surgeries - is overwhelming. Thank you, signed: ex-cutter-too.
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