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We already published an article about tattoos covering up birthmarks and another one about inking over scars so we figured why not do a piece that combines the two together. After all, millions of people have blemishes on their skin that they're not excited about and there are plenty of ways to transform them into works of art.

This list by Bored Panda is full of beautiful, funny, and simply genius designs that 'healed' old body wounds and marks. And maybe a few mental bruises that came with them as well. So scroll down to check them out for yourself, upvote your favorites, you know how it goes.

#1

The Most Meaningful Tattoo I’ve Ever Done. Scar Cover-Up For This Amazing Woman. I Have No Words To Describe This Process

The Most Meaningful Tattoo I’ve Ever Done. Scar Cover-Up For This Amazing Woman. I Have No Words To Describe This Process

danasha.tattoo Report

To learn more about these delicate cover-ups, we contacted Jesse Whitley, the owner of Stagecoach Tattoo Co. in Lubbock, Texas. "The most experienced artists can work with or around birthmarks, whereas scar tissue can be tattooed directly over," Jesse told Bored Panda. "Tattooing over a scar actually breaks down the scar tissue."

However, Whitley highlighted that the severity of the scar will influence the artist's ability to make a good tattoo in and around the affected area. "When tattooing over a scar, you have to understand that it is a different type of skin and holds ink differently than normal unaffected skin."

#2

Check Out This Amazing Before And After Photo By Our Artist, Gustavo

Check Out This Amazing Before And After Photo By Our Artist, Gustavo

empowertattoo Report

#3

A Camouflage Of Childhood Domestic Burn

A Camouflage Of Childhood Domestic Burn

pinkdermographie Report

According to health experts, scarred skin is harder and more irregular, therefore it is less able to absorb ink than regular skin.

It's also possible that the ink will migrate and cause the tattoo to look smudged or unclear. Therefore, it's vital that people choose an experienced artist.

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Everyone’s body is different. That means everyone's level of pain tolerance is different, too. However, scar tissue is generally more sensitive to the needle. For some, especially those whose scars have caused nerve damage or compression, getting a cover-up tattoo might be extremely painful.

#4

Make The Most Of What You've Got

Make The Most Of What You've Got

tomsandys Report

#5

Scar Tattoo

Scar Tattoo

camurtattoo Report

#6

I Have No Words To Describe How Much I Was Looking Forward To Doing This Work And All That Are To Come

I Have No Words To Describe How Much I Was Looking Forward To Doing This Work And All That Are To Come

raquelgauthier Report

One of the people whose tattoo you see in this list is designer and art director Deepali Masand. We contacted her and Deepali agreed to share her story — the woman gave an honest account of how she ended up with this beautiful cat design.

Everything started when she was 13 and got into a car accident. Deepali's left arm got stuck between the road and the vehicle, and she ended up with a huge burn-like scar.

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#7

Lily On A Rock. Design Is Based On The Client’s Birthmark

Lily On A Rock. Design Is Based On The Client’s Birthmark

studiobysol Report

#8

This Scar Cover-Up Tattoo

This Scar Cover-Up Tattoo

Yulinka17 Report

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#9

Covered Up Old Self-Harm Scars With My First Tattoo

Covered Up Old Self-Harm Scars With My First Tattoo

henrytwood Report

#10

Sometimes It Is Enough To Cleverly Integrate A Scar Instead Of Covering It

Sometimes It Is Enough To Cleverly Integrate A Scar Instead Of Covering It

dimistattoo Report

"Back in 2003, when the scar was still fresh, everyone suggested plastic surgery," she told Bored Panda. "But as time passed, I got really comfortable with that scar. It had stopped bothering me per se."

"Then fast-forward to 2018, when I lost my first fur baby. That [also scarred me]. I made an illustration as an ode to his passing for an Inktober prompt called 'Tranquil.' But this year, when I was about to turn 30, I decided to finally ink something that was meaningful to me, on me — I had been meaning to get a tattoo for the longest time."

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#11

Very Interesting Custom Project Around A Scar. I Guess I Could Call It “Scar Upcycling”

Very Interesting Custom Project Around A Scar. I Guess I Could Call It “Scar Upcycling”

nein666_tattoo Report

#12

My Nephew Finally Had His Burning Scars Covered With A Tattoo. I Am So Proud Of My Boy! Made Me Smile And Also Made Me Cry Of Happiness

My Nephew Finally Had His Burning Scars Covered With A Tattoo. I Am So Proud Of My Boy! Made Me Smile And Also Made Me Cry Of Happiness

ImaGeisha4u Report

#13

This Is Genius

This Is Genius

hellcock Report

#14

This Is A 40-Year-Old Scar And We Covered It With Some Cherry Blossoms And Butterflies

This Is A 40-Year-Old Scar And We Covered It With Some Cherry Blossoms And Butterflies

p.ink.y_pix_kpt Report

The designer said she had an epiphany. "It hit me in the middle of the night. I had to cover my scar with a beautiful memory. I reached out to a very dear and supremely talented friend Arnab that very moment."

"He also happens to be [an awesome] tattoo and graffiti artist and he was super stoked to hear this idea."

#15

Got To Do This Rad Wine Glass To Work With A Birthmark Today

Got To Do This Rad Wine Glass To Work With A Birthmark Today

guesspre Report

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#16

Turning Scar To Fishbone

Turning Scar To Fishbone

pimpotattoo Report

#17

The Process Of Closing The Scars

The Process Of Closing The Scars

medikaldovmeler Report

#18

Finally Done Something With My Scar

Finally Done Something With My Scar

Dasgoog Report

"I had a couple of needle pokes on me as experiments but this was my first machine tattoo," Deepali explained. "The process was pretty seamless, as it was a friend who was going to ink on me. I bestowed the utmost trust upon him, as he's an animal lover too, and he just reciprocated the same."

"Arnab took inspiration from my illustration and made it his own. We built upon ideas as it went, a Van Gogh-like moon in green and blue inks and a little bit of scar to show through the moon's crater-like texture. It was meant to honor both the memory of the scar and my cat."

#19

This Was Fun

This Was Fun

pat_theblackcattattoo Report

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#20

C-Section Tattoo Cover-Up

C-Section Tattoo Cover-Up

Cúc chose to tattoo chrysanthemum because it's her favorite color and also her name in Vietnamese.

ngocliketattoo Report

#21

Scar Cover-Up

Scar Cover-Up

michallyszczarz_dotbull Report

#22

Hooked

Hooked

halfrican_art Report

Deepali said she had been warned that it might hurt but everything was finished in a single 3-hour session. "I can rather proudly say that I sat like a rock, more so because it meant so much to me and also the scar area was mostly dead skin."

"It was so overwhelming to see this tattoo get so much love, those who'd met my cat, Billu, had been touched by him in some sort of way (scratches included), and it almost felt like he's getting all that love via the tattoo."

#23

My Dog Running Across My Scar

My Dog Running Across My Scar

FLSTSBrider Report

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#24

Simple Rainbow Concept

Simple Rainbow Concept

rize.ink Report

#25

Scars Are Tattoos With Better Stories

Scars Are Tattoos With Better Stories

screaminktattoos_ Report

#26

Update On My Tattoo That Covers A Bad Nip, An Old Tattoo, And Some Top Surgery Scars

Update On My Tattoo That Covers A Bad Nip, An Old Tattoo, And Some Top Surgery Scars

gilbertthefishx Report

Deepali thinks tattoos are life-altering. "In a weird way, you feel like a different person; more aligned and aware. You also realize that pain is just something in your mind ... we can endure much more than we imagine!" And it's definitely visible in the photos.

It's we who define and give meaning to our scars. Not the other way around.

#27

After 6 Years, Many Laser Scar Removal Treatments, Scar Strips And So, I Decided To Get A Tattoo Over My Scars And Loving The Result

After 6 Years, Many Laser Scar Removal Treatments, Scar Strips And So, I Decided To Get A Tattoo Over My Scars And Loving The Result

Round-Net-2260 Report

#28

We Continued A Project That I Really Enjoyed And Was Excited To Do. A Sleeve Of Snowflakes Between Birthmarks That Have Become Clouds

We Continued A Project That I Really Enjoyed And Was Excited To Do. A Sleeve Of Snowflakes Between Birthmarks That Have Become Clouds

nimketattoo Report

#29

So My Sister Has Wanted Her Birth Mark Covered For A While Now And So She Wanted This

So My Sister Has Wanted Her Birth Mark Covered For A While Now And So She Wanted This

teetattooing Report

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#30

Paw Print Tattoo Around A Birthmark

Paw Print Tattoo Around A Birthmark

hneuburger33 Report

#31

One Way To Work Around A Scar

One Way To Work Around A Scar

michaelmansfieldtattoos Report

#32

Birth Mark Tattoo

Birth Mark Tattoo

goldfatherink Report

#33

Scar Cover-Up Tattoo

Scar Cover-Up Tattoo

mrhillstattoo Report

#34

Little Scar Cover From 2013

Little Scar Cover From 2013

nicowagnertattoo Report

#35

Scar Cover-Up. Really Pleased With This Delicate Piece

Scar Cover-Up. Really Pleased With This Delicate Piece

joharrisontattoo Report

#36

Birthmark Transformed Into A Cherry

Birthmark Transformed Into A Cherry

electrik_ink_timisoara Report

#37

Scar Butterfly

Scar Butterfly

abbeyxhalfaxa Report

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#38

Scar Cover-Up

Scar Cover-Up

Mrobinson4594 Report

#39

First Session Of A Scar Cover-Up Completed, Still Need To Add Cherry Blossoms And Background

First Session Of A Scar Cover-Up Completed, Still Need To Add Cherry Blossoms And Background

nervous_simulation Report

#40

Something A Bit Different. Outlined A Good Friend's Of Mine Birthmark

Something A Bit Different. Outlined A Good Friend's Of Mine Birthmark

jwhitley2041 Report

#41

Turning Lemons Into Wine

Turning Lemons Into Wine

uhhhhtaco Report

#42

Tattoo Scar Cover-Up 3 Years Post-Op

Tattoo Scar Cover-Up 3 Years Post-Op

nick9824 Report

#43

Within 1 Hour A Birthmark Turns Into A Moustache. Oh My God, We Had So Much Fun

Within 1 Hour A Birthmark Turns Into A Moustache. Oh My God, We Had So Much Fun

xris.buck Report

#44

I Had The Opportunity To Work On And Especially With This Pretty Scar Which Served As A Bench For Monsieur Le Baron

I Had The Opportunity To Work On And Especially With This Pretty Scar Which Served As A Bench For Monsieur Le Baron

lucanetattooshop Report

#45

No Scars Are Impossible, They Just Need The Right Solution

No Scars Are Impossible, They Just Need The Right Solution

jannickewiesehansen Report

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#46

Scar Tattoo Cover-Up

Scar Tattoo Cover-Up

idan_ditchi Report

#47

This Is An Incredible Cover-Up

This Is An Incredible Cover-Up

bartzavattero.tattoo Report

#48

Thanks To My Client For Coming In To Get This Floral Scar Distraction Piece

Thanks To My Client For Coming In To Get This Floral Scar Distraction Piece

We went with something a little simplistic and instead of trying to hide the scars just tried to incorporate them into the design. The take away is that the blood we have spilled in sadness can water a beautiful garden of joy if you only allow room for growth. Let’s be thankful for this day of life.

anthonyinkco Report

#49

Scar's Cover

Scar's Cover

archiii_ink_art Report

#50

Without A Doubt The Most Fun I've Ever Done

Without A Doubt The Most Fun I've Ever Done

sebastiaan0172 Report

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#51

Highlighted Her Birthmark Rather Than Covering Entirely. It’s So Meaningful To Me When Clients Tell Me That My Works Give Them Confidence Boosts. Love You All

Highlighted Her Birthmark Rather Than Covering Entirely. It’s So Meaningful To Me When Clients Tell Me That My Works Give Them Confidence Boosts. Love You All

cactus.cacta Report

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#52

Birthmark Into This Bold Sunflower Tattoo

Birthmark Into This Bold Sunflower Tattoo

mglatattoo Report

#53

What Do You Do With An Awkward Scar? Add Patrick Tattoo

What Do You Do With An Awkward Scar? Add Patrick Tattoo

magnetdragon Report

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#54

Camouflage With A Deep Scar Tissue Loss

Camouflage With A Deep Scar Tissue Loss

pinkdermographie Report

#55

Scar Tattoo Cover-Up

Scar Tattoo Cover-Up

pekarei_fischamend Report

#56

Friends Tattoo Covering Self-Harm Scar. 15 Months Sober Stronger Now. They Were There For Me. I Commit To Be There For My Friends

Friends Tattoo Covering Self-Harm Scar. 15 Months Sober Stronger Now. They Were There For Me. I Commit To Be There For My Friends

lyricalpoet66 Report

#57

Watercolour Scar Cover-Up

Watercolour Scar Cover-Up

ReIapse_ Report

#58

This Is What I Call An Amazing Idea. Done On The Base Of A Natural Body Mark

This Is What I Call An Amazing Idea. Done On The Base Of A Natural Body Mark

voidobiov Report

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#59

Scar Cover-Up

Scar Cover-Up

M0th_gf Report

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#60

Got Tattooed Around Some Fresh Scarring From A Suicide Attempt. It's The Burning Bush From Moses' Story In Exodus. It Represents That, Going Forward, I Will Not Be Consumed

Got Tattooed Around Some Fresh Scarring From A Suicide Attempt. It's The Burning Bush From Moses' Story In Exodus. It Represents That, Going Forward, I Will Not Be Consumed

enby93 Report

#61

On A Large Surgical Scar On The Arm I Tattooed A Rose Dreamcatcher

On A Large Surgical Scar On The Arm I Tattooed A Rose Dreamcatcher

tattooer_nina Report

#62

Got This Tattoo To Cover-Up Self-Harm Scars. I Started Self-Harming When I Was In 6th Grade All The Way Up Until My Sophomore In College. So Far I’ve Been 4 Years Self-Harm Free

Got This Tattoo To Cover-Up Self-Harm Scars. I Started Self-Harming When I Was In 6th Grade All The Way Up Until My Sophomore In College. So Far I’ve Been 4 Years Self-Harm Free

dreadeltrap Report

#63

Think Twice

Think Twice

gunyks.ink Report

#64

Welding This Long Scar

Welding This Long Scar

trueaddictiontattoo Report

#65

Knife As A Scar Cover-Up

Knife As A Scar Cover-Up

konna_x Report

#66

So, Aurelie Came To Me To A Flower Tattoo On Her Wrist Before. Today She Came With A Particular Project About Her Scar

So, Aurelie Came To Me To A Flower Tattoo On Her Wrist Before. Today She Came With A Particular Project About Her Scar

It's something that she never really accepted, even if she got her scar when she was a little little kid. Some stuff goes with time, other don't. So we talked about what she wanted to do with it, and she told me about a quote from a French song from Saez, with a word play about sewing silk (soie) and ourself (soi). It made me think of a similar wordplay that I love in a beautiful song from Dooz Kawa, and finally, the project draw itself to end as what you can see! I was very touched to be the one to work on this project. I love scar project tattooing, and I knew it was really hard for her to let someone work on it, but she's definitely a very strong women and she was awesome!

poulby_tattoo Report

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#67

Covering The Scar After Unsuccessful Tattoo Removal. One Big Session

Covering The Scar After Unsuccessful Tattoo Removal. One Big Session

katy_mirt Report

#68

Tattoo, That Turn Birthmark Into Piece Of Art

Tattoo, That Turn Birthmark Into Piece Of Art

Yulinka17 Report

#69

Stacie Was So Happy To Get To Do These Tattoos For This Client

Stacie Was So Happy To Get To Do These Tattoos For This Client

empowertattoo Report

#70

There Are Times When A Tattoo Can Serve A Useful Function. For Example, Covering Scars. This Is Especially True For Those With Large Scars That Create Aesthetic Discomfort For The Wearer

There Are Times When A Tattoo Can Serve A Useful Function. For Example, Covering Scars. This Is Especially True For Those With Large Scars That Create Aesthetic Discomfort For The Wearer

tattoostudioangel Report

#71

Delicate Work On The Scar, Very Happy With The Result, Thanks To Sandra For Trusting Me With This

Delicate Work On The Scar, Very Happy With The Result, Thanks To Sandra For Trusting Me With This

hembratattoo Report

#72

What To Do With A Mean-Looking Shoulder Scar? Zip It Up, Zip It Up

What To Do With A Mean-Looking Shoulder Scar? Zip It Up, Zip It Up

friday_jones Report

#73

Scar Cover-Up

Scar Cover-Up

shelbyharper Report

#74

Love Your Scars, They Are The Map Of Your Life, The Path Traveled And The Certainty That You Are Stronger Than You Thought

Love Your Scars, They Are The Map Of Your Life, The Path Traveled And The Certainty That You Are Stronger Than You Thought

shuyvelardetattoos Report

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#75

Should I Regret Or Ask Myself Are You Dead Yet?

Should I Regret Or Ask Myself Are You Dead Yet?

demianwarheart Report

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#76

There Are Two Marks On Our Skin That Are Forever: Scars And Tattoos

There Are Two Marks On Our Skin That Are Forever: Scars And Tattoos

geo.quinterotattoo Report

#77

Tattoo Cover-Up For Old Scars

Tattoo Cover-Up For Old Scars

annisgay Report

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#78

Got A Cover-Up Tattoo For The Scars On My Right Arm, I'm So Happy With The Result

Got A Cover-Up Tattoo For The Scars On My Right Arm, I'm So Happy With The Result

Santiago_1325 Report

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#79

Scar Cover. Would Love To Do More

Scar Cover. Would Love To Do More

chloetattoo Report

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#80

Got Tired Of Seeing My Ugly Scar, So I Covered It Up

Got Tired Of Seeing My Ugly Scar, So I Covered It Up

Succulentsucking69 Report

#81

Lil Smiley Tattoo I've Made Out Of Birthmarks 2 Days Ago

Lil Smiley Tattoo I've Made Out Of Birthmarks 2 Days Ago

Annikaas Report

#82

Scar Coverage. This Work Is Part Of My Project: "Covering Scars"

Scar Coverage. This Work Is Part Of My Project: "Covering Scars"

bartzavattero.tattoo Report

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#83

Covered A Pair Of Scars On One Brave Lady

Covered A Pair Of Scars On One Brave Lady

tattoosbythomgreen Report

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#84

My New Scar Coverup

My New Scar Coverup

catlicker9000 Report

#85

Fish And Scars For Fisherman

Fish And Scars For Fisherman

bryndal_tattoo Report

#86

Salmon Anatomy

Salmon Anatomy

adussynk Report

#87

Just Got This Tattoo Over Some Scars, Thought Y'all Might Appreciate It

Just Got This Tattoo Over Some Scars, Thought Y'all Might Appreciate It

SoundSecret Report

#88

Finished Up This Piece For Logan The Other Day! Thanks For Your Trust

Finished Up This Piece For Logan The Other Day! Thanks For Your Trust

Working with scarring is a specialty of mine - surgery, self-harm and accidents. I'm a strong believer in the transformative power of tattooing and this is just one of the many ways I can put it into action. It is a slow process and varies greatly person to person as minimizing skin damage and managing client's pain is always key.

beckyd_tattoo Report

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#89

Just Got A Lightsaber Tattoo To Add To An Old Scar

Just Got A Lightsaber Tattoo To Add To An Old Scar

rgoobie Report

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#90

Scar Tattoo

Scar Tattoo

lay.tattoos Report

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#91

Here's My New Trans Tattoo To Go With My Top Surgery Scars. I Am In Love

Here's My New Trans Tattoo To Go With My Top Surgery Scars. I Am In Love

eyemermusic Report

#92

Flowers Covering Scars

Flowers Covering Scars

divine.tattoo.barber Report

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#93

Coverage Of Scars That Happened On Luciene, Thank You For Your Trust

Coverage Of Scars That Happened On Luciene, Thank You For Your Trust

daiaraujotattoo Report

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#94

Fish Tattoo Blending In With The Scar

Fish Tattoo Blending In With The Scar

streetboyink Report

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#95

Scar Cover

Scar Cover

have.tadduus Report

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#96

Zip It Up

Zip It Up

chromegypsytattoo Report

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#97

Tiny Reminder To Smile Today And Enjoy Life. Love It When People Come With Ideas That Match So Well With Their Unique Bodies And Birthmarks

Tiny Reminder To Smile Today And Enjoy Life. Love It When People Come With Ideas That Match So Well With Their Unique Bodies And Birthmarks

ser.poke Report

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#98

I Engraved A Lizard With A Very Long Tongue To A Customer Who Wants To Become A Grandfather With A Funny Wound In The Future

I Engraved A Lizard With A Very Long Tongue To A Customer Who Wants To Become A Grandfather With A Funny Wound In The Future

I hope the lizard becomes a lucky charm.

heomul.ttt Report