BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Body Art Body Art Over Scars?

I doubt it's possible, but I'm wondering if anyone knows if tattoos can be done over scar tissue.....

I've had 2 back surgeries and over 20 years of pain. I recently started bellydancing and in the 2nd or 3rd class, something in my permanently maligned (L5 and S1 are fused crooked) lower back busted loose and I haven't had 90% of the horrendous pain I've had driving and sitting for over a month now. I have been sick and in pain for soooooooo long that you have no idea what this means to me <img src="/images/graemlins/beamedup.gif" alt="" />

The bellydance instructor is also expanding the studio into the first retail store of its kind in our area, and my art and jewelry fits, so we're getting really excited about that as well.

My second surgery was a year ago, and I noticed the other day that the scar is pretty bad this time. I don't want to cover it with clothing - I want the traditional bellydance costume although dresses are available.

Bellydance has brought some long lost passion back into my life for many reasons. I'm thinking about having a tattoo done on top of or around the scars to make a statement - I'm turning 50 in May and I'm proud of the way I look, I'm grateful to be able to exercise again and to be relieved of pain and that I'm moving through my grief and into the second half of my life.

In my state tattoos are illegal but I drive to Arkansas several times a week for my job. I've had a small rose on my right hip since I was 19, and no one sees that one unless I want them to <img src="/images/graemlins/devil.gif" alt="" />

I'm wondering if anyone has any knowledge of whether this could be done, and I'll take design suggestions as well! <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Parthena,

Yes, tattooing can be done over scars. That's amazing how your back is suddenly doing so much better with the bellydancing.

There are a few things to think about when tattooing over scar tissue. First of all, the tissue must be at least a year old. Scar tissue changes over time and you want the skin to have "settled." If the scar is still red at all, it's still doing it's thing. You want to wait until it has faded to a whitish or skin tone. I asked one of my tattoists once about tattooing over scar tissue and he said that compared to unscarred skin, it felt like plastic.

The nature of the scar tissue can have an effect on the design. Raised tissue is often best incorporated or worked around, versus just tattooed over. Really, I'd have to see the scar if I was going to make any design suggestions that were productive. Think about where you are in your life. Think about the transformation that has been happening and continues to happen.

You might do some dream work to see if a tattoo idea comes to you... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, Rae! I'd have to get a pic for you, it's hard to describe. I was upset to see an indentation that almost looks like a hole <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> but it's above the area I'd have done. Below that, there are lines that almost look like - tree branches! I'm getting ideas now, lol!

I've also considered putting "Dr. T. is a lying @#$%*&!!!" but the point is to put the past behind me! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ooohh, wouldn't it be cool to get something that would "move" with me.....since that part of my back is pretty active when I'm dancing! Maybe snakes.......

You know, I've been working on getting jewelry designs from my dreams. I haven't actively remembered them, but I made some beautiful pieces for the last craft fair.

Parthena,

I always tell people that they get the tattoo they deserve, so I'd think carefully about that doctor comment... LOL...

There are a lot of bellydancers in the SF area who are tattooed. You might meditate on a picture of your back and see if a design becomes apparent in the scar patterning. I read about a tattoist who did that when designing a large cover-up tattoo for a client. He stared at a picture of the tattoos to be covered and then one day he "saw" the cover-up design.

When picking an artist, I'd try and find one who had some experience with working over scars and scar tissue if possible.

Parthena, even before I read this I immediately had the impression of Ivy vines, or rose vines; because I was thinking about how they would look as you move! And once that "hole" is healed over enough, you can tattoo a rose (or other design) around it so that it looks like it has depth. Ooooo if you go with the snake idea an Oroubos! <img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Just wanted to note that I do not have my lower back tattooed but friends who do have reported that it is most painful over the spine and the kidneys. So you may want to not have lots of detail over these spots.

Ouch! Never thought about that!

Speaking of pain Rae;

Can they ever use a topical analgesic (like xylocaine) to help numb the area? Or does the needle go so deep that a topical does no good? I realize that doing a local would puf the skin too much and add liquid to the area (causing quite a mess I would assume).

Of course, many times in areas where there is scar tissue, there is often not much feeling, because many of the nerve endings have been severed.

When it comes to body art, anesthesics aren't really going to work. Anything that's available over-the-counter isn't going to stop the pain, and anything else would be illegal for anyone other than a doctor or nurse to administer.

a friend of mine is a recovering cutter and in order to be able to work with kids she either had too wear long sleeves or get an acceptable tattoo.
Shes gone into get retouches on it i think 2x now due to fading, tho it still looks good despite her tanning and scar tissue.

That's great! Both that she was able to recover, and that the tattoos have been able to cover her scars. "Cutting" is a hard (it's not an addiction - more like a compulsion) to get over.

She must have had a hard life. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />