I just got a new tattoo along the length of my right side,over my hip and ribs.I have VERY FAINT flesh colored stretch marks on my hip-they are not noticable except in very bright light.However it has adversly affected my tattoo.So far I just have outline because its a very large piece..I started it 3 days ago..and the ink sems to be blurring where the stretch marks are.I'm really upset.Has anyone heard of this?

Stretch marks are basically torn skin, when you do a tat over them different things can happen, like bleeding which is probably what you've experienced. Because the tissue is torn under the skin it allows for the pigment molecules to migrate or bleed into the surrounding skin, no matter where the artist inserts them. I do tats in a beauty salon so I see a lot of clients that want them covered up too. Usually I recommend trying glycolic peels and dermabrasion to help in cell rejuvination before doing any kind of tat. If that's not possible I recommend finding a tat artist that has worked with scars before and knows how to camoflouge it to match your skin tone. Other than that...stretch mark should be a "no no" for tattooing.
If you have questions email me...issie82@earthlink.net

Hey there,

I read your answer to the article of stretch marks. I have them on my belly. they are about 7 years old.(pregnancy) I recently stoped by a tatoo shop this past week. I have an appointment this friday to tat, my strechmarks. This will be my first tat. I am affraight I will regret it. but I hate to see my self naked on the mirrow. I am 26 and have not worn a small t-shirt in 8 years now.... i do not have a partner, so when i am with a guy (intinate) the lights are always off. someguys love to see their women naked. i am too affraight they might get disgusted as I am when i see them. any suggestions???

My advice is don't get the tattoo if your belly is in that shape. You end up drawing more attention to the unwanted stretchmarks in this case. There are a few very talented artists that can come up with designs in your situation, but make sure the artist is competent enough to do so. Best stretchmark coverup I ever saw was from Bald Bill up at Yankee Tattoo in Burlington VT.

I don't know, I can't say what would happen for each individual person, I'm certainly no tattoo artist.

However my first tattoo is over stretch marks, I was totally freaked out about telling my artist, because of course it's kind of embarrassing, and like all good women I evaluate my body like the mainstream media wants me to. As far as I can tell, for the first three weeks the stretch marks were gone, then as all the swelling went away they returned, but are completely hidden, you can sort of feel them if you run a hand over my side, but not nearly as much as before. There's been some anecdotal evidence that if you tattoo over them or other scar tissue they lie flatter. It seems to be true for me, it might not be for you.

Anyway, I'm very happy with it, extremely happy, actually. I used to really hate my side because of the stretch marks etc. Now it's the area I want people to see most. It's funny how things change I guess.

How bad do the stretch marks have to be to cause a problem with tattooing over them? I have a few where I'd like to tattoo, mostly just becuase that's where I want the tattoo, and of course the second reason is I wouldn't mind covering up the few stretch marks I do have.

Ladies there are stretch marks and then there are STRETCH MARKS...from little skin discolorations to huge canyons you could park a Volkswagen in...and guys get em too!!....The rate of success when tattooing over these stretch marks depends on several factors...the depth of the scar...the width of the scar and the type of skin...Yes there are "TYPES" of skin.....some can be successfully tattooed others may not.....just be sure to go to a competent tattoo artist who is experienced in tattooing scars and stretch marks....TAz

does anyone know if, once you have stretchmarks, are there things you can do to make that skin firm and healthy again?

Not really Ducky. If you've got em, you've got em for life. Unfortunately, there aren't any creams or procedures that will make them go away. A large part of it depends on genetics...doesn't everything come down to genetics?! Blah. Anyway...you can do things to make them less noticeable (supposedly) peels, laser resurfacing, tummy tuck, etc....Maybe one day they'll come out with some magic procedure to make them go away permanently.

Ducky,
Stretch marks are a very small price to pay for the gift of an amazing child. I agree with the genetic link. Ask your mama and aunts. I did not get one, and my belly got HUGE!
Of course, lack of sleep and worrying about teenage boys in the future is now giving me crows feet and gray hair.
Can you tattoo crows feet?

"""i do not have a partner, so when i am with a guy (intinate) the lights are always off. someguys love to see their women naked. i am too affraight they might get disgusted as I am when i see them. any suggestions???"""""

Yes, any guy who get's disgusted having a willing,warm and naked woman in his bed is most likely gay.

Find the right man mama!

Mama cat ...you asked if we can tattoo crows feet...

Yes but they seem to prefer body piercings


SNORT..Giggle!!!....Laugh so hard I blew boogers!!!!


uh oh!....on a TAzette!!

The MEAN ONE

Being of sound mind and body I hereby bequeath....

* sound of bone crunching and chilling screams!!*

*sound of Glock .45 cocking*

BOOM!

Fuck...missed the bitc.....OW!!!!

* sound of bagpipes playing the funeral dirge*

lol, i only wish i had a kid to blame mine on :P

to DSWEETSUSSY and all you other girls that have the belly stretchmarks, you could tattoo over them, and it may hide them.

but as a man, I have got to ask why??

you earned those marks when you birthed your child, wear them as a badge of honor, you went through alot to get them, not to mention alot of guys find that whole motherhood thing very attractive.

I say to all the mommies of the world, peel those shirts!! let everything flop out and sag!!! show your stretchies proudly!!!

and if you still want to cover that up, well heres an idea.... color the stretchmarks dark green, and do the rest of your belly in a light green, this way your belly can be camoflagued as a watermelon.


Mortis

OK....keep this in mind....

not all stretchmarks are from kids! maybe some of the people that want them covered want them covered because they represent a time in their life they'd rather not remember.

I'm curious as to what effects new stretchmarks might have on already existing tattoos?

Just curious, bc as I mentioned in another post I'm preggo. Lucky so far as I'm due in August and still no stretch marks (hopefully stays that way).

Are the same issues present when tattooing scar tissue, say stitches or burn areas? I've had more than my fair share of stitches and roadrash (and I don't regret any of it, each scar is a story). However some of these areas are in the path of where I would like to eventually get work done.

-the newbee on the board.

Yes...I certainly do -not- have any of those small things *shudders*

No offense to the parents, someone else can use up my quota of 2.3 children, have fun with my kids!

*smirks*

Ok ladies! I am in the same situation. I have a love hate relationship with myself at all times. Having a child is one of the most amazing experiences in this life, unfortunaltely we are given no allowances or appreciation for what our bodies endure during the process.The mere fact that we do not have our badges of honor (stretch marks) bronzed and gilded with gold is a downright shame. This society pushes the nmother goddess down so far you cant even remember how amazing your body is ! It's own uniqueness is drowned out by airbrushed models and crystal meth head actresses on the cover of US magazine and People. Tatooing seems to be a consideration in my head as well,but at the same time IM TIRED OF HIDING WHO I AM. I think we should wear our belly shirts with the best of em' and declare stretch marks a right of passage and an honor to have!

for me the tattoo would not be to mask the stretch marks, but they just happen to be in the way of where i want my tattoo! i guess it's just a situational dilema

for me the tattoo would not be to mask the stretch marks, but they just happen to be in the way of where i want my tattoo! i guess it's just a situational dilema