Cover Up Tattoos

Machu Tattoos does custom cover up tattoo work across Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Coimbatore, Vizag and Pune. Our artists hide old names, faded ink, scars and tattoos gone wrong with fresh designs made for your skin. Book a free consultation, show us the tattoo, and we’ll tell you honestly what’s possible.

Last updated: October 2026

On this page:

• What is a cover up tattoo?
• Can my old tattoo be covered up?
• How our cover up tattoo artists work
• Cover up tattoo price: what affects it?
• Tattoo correction and rework
• Before and after cover ups
• Healing and aftercare
• FAQ

What Is a Cover Up Tattoo?

Covering up a tattoo means getting a new design that hides or blends in the old one. At Machu Tattoos, our experienced artists use different methods: we can modify your existing tattoo, or add new elements that fully cover the original.

Think of it as art built on top of art. The new design uses your old tattoo’s lines and shading as a base, so nothing shows through once it heals. Done well, nobody can tell there was ever another tattoo underneath.

People come to us for all kinds of reasons. An ex’s name. A design that felt right at 18 but not anymore. Ink from a cheap parlour that faded badly. Whatever the story, there’s usually a way to fix it. Still researching? Read our guide on things to know before a cover up tattoo.

Can My Old Tattoo Be Covered Up?

Most tattoos can be covered. Not all, though, and anyone who promises otherwise isn’t being straight with you.

Small or faded tattoos are the easiest. They need less reworking, so you get more freedom with the new design. Bigger, darker tattoos need a different plan. Our artists often use deeper colours and bold shading to build a design that soaks up the old one completely.

Always talk to an artist who has real cover-up experience. They’ll look at your tattoo and tell you honestly what will work. Keep in mind that not every tattoo can be fully covered, especially very dark or heavily detailed ones.

Here’s what we check before saying yes:

• Size and location of the old tattoo
• How dark and dense the old ink is
• Its age, and how much it has faded
• Your skin tone and how your skin heals
• The kind of design you want on top

We also do scar cover up tattoos for scars, burn marks and stretch marks. The idea is similar, but the skin needs extra care and a gentler hand.

How Our Cover Up Tattoo Artists Work

Every old tattoo cover up at our studios follows the same four steps. No shortcuts.

1. Free consultation. You show us the tattoo. We check the ink depth, size and your skin, then tell you what’s realistic. If a cover up won’t work, we say so.
2. Custom design. Your artist sketches options that work over the old piece, not just pretty designs on paper. You approve the final design before the needle touches skin.
3. The sessions. Small cover ups are often done in one sitting. Larger or darker pieces may need two or more sessions with healing gaps in between.
4. Aftercare. You leave with clear healing instructions. If anything feels off while healing, you call us. Simple.

Cover Up Tattoo Price: What Affects It?

There’s no fixed cover up tattoo price, because no two cover ups are the same. The cost depends on:

• The size of the old tattoo
• How dark the existing ink is
• How detailed the new design is
• Colour work versus black and grey
• The number of sessions needed

A cover up usually costs a little more than a fresh tattoo of the same size. It takes more planning and more skill. For a general idea of rates, see our tattoo prices in India page, then visit your nearest studio for an exact quote. The quote is free.

Tattoo Correction and Rework

Not every old tattoo needs a full cover. Sometimes a tattoo correction is enough. We can fix patchy shading, sharpen blurred lines, correct a misspelt name or refresh faded colour. If your tattoo is mostly fine and just needs help in a few places, correction is quicker and kinder on your pocket than a complete cover up.

Why Get Your Cover Up Done at Machu Tattoos?

A cover up is harder than a fresh tattoo. There’s an old design to hide, old ink to work around, and only one chance to get it right. That’s why picking the studio matters more here than anywhere else.

• Our artists handle cover up work regularly, so they know what hides and what shows through
• Studios in 6 cities: Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Coimbatore, Vizag and Pune
• The consultation and the quote are free, and we’ll tell you no if a cover up won’t work

Before and After: Real Cover Ups

These are real cover ups done at Machu Tattoos studios. Client work, not stock photos.

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Want to see more? Ask at any branch. Our artists keep portfolios of their cover up work, and they’re happy to show you pieces similar to yours.

Healing and Aftercare

A cover up heals the same way as a regular tattoo. The surface usually settles in 2 to 4 weeks, and the deeper layers take a little longer.

• Keep the area clean and dry for the first few days
• Apply a thin layer of the aftercare cream your artist suggests
• Stay out of direct sun, pools and the gym till it heals
• Don’t scratch or peel it, even when it itches

Hygiene comes first at every Machu studio, for a fresh tattoo or a cover up. If you’d like a neutral read on tattoo safety, the US FDA tattoo fact sheet covers the basics well.

Cover Up Tattoo FAQ

How much does a cover up tattoo cost?

It depends on the size and darkness of your old tattoo and the design you pick. Cover ups usually cost a bit more than a fresh tattoo of the same size because they take extra planning. Visit any Machu branch for a free quote.

Does a cover up hurt more than a normal tattoo?

Not really. It feels like a regular tattoo. If the area has scar tissue it can be a little more sensitive, and your artist will go slower there.

Can every tattoo be covered up?

Most can, but not all. Very dark, dense or fresh tattoos may need fading first, or a larger design than you planned. The best cover up tattoo artist is the one who tells you this before starting, and that’s exactly what our team does at the consultation.

How many sessions will I need?

Small cover ups are often finished in one sitting. Large or dark pieces can take two or more sessions, with gaps for healing. You’ll get a clear plan at the consultation, so there are no surprises later.

How do I book a cover up consultation?

Call us on +91 96599 59593 or use the WhatsApp button on this page. You can also walk into any of our studios in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Coimbatore, Vizag or Pune. The consultation is free, with no pressure to book a session.

Reviewed by the Machu Tattoos artist team.