[ScarletPimpernel]

So I made an impulsive decision. Of course, I did get the opinions of important people first, but I made up my mind in less than a weeks time.

I decided to get my forearms tattooed. It's my preferred area of SI. Why? Because I'm tired of SI. I have to stop for myself; not for other people. SI is an addiction (no matter what others say), and it's controlling my life. I'm done. I want to live and live freely. So I chose some beautiful artwork to put over my scars.

I did NOT completely cover my scars. I'm not ashamed of my scars. They are a reminder of how strong I am for surviving what I've been through. But the artwork turns the pain into a thing of joy, beauty, and confidence. Instead of hiding my scar for fear of offending people, I now show my arms off proudly. And people notice the tattoos. And some have even guessed why I did it.

My T tells me every week how proud she is of me for getting the tattoos. She knows I have SI'ed other parts of my body, but I have created a barrier for my main area. I have given myself a gift and a reminder.

I went through 11 hours total of pain (they are not little tattoos). I spent $1300 total. I would be completely insane to ruin such a beautiful piece.

BTW, tattooing over fresh scars HURTS horribly; more than I was prepared for. And for those who enjoy pain; you probably won't. SI is about us being in control. When getting a tattoo, the artist is in control. So don't think that this is another avenue for you. Plus, sustaining constant pain for 5+ hours at a time is not easy for anyone...don't believe me...ask women who go through natural labor

So far it's worked. I still have the desire to SI, but I instead focus on the tattoos. I treat them by using lotions and just stare at the strokes and shading the artist did. It's enough (for me) to convince me that there are better things in life than SI.

This isn't for everyone, but maybe for some of you, it will help. Just make sure you choose a great artist and piece of art, and make sure you're okay with it being on your body forever.

[mazing]

I'm really glad you have found something that can really help you overcome the urges It's great to hear.

I plan on doing something similar to you, but eventually covered most of both of my arms. I have to save up a large amount of money or just do some of the more simple tattoos first. The first tattoos I want to get are the word "Relentless" on my inner left forearm and "Vita Brevis, Ars Longa" on the inside of my right forearm. Hopefully that isn't too long for that space...

[ScarletPimpernel]

Originally Posted by I.Am.The.End.

I plan on doing something similar to you, but eventually covered most of both of my arms. I have to save up a large amount of money or just do some of the more simple tattoos first. The first tattoos I want to get are the word "Relentless" on my inner left forearm and "Vita Brevis, Ars Longa" on the inside of my right forearm. Hopefully that isn't too long for that space...

That sounds awesome. If possible, why don't you ask an artist to draw up a full piece, but only tattoo part. That way the full piece goes together as you intended. Or, do the outline first and then the color/filling later. My tattoo artist gave me the original sketches he drew.

And I did have to wait for my right arm tattoo... The scars weren't healed enough to tattoo over. The artist made me wait a month. He said he could have tattooed the parts w/o scars, but it would look nicer if he could do it all at once. So I waited... Luckily I returned sooner than I intended because the guy had to go back to Venezuela due to his green card expiring Good news, he does this a lot, so he'll be back within 3 months...lol.

I've seen many other tattoos to cover SI. Some do blackbirds, some do a semi-colon, there's butterflies, and then other things relating back to strength, beauty, or perseverance.

My left arm has a butterfly at the wrist, ivy going down the arm, and scarlet pimpernel throughout the ivy. The butterfly = freedom, change, beauty. The ivy = strength, growth, life. The scarlet pimpernel is my favorite flower...and it's a weed. lol Such a delicate little flower that can grow almost anywhere. Yet it only opens up in the sun...so beautiful

My right arm has flowing water, lotus's, and another butterfly. The lotus symbolize strength and beauty. How something can grow with little to no sunlight, up out of mud, into a beautiful flower. The flowing water to symbolize flexibility, cleansing, change, life, etc.

I've also thought of getting death head moths on my wrists—like the butterflies but a little more macho looking.

I was imagining that the upper arms would be separate from anything I put on my lower arms, so I'm not sure if having it all drawn out now would be necessary. And I may move before I can afford the bigger pieces. I'll be in grad school for another 3 years and won't have enough disposable income during that time if I have any. And then after that, I'll be moving to wherever I can find a job.

The story behind the word "Relentless" is when I was getting my masters, I worked out of a certain etude book in my lessons and the point was to play as loud as possible with a good sound and no taper at the end of the note (the same volume is sustained throughout the whole note). Anyway, they're physically very demanding and brutal and usually you have to stop and rest several times in the etude. One day, my professor had to actually stop me in order to force me to take a break and he said something to the effect of "Man, you're relentless" so I wrote the word on the little sticky I used to mark my spot in the book and it's sort of my mantra for those etudes and just playing in general. And so, to have it immortalized on my arm seems appropriate.

I don't know if I'll get any of the tattoos done in the near future or not since I'd feel like hiding them when I visit my parents and because my parents are strongly against tattoos, I don't think it would be right to use anyone's but my own money to pay for them. And I don't have that much right now and there's also piercings I want to get….

[RollMe]

I also plan on getting a new tattoo in the near future (or maybe more tattoos), maybe after I reach my goal. I have a couple of ideas in mind (not a big tattoo), either a capricorn tattoo (like I said before, altough not a recovery tattoo), or an anchor. I believe either an anchor or a capricorn mean fresh start, strength, security and refusing to sink (exactly what I need for the moment).

@ScarletPimpernel I really like the ivy tattoo idea. I was also thinking about a lotus tattoo. I love that it means strength and beauty :-)

[monkeybrains21]

I agree tattooing over fresh scars hurt. I got mine done after a month. Mine covers the majority of my left upper arm. It's a tiger cub and wolf pup wrapped together. Full color took bout 2-3 hrs, not too long. I want to add more but no $.

My tat means too much to me to ever cut it. Still get the urge all the time even though it's been 6yrs. Just be careful inking can be an addiction all on its own

[Contrabanned]

I have SI'd exclusively on my legs, which is why I never wear shorts. I intend to get tats down there whether the scars fade or not. It seems like a good idea, and I've always loved tattoos. Glad to see it's working for you :-)

[ScarletPimpernel]

Originally Posted by monkeybrains21

My tat means too much to me to ever cut it. Still get the urge all the time even though it's been 6yrs. Just be careful inking can be an addiction all on its own

That is awesome it’s worked for you too!

I figure I will have the urge to SI for the rest of my life (just like cigarettes and binge eating). But I was tired of promising my T that I wouldn’t SI. Sure, I wanted to keep the promise, but when there was a misunderstanding with her, that promise was broken so fast. And that’s when I realized the promise had to be to myself; not anyone else.

And I do agree…be careful that tattoos can be an addiction themselves. If you do consider SI an addiction (which I 100% do), then that means we are also prone to other addictions. So be careful not to trade one thing for another. Too much of anything in life is unhealthy…

Originally Posted by Contrabanned

I have SI'd exclusively on my legs, which is why I never wear shorts. I intend to get tats down there whether the scars fade or not. It seems like a good idea, and I've always loved tattoos. Glad to see it's working for you :-)

Most of my scars are 8 years old. For my right arm, the scars were 1 month old when I got the tattoo. All of my scars were visible to a degree. The 8 year old ones were flesh-tone, but still raised. The 1 month old ones were still red (due to the collagen still forming). The only way you can see the scars under the tattoo is at an angle where you can see the skin rise or dip. Otherwise, you can’t tell. And even though some of the scars still show, people are looking at the tattoo and not the surrounding scars.

But honestly, in the end, it was for me. I wasn't trying to hide anything. It wasn’t about shame. I actually think it’s more about embracing myself. I’m saying to the world: “Look at my arms! Look at how beautiful they are. Look at far I’ve come” Yes, not everyone likes tattoos…can’t please everyone…lol. But tattoos can be a way to help you cope with SI and help you love yourself.

[x_BabyG_x]

That's brilliant. Nice to see a positive thread on here! xx

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[volcanopunk]

Congrats!

I sort of do the same thing with piercings. Being forced to take care of my body, by washing and taking care of my new jewelry, (and having something cool to look at in the mirror!) can really stave off wanting to harm it.