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)
#1
#2
#3
Image source: Custom Tattoo Design
#4
Image source: garnettattoo
#5
Image source: tatoobaku
#6
Image source: sygov_
#7
Image source: volkantattooz
#8
Image source: erdogancavdar
#9
#10
Image source: hombroycodo
#11
Image source: denisenko_tattoo
#12
Image source: bexhope
#13
Image source: bodyartbymel
#14
Image source: SwollenGoat68
#15
#16
Image source: beautiful-nightmares12
#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.
Image source: Lauren S.
#18
Image source: mighele
#19
Image source: soltattoo
#20
Image source: romanordtattoo
#21
Image source: reddit.com
#22
Image source: tattoobyunique
#23
Image source: juanchotattoo1982
#24
Image source: Masa Tattooer
#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.
Image source: Shannon P
#26
#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.
Image source: Zari S.
#28
Image source: brustkrebs_tattoos
#29
Image source: ilwolhongdam
#30
Image source: siclovanandrei
#31
#32
Image source: jamestattoo_chiangmai
#33
Image source: Jaylandtoy Remoriras tattoo
#34
Image source: pablo.pic.ass.o
#35
Image source: tinagmandarina
#36
Image source: badwu1f
#37
Image source: ajinktattoo
#38
Image source: francis_field
#39
Image source: BelfastTattooCollective
#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.
Image source: the.dishy
#41
#42
Image source: barbara.ink
#43
Image source: nicolemariemccord
#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.
Image source: stevierandallyn
#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.
Image source: Reshmi C.
#47
Image source: nelsoncairestattoos
#48
Image source: ashtray_arts_tattoos
#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.
Image source: betterthanthebesttattoos
#50
Image source: Daedra Art & Tattoo – Flavia Carvalho
#51
#52
Image source: tattoozone
#53
Image source: eve_21_
#54
Image source: rachelrascasse
#55
Image source: jannickewiesehansen
#56
Image source: clodia.black
#57
Image source: tonchakorn
#58
#59
Image source: ditaotao
#60
Image source: tribalinkdelhi
#61
Image source: zihee_tattoo
#62
#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.
Image source: ferbzilla
#64
Image source: brustkrebs_tattoos
#65
Image source: pundy83_is_a_girl_on_mission
#66
Image source: erdogancavdar
#67
Image source: sharpmatty
#68
Image source: victormontaghini
#69
Image source: danktat
#70
Image source: erdogancavdar
#71
Image source: zihwa_tattooer
#72
Image source: ivo_inaciojr
#73
Image source: dandi_craniumtattoo
#74
Image source: fuchsbau_taetowierhandwerk
#75
Image source: woori_tattoo
#76
Image source: blackcattattooreno
#77
Image source: tattoosbyeloise
#78
#79
Image source: Erdoğan Çavdar
#80
Image source: javierevo30
#81
Image source: inknorante_tattoo
#82
Image source: lyuba.els_tattoo
#83
#84
Image source: friday_jones
#85
Image source: Daedra Art & Tattoo – Flavia Carvalho
#86
Image source: damarisarguelles
#87
Image source: fr3emindtattoo
#88
Image source: morgandanatattoos
#89
Image source: erdogancavdar
#90
#91
Image source: rizeinktattoo
#92
Image source: juliaseizure
#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.
Image source: Caitlin Erickson
#94
Image source: mukatattoo
#95
#96
Image source: sindjel_design_tattoo_piercing
#97
Image source: mooncattattoo
#98
Image source: jaquetattoo
#99
Image source: ohtanyagee
#100
Image source: jen_ink
#101
Image source: nickishort_tattoos
#102
Image source: tomotattoo
#103
Image source: dawnmariecooke
#104
Image source: cakefaceq
#105
Image source: zihwa_tattooer
#106
Image source: doneldie
#107
Image source: fajnerzeczy
#108
Image source: carloswochingtattooer
#109
Image source: ricosaldivar
#110
#111
Image source: tattooshy
#112
Image source: malaresendiz
#113
Image source: leomendeztattoo
#114
Image source: soltattoo
#115
Image source: bmtattoo
#116
#117
Image source: tattooist_zueun
#118
Image source: delvalleart
#119
Image source: carlosornelastattoo
#120
Image source: alexandersalmander
#121
Image source: myttoos_tattoos
#122
#123
Image source: barbara.ink
#124
Image source: ecebas_
#125
#126
Image source: tattoosbysantiago
#127
Image source: bonoelvira
#128
Image source: karmmatattoo
#129
Image source: amo.one.tattoo
#130
Image source: isamyling
#131
Image source: boscostattoosxsouthstreet
#132
Image source: Erdoğan Çavdar
#133
#134
#135
#136
#137
Image source: Designed%20by%20Amy%20Lee%20Designs,%20tattooed%20by%20Thou%20Art%20Sheffield
#138
#139
Image source: suluapeangela
#140
#141
#142
#143
#144
#145
Image source: gueosantos
#146
Image source: joeniderno
#147
#148
#149
Image source: ruffenough
#150
Image source: vanessabaliana
#151
Image source: inigo42
#152
#153
#154
#155
#156
#157
#158
#159
#160
#161
#162
Image source: tinalouisetattoos
#163
#164
#165
#166
#167
#168
#169
#170
Image source: Culture%20Tattoos%20(Enid,%20OK)
#171
#172
#173
#174
Image source: My%20tattoo
#175
#176
#177
#178
#179
#180
#181
#182
#183
#184
#185
#186
#187
#188
#189
#190
#191
#192
#193
#194
#195
#196
#197
#198
#199
#200
#201
#202
#203
#204
#205
#206
#207
#208
#209
#210
Follow Us
