Stretch marks are an absolute nightmare for people who value body aesthetics. If you have these marks on your visible body areas, you will want to go all out with scar-camouflaging options that, luckily, are available in plenty.
One option that has become increasingly popular these days is camouflage tattooing to cover stretch marks. In some cases, stretch marks happen to be in a place where people want to get a tattoo. No matter the reason, the point is that many people head to a tattoo artist to cover their stretch marks. More specifically, stomach tattoos for women to cover stretch marks have become commonplace recently.
So, can a tattoo cover stretch marks? And, is it the right way to conceal those marks? We are going to find it out in the following lines.
What are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks, also known as striae distensae, are a widely recognized skin condition. Stretch marks occur when the dermis, the middle layer of the skin, is stretched to a point where it loses its elasticity. This is due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers. Fortunately, stretch marks do not cause any adverse medical conditions. These are, however, a significant cosmetic anomaly for people who have them on visible body areas.
Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body where the skin has been stretched. Common areas include the stomach, breasts, hips, thighs, and buttocks, they are often a reason for a lack of self-esteem. Hence, you may not want to wear a swimsuit or other revealing clothes if you have these marks.
Common Reasons for Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are common in both teenagers and adults.
Teenagers develop these marks due to rapid body growth. This rapid growth can cause the skin to stretch to a point where collagen and elastin fibers tear, leading to the formation of stretch marks. In teenagers, stretch marks usually appear during growth spurts – specific periods of puberty mainly characterized by unusual body growth.
On the other hand, the reasons for stretch marks in adults are generally entirely different from those in teenagers. The most common causes of stretch marks in adults are:
- Weight training
- Rapid weight loss or weight gain
- Muscle growth
- Pregnancy
- Marfan syndrome or Cushing’s disease
Stretch marks are usually reddish-brown or red when they first appear. In some cases, they can be pink or purple. The color of stretch marks usually depends on the amount of stretching and natural skin tone.
Moreover, new stretch marks are usually raised from the skin surface and can be uncomfortable and itchy. Nonetheless, the color of these marks becomes lighter, and they eventually sink beneath the skin surface over time. These characteristics make stretch marks comparable to scars.
Getting a Tattoo Over a Stretch Mark
Can you get tattoos to cover stretch marks? The short answer to this question is yes. A tattoo can conceal a stretch mark just as it can cover a scar. But not all stretch marks are created equal. And, a lot of factors contribute to whether or not you can get a tattoo over a stretch mark. The most common factors to consider in this regard are the stretch mark type, its location, and whether your tattoo artist is skilled enough to hide a mark using a drawing.
For instance, belly tattoos to cover stretch marks must be planned and appropriately drawn to achieve the desired effect. You want your tattoo artist to be proficient with such a tattoo drawing approach.
Things to Consider Before Getting a Tattoo
Before you undergo a tattooing procedure, be sure to keep the following things in mind.
- As discussed above, stretch marks are just like healed scars consisting of damaged skin. And since damaged skin is usually more sensitive than surrounding normal skin, getting a tattoo over it can be a painful experience. However, slightly older stretch marks can tolerate pain just as a normal part of the skin. Therefore, it is advisable to get a tattoo when your stretch marks are fully healed.
- Concealing a red or purple stretch mark with a tattoo is usually next to impossible, mainly because of the prominence of the mark’s color. Moreover, these colors typically indicate that the stretch mark is fresh. Therefore, tattooing over these stretch marks can be painful.
- Generally, wide stretch marks are hard to conceal with a tattoo. The main reason for this is the general inability of the tattoo ink to cover a stretch mark fully. Moreover, much planning and drawing work go into tattooing over a wide stretch mark.
- It is generally advisable not to get a tattoo if you plan to get pregnant or gain muscle mass. These events trigger changes in all body areas that people usually get tattooed.
What Are the Other Ways to Deal with Stretch Marks?
Due to too many limitations, tattooing may not be the most suitable option to conceal stretch marks in every case. Fortunately, the cosmetic industry has provided some highly effective stretch mark removal options that may work better than getting a tattoo.
Here is a list of some viable treatment options for stretch mark removal:
- Chemical peels
- Blue light therapy
- Microdermabrasion
- Laser treatment
Can Every tattooist do a Stretch Mark-Covering Tattoo?
Not every tattoo artist can do a stretch mark covering the tattoo. It requires special skills to make a tattoo over stretch marks.
Some factors you should consider before choosing a tattooist include:
- Whether the tattoo artist has previous experience in covering stretch marks with the help of tattoos. Ask for before and after pictures to get a better idea of the expertise.
- Ask the artist about his/her experience in matching the color of the tattoo with the stretch mark.
- Ask the tattoo artist if he is willing to monitor the healing process.
To achieve the best results from the procedure, it is important to carefully choose the tattoo artist. The practitioner should be experienced in tattooing different types of stretch marks and scars.
Choosing the right person will make or break the deal for you!
What do I need to Consider Before Getting Tattooed?
Before you undergo a tattooing procedure, be sure to keep the following things in mind.
- Condition of Stretch Mark: As discussed above, stretch marks are just like healed scars consisting of damaged skin. And since damaged skin is usually more sensitive than surrounding normal skin, getting a tattoo over it can be a painful experience. However, slightly older stretch marks can tolerate pain just as a normal part of the skin. Therefore, it is advisable to get a tattoo when your stretch marks are fully healed.
- Color of the Tattoo: Concealing a red or purple stretch mark with a tattoo is usually next to impossible, mainly because of the prominence of the mark’s color. Moreover, these colors typically indicate that the stretch mark is fresh. Therefore, tattooing over these stretch marks can be painful.
- Width and Length of Stretch Mark: Generally, wide stretch marks are hard to conceal with a Small tattoo. The main reason for this is the general inability of the tattoo ink to cover a stretch mark fully. Moreover, much planning and drawing work goes into tattooing over a wide stretch mark.
- Future changes in the body: It is generally advisable not to get a tattoo if you plan to get pregnant or gain muscle mass. These events trigger changes in all body areas that people usually get tattooed.
Who Should or Shouldn’t Get Tattoos To Cover Stretch Marks?
Since tattoos work well only with fully healed stretch marks, these are not quite ideal for a fresh stretch mark. Generally, you can get a Stretch mark tattoo on the stomach, thighs, or buttocks, given that stretch marks in those areas are lighter-toned and fully healed. And, be sure to speak to a qualified dermatologist or a skilled tattooist even if you think it is OK to get a tattoo.
Some of the things that you should consider before getting a tattoo are:
- Identify if the Stretch marks have recently appeared or if they have healed.
- Run your finger on the Stretch Marks to see if the skin is raised above the surface or lower than the skin surface.
- Observe the color and size of the tattoo.
- It is important to look for the cause of the Stretch Mark and address it.
After identifying these factors, consult a dermatologist. The dermatologist will better guide you on what works best to cover the stretch mark.
What Are the Other Ways to Deal with Stretch Marks?
Due to the limitations, tattooing may not be the most suitable option to conceal stretch marks in every case. Fortunately, the cosmetic industry has provided some highly effective stretch mark removal options that may work better than getting a tattoo.
Here is a list of some viable treatment options for stretch mark removal:
- Chemical peels
- Microdermabrasion
- Laser treatment
What if I get more stretch marks in the same place?
It is possible to get new Stretch Marks in the same place where the tattoo was crafted. Sometimes, these new stretch marks start affecting the tattoo. In such a condition, consult an expert tattoo artist who would suggest the best possible way of getting out of the problem.
If the Stretch marks are the result of your lifestyle habits, it is important to change the habits and improve your lifestyle. The improvement in your lifestyle will prevent the appearance of future stretch marks.
Final Thoughts
Are you planning to get tattoos to cover stretch marks? Well, you can undoubtedly go for this option, but make sure that you are the right candidate for this procedure. As discussed above, stretch mark tattooing is not without complications. Additionally, you have to qualify for all of the candidacy criteria before undergoing this procedure. So, At Laser Skin Care Clinic, you may consult our expert dermatologists to have an assessment of your condition before tattooing your stretch mark.