Does Your Old Tattoo Need a Cover Up or Laser Removal?

A practical guide for anyone in St Louis deciding what to do with ink that no longer fits

Looking for a cover up artist in St. Louis? Scroll to the bottom of the page to see Alchemy’s cover up artists.

You loved the tattoo once. Now it feels like a reminder of a version of you that lived a few chapters back. Some pieces fade in strange ways. Some carry memories you’d rather outgrow. Some never felt right in the first place.

The question almost always shows up the same way: should you cover it or should you start fresh with laser?

This guide breaks down what each route offers, how they work, and how to choose the path that fits your skin, your budget, and the next version of your story.

Ink You’ve Outgrown

Tattoo regret doesn’t always arrive overnight. For some people it creeps in slowly. Maybe you catch the tattoo in the mirror and feel a small pinch of annoyance. Maybe you avoid showing it in photos. Maybe the linework aged faster than you expected.

Regret is more common than most people admit. Many adults report wishing they could change or update at least one tattoo. Growth makes certain images feel out of place, and that feeling is normal.

The Cover Up Route

A cover up builds something new over what already exists. The old ink becomes the foundation for a new design.

What it works best for:
• faded tattoos
• old flash
• names
• simple shapes
• areas with lighter saturation

What it requires
• a design that uses darker or more complex elements
• trusting the artist to use contrast and layering
• being open to a piece that may need to be larger

What to expect

You walk out with a new tattoo instead of a blank canvas. This approach works well if you want transformation rather than erasure. In St Louis studios, cover ups are common for older trends like feather silhouettes, script names, or wrist symbols from the early 2010s.

Some pieces need lightening first. Dense blackwork, saturated color blocks, and certain rib or shoulder placements often benefit from a few laser sessions before the cover up design is possible.

By G Jones

Cover up by St. Louis artist G Jones

By Ben Graham

Cover up work by St. Louis tattoo artist Ben Graham

By Lacey Donovan

Cover up tattoo by St. Louis tattoo artist Lacey Donovan

By CJ Oliver

Cover up tattoo by St. Louis artist CJ Oliver

By Heidi Williams

Cover up tattoo by St. Louis tattoo artist, Heidi Williams

Laser Removal

Laser offers a clean slate, but it takes time.

Laser Tattoo Removal

What it works best for
• tattoos you want softened before a cover up
• multicolor designs
• older tattoos that have already faded
• clients who want full removal when possible

What it requires
• multiple sessions spaced several weeks apart
• patience
• an honest budget plan

What to expect
Laser can fade a tattoo enough for a high quality cover up or, in some cases, clear it to the point where it is barely visible. Some pigment colors respond faster. Others, like certain blues and greens, can take longer.
People describe the sensation as sharp, quick bursts of heat. Treatments are short, but the process spans months.

Choosing the Better Route

There is no single right answer. Your skin, your healing patterns, your budget, and your long-term goals matter.

Factors to consider

• your skin tone and how it scars
• the density of the existing tattoo
• how large you want the new piece to be
• whether you prefer transformation or a reset
• how soon you want to move forward

St Louis artists often blend both approaches. A few laser sessions create space for more delicate styles like fine line, realistic florals, or detailed black and grey. Straight cover ups work better for bolder, darker designs.

If you choose cover up work, finding an artist comfortable with reworking older ink is key. If laser is your direction, choosing a reputable clinic with experience in treating different skin tones is just as important.

Moving Forward
Your tattoos tell your story, including the chapters you’ve outgrown. Regret does not mean you failed. It means you changed. Whether you choose a cover up or start fresh with laser, both paths give you room to grow in a direction that fits who you are now. Scheduling a free consultation can help you decide which direction works best for you.

Alchemy’s CoverUp Artists

These Alchemy artists enjoy the challenge of a cover up tattoo.

Have you ever changed your mind about an old tattoo?
Did you choose a cover up or laser, and what made the decision easier?
What advice would you give someone considering their first cover up?