15 Tattoo Coverup Ideas: Temporary and Permanent Solutions for the Office
People change; a tattoo we used to love may no longer coexist with the image of ourselves we want to project. Whether your tattoo may not be seen as professional in the workplace or you no longer like the design you had done a decade ago, we have some tattoo coverup ideas for you to look through.
We’ll talk about permanent solutions versus temporary solutions and give you some inspiration if you decide to get a coverup tattoo over an old tattoo you no longer feel fits who you are.
A Temporary or Permanent Solution?
When deciding how you want to cover your body art, you need to decide if you want the change to be temporary or permanent.
Are you:
- Going to a conference and want to make a good first impression with people you don’t know? Your solution can be temporary.
- Entering an industry that does not accept tattoos as professional for the workplace environment? You can either change the way you dress or find a permanent solution with removal.
- No longer happy with what the tattoo represents? You could get a coverup tattoo that better represents who you are.
Deciding that you no longer want a tattoo is possible, and you have a few options to pursue when it comes to tattoo removal. Some of them are not nearly as painful as rumor has it. If you can stomach the pain of getting a tattoo applied, you can probably handle getting an unwanted tattoo removed.
Here are the different options:
- Laser removal: Patients compare this pain to a bad sunburn or having someone continuously snap a rubber band against their skin. This option is one of the least painful, but it takes several appointments with multiple weeks for recovery in between. It’s not a short-term solution.
- Dermabrasion: This technique can happen more quickly, but involves sanding off the top layer of your skin.
- Surgery: The most intensive option, you can get the piece of skin with the tattoo surgically removed and have the rest stitched back together.
So while it’s possible, it’s understandable if removal is not your first choice.
You can also go with temporary solutions, such as applying makeup or being selective with your clothing choice. Some tattoos are easier to cover up than others. While a sleeve tattoo would be impractical to cover with makeup every day, it is easy to wear long sleeves. For a behind-the-ear tattoo, a dab of makeup could do the trick.
Best Coverup Tattoos
If you’re getting overwhelmed, thinking you’ll never find the right tattoo to cover up your previous tattoo, we’re here to show you it’s possible. Here are some tattoo coverup ideas that will make you believe in the power of a talented tattoo artist.
1. Rosey Upgrade
This freehand coverup by @guppy.flowertattoo is nothing short of stunning.
2. Black and White Flowers
We love this art by Tattoo Artist Cherry that uses dark shading with black and gray to cover a simpler design.
3. Hear Me Roar
Jack_Saunders really changed the game with this ambitious lion piece.
4. Incredible Dragon
How is this even the same arm? Aces N Spades Tattoo’s artist Khin did an amazing job with this coverup.
Small Tattoo Coverup Ideas
Sometimes we get small tattoos we think are rad in college, but decided years later that they weren’t quite as cool as we thought. Here are some small tattoo ideas to cover up old line work.
1. Thumbprint Heart
If you get darker lines, this adorable thumbprint heart by @tattoovasquez could be an inspiration.
2. Around the World
If you’re a traveler, this world map by @julianfelipesc would be a professional coverup idea.
3. Sunflower
This sunflower by 1920tattoozhub covers up the previous name nicely.
Forearm Coverup Tattoos
A forearm tattoo is another place that is relatively easy to cover up. As long as you choose a shirt with a long enough sleeve, your forearm tattoo won’t be visible at work or an interview.
However, if you’re looking to permanently coverup solution a tattoo you no longer love, here are some great ideas to go with.
1. Floral Mountain Landscape
This gorgeous floral sleeve by @angel_lira_tat2 could cover just about anything and it looks incredible.
2. Forearm Fox
@rachaelsawtelltattoo did a beautiful job with this fox tattoo.
3. Colorful Tulips
When in doubt, bright colors will cover most tattoos, just like the ones @nina.p.tattoo used here.
Finger Tattoo Coverup
Finger tattoos are tricky to cover up. While the small area can be easily covered with makeup, you’ll likely rub the makeup off within a few hours. And it’s not always possible, practical, or fashionable to wear gloves all the time. So here are some good tattoo designs to cover finger tattoos.
1. Vine Vibes
The dark lines and black ink in the floral piece by @sal.arroyo could easily cover another tattoo.
2. Rose Hand
When in doubt, do what @firstbloodtattoos did; cover your entire hand with a rose.
3. Dainty Dandelions
If your tattoo is really small, like a number or a name, something delicate like this dandelion featured on Our Mindful Life would be perfect.
Lower Back Tattoo Coverup
Unless you’re wearing a crop top or low-waisted pants, you shouldn’t have too much trouble hiding a lower back tattoo. However, there are certain jobs where these tattoos could be visible.
If you have a design that you no longer love, here are some ideas for body art that could cover it up.
1. Foxes and Birds
Love the animal artwork @kirrilystringer.tattoos did here!
2. Improved Artwork
The before and after done by @victoriaegantattoo is an awesome update. It’s never too late to get the tattoo you want.
Talk to an Artist About Tattoo Coverup Ideas
Still stuck on trying to find tattoo coverup ideas that work for you? Talk to a professional. Tattoo artists are there to help you find a work of art that will make you feel happy, confident, and professional.
Find an artist that has a style you like and talk with them about developing an original design that you love. Tattoos can be covered in a classy way, and if you aren’t loving your artist’s tattoo design options, you can always look for another professional.
Remember, you can always look at other people’s body art for inspiration, but don’t outright steal someone’s artwork. Always ask permission if you’d like to get someone else’s piece tattooed on yourself.
Author, Artist, Photographer.
Sarah Margaret is an artist who expresses her love for feminism, equality, and justice through a variety of mediums: photography, filmmaking, poetry, illustration, song, acting, and of course, writing.
She owns Still Poetry Photography, a company that showcases her passion for capturing poetic moments in time. Instead of poetry in motion, she captures visual poetry in fractions of a second, making cherished keepsakes of unforgettable moments.
She is the artist behind the Still Poetry Etsy shop, which houses her illustrations and bespoke, handmade items. She is the author of intricacies are just cracks in the wall, a narrative poetry anthology that follows a young woman discovering herself as she emerges from an abusive relationship.
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