Scars are an inevitable part of life but some scars leave a lasting impression.
Every scar tells a story. But sometimes, we’d rather turn that story on its head to make it truly ours.
Some people rather cover up and hide their scars but not these people. They wear their scars with pride. It’s simply a part of their life journey and they realize that they have nothing to be ashamed of.
The following scars are innovative and unique. More importantly, they tell a story.
1) Losing a Loved One
This is a really cool concept. Turing the scar into a butterfly’s body was a cool and creative choice. Not to mention the sweet saying above it. What a unique way to turn a tragedy into a beautiful memoriam.
2) Victory is Mine
After having surgery on her appendix, she decided to mask the scar with a dagger. She even added the blood for added effect. Nice!
3) Lace Me Up
What a cool way to cover a tattoo. Rather than using the lacing to represent tying up a pair of sneakers, she ties her scar up in a bow. She’s always ready to go!
4) Just Zip It
This tat represents two unfortunate things, breast cancer and chiari.
Chiari is when the brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. It occurs when the skull is abnormally small or misshapen.
This guy is representing himself and likely another.
5) A Rose for Your Troubles
What a beautiful rose! The lace covers the scars perfectly and contrasts with the bright rose as well. This was really an awesome choice!
6) Spotlight
Amazing work to cover a scar on the wrist and forearm. It’s really tasteful and clever. It fits the animation so well. It actually looks like it came straight from a comic book!
7) Ankle Coverup
These flowers really do an amazing job at hiding the scar behind it. The scar even adds texture to the flowers. Great work!
8) A Fine Flower
This scar acts as a stem for this nice, little flower. The artist was careful not to use the needle on the tiny line of the scar. These flowers are great coverups.
9) Chest Piece
After transitioning, he was left with some scars on his chest. Fear not, he got a giant tattoo to cover them. It really suits him and goes well with his other tattoos.
10) Fixing Up
An another amazing use of a zipper. Here, it’s also used on the back of the neck. Not sure what the procedure was but this tattoo most definitely has a story.
11) Up, Up, and Away
What great use of color! Each bird covers some aspect of this scar. This is utterly amazing and so well executed.
12) Imagination
Instead of inking the actual scar, she decided to create around it. In doing so, she was able to utilize parts of the scar as well. What an imagination!
13) Black Rose
This dark flower is both remarkable and concealing. You wouldn’t be able to tell that there is a scar there. The details on the rose are amazing as well!
14) 3D
This is like a 3D type of tattoo. It looks superbly real and accurate. This concept is one for the books!
15) On Guard
This is one really cool tat! To me, the tattoo bares as a reminder not to harm oneself anymore. It acts as a guard, a protector of the skin, if you will.
16) Transformations
This scar was transformed into a marvelous butterfly. If you look a little closer, you’ll see that the scar is really just a cocoon. It blossomed at the right time.
17) Warrior!
He turned his birth mark into a hero! He’s subtly letting others know that he is a hero in real life. Give it time, folks.
18) Flower Bulbs
This is truly something else! Her scars were perfect bulbs for the flowers. What a unique and creative choice.
19) Tigers… Oh My!
This knee was transformed into a jaw-dropping tiger. The knee itself served as a perfect tongue for the animal. It’s like it’s harnessing fire!
20) Zip Away
These zippers just won’t quit! But they shouldn’t because they’re really creative.
Here, the zipper is able to close up the tattoo.
21) Carnivore
You’d never know that there is even a scar there. Evry inch of it has been covered by this wicked tattoo!
Maybe it’s just me but it seems that the scar was eaten by this skull with its large teeth.
22)Beautiful Quote
True! To cover her scars up from difficult times, she reminded herself that we all go through dark times. But we go through them for a reason.
The placement is spot-on.
23) Put a Smile On
Some lighthearted humor never hurt! Maybe this scar did but he’s turning things around. or should I say, upside-down?
24) Shade Away
The shading here covers up the darker areas of the scar with ease. It helps to have a artist who knows their craft! Great artistic choice.
25) Scratches Be Gone
It’s amazing how the scars here are placed into this piece. Adding the hint of red really makes it pop without making it obvious that scars are there. Great planning here!
26) Nom Nom
What a cool and subtle way to use your scar. It looks like an actual fish! I wonder what kind of fish it is?
27) Tree of Life
Literally. This tree comes from an important part of it; the belly button. The details in this small piece are fascinating.
28) Cut Along This Line
This is wonderful! This woman knows how to make light of a situation. Here’s to hoping that they don’t have to cut there again!
29) Pink Flowers
They made great use of the scars. They act as vines for the pretty flowers on this person’s arm. It really suits their long arm!
30) Barely There
You can no longer see the scar! The use of color really helped cover it up. Not to mention, the tree is wonderfully colored.
31) Calvin and Hobbes
After two complications with Crohn’s Disease, he decided to make light of the situation and have this Calvin and Hobbes piece tattoed on him. It’s great! The scar looks like shading for the tattoo.
32) Effortless Blend
This Norse compass came together nicely! The artist used the scars to his advantage to make it look more like a sketch in a drawing book. At the bottom, they utilized them as part of the bird.
33) Splash of Color
You can no longer see the scratches that were there before. Somehow, the artist found a way to cover each and every one of them up. Now that’s talent!
34) Turtle Shells
Look at this creative piece of work! What a way to use the scar blemish on this turtle. There are some really talented artists out there!
35) Cover Up
This looks like the result of attempting to have the tattoo removed. The cover up is amazing. The curve of the feather really hides those stars!
36) Spot-On
Wow! Amazing how each flower covers a scar. The artist did a wonderful job envisioning this piece and executing it.
37) Above and Beyond
She decided to not just cover up the scar, she added an entire piece around it! The saying is, well, perfect. What a great choice!
38) Powerful
After having surgery, this woman decided to embrace the change. The design is perfectly placed as well. Her necklace is simply a further statement that she will not be defeated!
39) Tragedy to Triumph
Well, look at this cutie! This is an awesome design that, again, uses the scars to the artist’s advantage. One can barely see the scars.
40) Hang in There!
Sometimes, we just need a friendly reminder. This will definitely do the trick! You got this!
41) Use What You’ve Got
This woman envisioned her scars as ripples in the water. How great is this?! I would love to hear how this came about.
42) Oddly Whimsical
Another solid example of turning those scars into art. This is amazing work! Each scar played a role in this piece coming together.
43) Fly Away!
Another great use of color! The stems and color hide the scar perfectly. The butterflies are a nice touch as well!
44) One Needle at a Time
Well, look at this! This is a really creative and cool design. I wonder if they can actually sew though? Hmm…
45) Completion
This is amazing! Another great piece of art from a woman who’s survived breast cancer. Here, the artist drew a nipple to complete the design. Props to both of them!
46) Paint!
No pain here! Just creativity. Love the play on words on this design.
47) Sea World
The scar here looks as if it’s part of the design. It appears to be a rock that the dolphin is jumping over. Maybe it’s a glacier!
48) Balloon Scar?
I don’t know if this was an actual scar from surgery but it sure is cool! A balloon was a great call. I vote getting the character from It drawn next to it though.
49) Undone
Zip up that scar! But there’s a pretty flower there so nevermind. Looks like they agreed and have the zipper coming down to reveal the rose. Great choice!
50) Uniquely Pleasant
This is a delicate one. The tattoo matches with the delicacy of the scar. It flows very nicely.
51) Purple Butterfly
All this woman wanted to do was cover up her scar from skin cancer. The doctors removed her stitches too early, causing the scar to fill up. The tattoo came out beautifully nonetheless.
52) Owl See You Later!
This is a gnarly tattoo for a gnarly scar. The owl is pretty mesmerizing and a little intimidating! Still, it’s a job well done!
53) Bold Imagery
Wow, this is a powerful one. The artist covered each and every single cut on his arm, down to his hand.
54) A Girl Can Dream
I can see this being turned into a Star Wars light saber piece. But this is cool too! The details and color pop awesomely.
55) Perfect!
Pigmentation tattoos are always cool to see. The creativity of an artist really shines through when covering up these. Mainly because the’re sporadic as opposed to scars being more precise.
56) Angels
This is a giant of a piece. A beautiful one, though! Scar? Where?
57) Wrap Around Me
A snake wrapped around an object? I’ll take it! This looks pretty real. The placement of the snake in relation to the scar is spot-on.
58) Today is a Gift
Indeed! I love that she’s choosing to remember her scar rather than hide it. It serves as a reminder to others as well.
59) An Artist’s Eye
These roses look amazing on her skin tone. Looking at the photo on the left, you wonder what the artist is going to do. Well, they definitely came through on this piece!
60) Hold Still
Scalpel? Of course. This imagery plays so well on his scar. Not to mention the amount of realism!
Scars don’t have to be a mark of shame. All of them tell a story. Use your imagination and be creative! These people sure did.
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60 times artists tooks someone’s scar and transformed it into a work of art
Ashley Willis
12.04.19
Scars are an inevitable part of life but some scars leave a lasting impression.
Every scar tells a story. But sometimes, we’d rather turn that story on its head to make it truly ours.
Some people rather cover up and hide their scars but not these people. They wear their scars with pride. It’s simply a part of their life journey and they realize that they have nothing to be ashamed of.
The following scars are innovative and unique. More importantly, they tell a story.