If you have a tattoo that you no longer want to see, you have a couple of ways to proceed. While some people might find a local service that does tattoo removal, another option to consider is a cover-up tattoo. If you're leaning toward the latter option, you can find a tattoo shop in your area that specializes in cover-up work and make an appointment to meet with a tattoo artist. They'll be able to give you some guidance about what type of cover-up piece can work well for you. Here are some reasons that tattoo cover-up can be better than tattoo removal.

Better Result

Tattoo removal can work well for certain pieces, but if the ink on your current design is too dark, you may still be able to see signs of the old tattoo after several removal appointments. Even though the ink that remains will be faint, you might not be pleased that you can still see a sign of the tattoo you no longer want to have. You'll experience a better result when you cover up the tattoo with a new design. A good tattoo artist's cover-up work will ensure that no part of your original tattoo is still visible.

Quicker

Tattoo removal can often be a lengthy process. When you visit a shop that specializes in this work, they'll be able to tell you how many appointments you'll likely need to remove the tattoo. For some people, the idea of making several appointments for this work can be unappealing. You may find that covering the tattoo is a better use of your time. Unless the tattoo you need to cover is extremely large, your tattoo artist can likely complete the cover-up work in just a single appointment.

More Symbolic

There are all sorts of reasons that you might wish to no longer see a tattoo. In many scenarios, this tattoo represents a stage in your life that you've moved past. You may not want to return to this stage, but you may also be thankful for the lessons it taught you. If you have an ex-partner's name tattooed on your skin, for example, you might feel that your negative experience with that partner somehow led you to a better experience with your current partner. Some people may not be ready to entirely get rid of a tattoo that represents such a period in their life. Instead, turning it into another piece of art may feel like a more symbolic choice for you. Contact a tattoo shop to discuss your tattoo cover-up ideas.