When Hayley Maher looked down at her arms, they not only reminded her of how far she’d come in life, but the pain she once experienced.
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Scars from self-harm marked her flesh, and still do – but now, when she looks down, she sees something that encourages her.
Her arm is now inked with a large, pink and blue rose and the words ‘My story is not over yet;’.
“(To) try keep positive and keep trying to move forward in a positive way, rather than look back at all the bad that’s been in the past,” Hayley explained of her decision.
It is a similar story for Spencer Viney.
A detailed black ink sketch of a character from the popular video game BioShock now adorns his thigh, covering his self-harm scars.
“It was always a constant reminder of where I was then, which is why I wanted to get it covered up, because I’m not there anymore,” Spencer said.
Speaking to the Bendigo Advertiser about midway through the process, Spencer said the tattoo had already made a difference.
“(I feel) a lot more content with myself, that I can finally move on from that,” he said.
Of his choice of design, it points to his past and his future. The game was an inspiration and an escape, he said, and he went on to study 2D animation at university.
Spencer now plans to have another complementary tattoo done on his other thigh to cover more scarring.
Scar cover-ups are something Kangaroo Flat tattoo shop Raw Ink Tattoos has done for a long time, but recently offered cut-price tattoos to cover scarring from their apprentice artists, Slim Tranter and Damo Myers.
“They cover up what they’ve already got, so why not cover it up with something beautiful?” Damo said.
Slim said it helped give people their confidence back.
Tattooing over scarring can be tricky, but artists will work with the customer to determine the best design to cover the mark.
Raw Tattoos owner Bassett said people were really grateful to be able to cover up scars they were embarrassed of, and it was rewarding to see their reactions once they had replaced the marks with something they were happy to show off.
“I’ve had one guy cry, he was just so happy,” Slim said.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
