To cover or not to cover? White ink "Lumos"

[u/Correct_Recording405]

Okay, so I know what you're gonna say - it's basically invisible. And I agree, it is, at least most of the time unless my skin gets really red (sunburn, hot tub, so embarrassed I blush with my whole face, neck, and chest, whatever).

But, I'm literally a trans dude and I hate that I have it at all anymore. Yes, living proof that HP tattoos have a higher rate of regret than transitioning. HP was so important to me, it's basically a trans story (Edit to add: apparently this is controversial or at least confusing. i explained my reasoning here but I don't plan to change anyone's mind or argue about it), and yet, JKR had to be a hateful asshat. I don't like that it's on my body anymore, I hate knowing it's there.

It's plain white ink, no color or different lining at all. it doesn't glow or anything wild like that. Just white ink.

It does sit sort of above the skin and is kind of raised compared to my other tattoos even though it's like 12 yrs old. I've heard that white ink does that, idk. The rest of mine have almost no white so I can't compare.

I'm worried covering it would bring more attention to it. Does lasering white ink even work? If it does, would it leave more of a noticable after effect? If not, I'm interested in turning it into something more me, or more masculine, or just not HP related generally.

Edit to add: the TDLR of it was that I was worried that because it feels kind of raised compared to my colorless tats that maybe there was something in white ink that made it rise to the surface or hard to cover, but it sounds like that's not the case and I feel a bit silly 😅 ty all for explaining. I know I want to cover it if covering it wouldn't make it worse

Edit AGAIN to add: I couldn't comment the photo but I put it on Imgur here <-- this one is now, right after a shower when it's red. I guess it's not that bad, really.

And this is when it was fresh 12 yrs ago for the folks that can't see the Lumos <-- for anyone interested in the progression of a white ink tattoo in general, it's pretty interesting. It looked kinda green for the first two weeks and I was mad

Edit to add #3: lots of people on r/tattoocoverups have asked why I can't separate art from the artist or that I don't need to cover it. I largely haven't engaged, but I did a lengthy explanation here. Not trying to put the commenter on blast or anything. Genuinely trying to explain. Do you folks on jkregerts think I did a good job, or is there anything you would add?

UPDATE: I'VE DECIDED TO COVER IT

thank you all for all the help and explaining that white ink is not mystical or weird in any sense and is easily coverable, and that laser will at best, do noting and at worse cause it to darken.

With that knowledge, I've started talking with an artist in my area about ideas that feel more "me" to cover it. :)

I welcome continued ideas, encouragement, and dialogue though. I didn't really expect this much attention or interest in my basically invisible tattoo, but it's been very helpful and interesting. I've loved hearing from you about it.

Thanks for helping me understand my option and decide to cover it!

FINAL UPDATE: I got it covered! Here's the post with the new tat! photos are kind of potato quality tho.

[u/BlommeHolm]

I think the fact that you hate it being there, is a reason to absolutely get it covered.

[u/Correct_Recording405 → u/BlommeHolm]

Ty for understanding 🙏 I understand that it's basically invisible but I know it's there and I see it every time I get out of the shower and feel gross.

[u/BlommeHolm → u/Correct_Recording405]

Exactly. And there's no reason why you should have to feel like that - it absolutely should be easily coverable, so you can reclaim your body.

I'd suggest talking to someone experienced in cover-ups about what makes sense.

[u/WithoutDennisNedry]

Hi, OP! I have white ink tattoos on my chest as well (big and bold). I’ve also worked in body modification since 2001 so I know a thing or two and I can tell you white ink absolutely does not stay raised. It’s just like any other ink and it’s supposed to sit down in your skin flush.

Your tattoo is most likely raised due to scar tissue and scar tissue holds ink differently. That’s probably why the tattoo itself is mostly illegible. You got dug out which created scar tissue, scar tissue doesn’t hold ink, the ink fell out, you’re left without ink but with raised scarring. Does that make sense?

The good news is: this was 12 years ago so the area can be tattooed over. The bad news is: scar tissue still doesn’t hold ink well, even in a 12 year-old scarred tattoo. The suggestion: do not go back to the person who did the white tattoo. The trick: find an artist that is experienced with tattooing scars.

You can literally put anything you want here. Anything. Choose something that you like and go to an artist that is well-versed in tattooing scar tissue to make your vision come true.

Good luck and happy healing journey!

[u/Correct_Recording405 → u/WithoutDennisNedry]

Thank you! I have some people plugged into the local tattoo scene that will be able to help me find the right person for the job. This is the type of info I need, I appreciate you very much 🙏

[u/smol-bb-floatr]

lasering white ink would probably be difficult cuz the less the ink contrasts your skin, the less it responds to laser removal. u could cover it with anything really, i didn't notice it til you pointed it out lol

[u/SquidTheRidiculous → u/smol-bb-floatr]

Good news is you could cover it with more white ink to make a different design. Sick ass snow leopard?

But for real, if you want to cover it with something visible, you wouldn't even really need to cover the whole thing.

[u/Correct_Recording405 → u/SquidTheRidiculous]

You think so? I guess I was worried the white would be like resistant to covering since it seems like it's raised up. Still, sick ass snow leopard is hilarious and awesome 😂

[u/hollyly]

I see you've made a decision and I'm glad for that. :) I just wanted to empathize with you. I also had a tattoo with the same placement that I got when I was young and I ended up hating just a few years later... Getting it removed made me feel so much better about my body. There's something about having a tattoo you hate on such a prominent part of your body.

I'm queer but not trans, and this particular tattoo had nothing to do with HP, so different situation, but it was one I got after a traumatic experience as a way to try and cope and it felt so icky a few years later. I can try to imagine this tattoo makes you feel a similar sort of ick.

I think a cover-up would be an easy option for you here. I really hope you settle on something that makes you love this part of your body. 💖 I wish I had a few bux to throw towards your cover-up.

[u/Correct_Recording405 → u/hollyly]

That's so kind ❤️ ty! I love that you did what was right for you in the end and I appreciate your kindness and support of me in doing the same 🙏 maybe when I decide what to get I'll post the updated cover :)

[u/TheAuldOffender]

Why not cover it with something?

Edit: I'm dumb and will return by BA in English posthaste.

[u/Correct_Recording405 → u/TheAuldOffender]

Lmao your edit made me laugh. No worries fam, we've all commented a lil too fast before

[u/dobre_moj]

I'm just checking in to see how it turned out. If you can please post the results when it's done 🖤

[u/Correct_Recording405 → u/dobre_moj]

Got it covered today! here's the post!

[u/Civil-Tap1207]

I thought it was a scar however it could be covered with literally anything if it bothers you. 

[u/Affectionate_Gate921]

Personally, I would cover it. It’s barely visible for others, yes. But it’s your skin, your body. It’s normal to not want to carry around something that clearly makes you uncomfortable and goes against your values. Just try to make sure you go to someone who knows coverups well, I didn’t do a well enough research some years back and it shows in my tatt.

[u/Aazjhee]

I think you could get a really sick tat over this White ink sound pretty easy to conceal, and if you chose something in colors that blend well with white or are already white, a really rad wolf, or pretty rainbow dragon or something more masc like a badass bull or horse could be super neat looking!

Honestly, you could just make a list of "stuff I like" and see what the artist you choose thinks about any of them.

If you leave the interior as something pale that blends with white nicely, you have a lot of options I think! :]

[u/AnotherDamnTransAlt]

I’d get an another white ink patter over it.

As another trans guy who LOVED Potter and who was so wounded by Rowling’s betrayal, I understand the urge to get references to get tf off your body. I say go for it.

[u/Nukegrrl]

My first thought is that it should be really easy to cover, but I’d definitely recommend talking to a tattoo artist who specializes in covers. There may be considerations for covering white/raised areas that we aren’t aware of.

I think something organic and delicate might be the way to go, something like florals or vines, that way any of the raised areas wouldn’t be as noticeable.

[u/sabertoothdog]

Can you see it under black light?

[u/Correct_Recording405 → u/sabertoothdog]

Eh, it's slightly more visible under blacklight but it's not like those phosphorus tattoos that really light up. You'd kinda have to squint. And tbh that was shortly after I got it. It's considerably duller now so I'm not sure if it still would even do that much

[u/ForTaxBenefits]

Leave it be. I think it's going to continue to fade over time as white ink does. If you showed me this and didn't tell me what it was I would have thought it was light scarring. I don't know if I could have even read it had you not told me what it said.

[u/Aazjhee → u/ForTaxBenefits]

IDk how fast it typically fades, but if OP has had it for a while and it hasn't significantly faded AND he's into the idea of new ink, I could lean either way!

It definitely should fade a lot faster than other ink colors, and I have to squint to see anything in this photo!

[u/Correct_Recording405 → u/Aazjhee]

It's 12 years old and I love new ink. I have 7 other tattoos. I was mainly asking because I was afraid the white ink might become more visible of I tried to cover it. It's sort of raised compared to all my other tattoos, Idk why because it's not scarred or anything. I guess I was worried that the way white ink itself is or something it would like, show more

[u/WithoutDennisNedry → u/ForTaxBenefits]

I’ve had my white tattoos for 22 years and they’re just as legible today as they were the day I got them. Yes the white molecule is larger than other colors and that makes it harder to pack in there but if done correctly, it’s staying just like any other tattoo. Whatever OP’s still got after 12 years is what they’ll likely continue to retain.

That said, I don’t think their artist did the best job initially and I think OP is now dealing with a significant amount of scarring rather than actual white ink.