Dear Reverend,
Sixteen years ago, my sister and I got matching tattoos as a memorial for our brother, who passed away. Hers still looks great, but mine has faded a lot and looks so bad that I’m embarrassed to show it. It’s too far gone to get touched up, so I’d like to cover it with something new, but I’m worried my sister will be upset. Should I ask her if it’s OK?
Miss Ink, (woman, 38)
Dear Miss Ink,
Tattoos are permanent, but there’s no guarantee they’ll look fantastic forever. They are a form of living art, and many factors play into their staying power. These include the design, the artist’s technique, sun exposure, friction, aging and even your own immune system.
While you and your sister started off matching, it’s not surprising that your tattoos have aged differently. You’re two separate people, after all.
It’s your body, so you can do whatever the heck you want with it. However, it would be considerate to let your sister know of your plan. If you explain your reasoning for wanting to cover the tattoo, I can’t imagine that she would be upset with you.
If you’re worried about losing the match factor, perhaps there’s a way to incorporate something from the original design into the new one so that your tattoos still relate to each other. Or who knows? Your sister may also want to refresh hers, and you can still be twinsies.
A memorial tattoo should make you remember who you got it for, not make you feel embarrassed. You shouldn’t have any guilt about doing something new, because the old ink will still be there even if you can’t see it. I’m also certain that more than just the tattoo is keeping your brother’s memory alive.
Whatever you do, moisturize and use sunscreen to help keep your new tattoo alive, too.
Good luck and God bless,
The Reverend
This article appears in January 28 • 2026.