Art That Heals Body And Soul Scars - Unique Tattoo Therapy Project

Valeria Puhach, who ranks among the top tattoo artists in the world, talks about the world's first free project for covering scars.

An artist from Ukraine has initiated a unique tattoo project that heals scars on bodies and souls.

Before we delve into your Tattoo Therapy project, tell us the most important things about yourself.

My name is Valeria, I'm from Ukraine, and I've been tattooing for about 12 years, practically all my adult life. I'm among the top world masters. I've been a judge at competitions like Villain Arts tattoo Conventions and Ukrainian National Tattoo Association Online tattoo competition. I've also participated in exhibitions like Golden State tattoo conventions. In the project, which we'll talk about, another tattoo artist partners with me, I'll say a few words about her too. Her name is Alena, she's from New York. She's been tattooing for about 8 years, also participated in exhibitions like mention exhibitions, and judged mention competitions.

Why did you decide to create a project that covers scars with tattoos?

When I was 8 years old, I got burned - I accidentally spilled boiling water on myself. The burns were serious, I even had to be hospitalized. After that, I was left with large scars on my arms and stomach. Over time, some of the scars faded, but those on my stomach never did. They caused me, as a young girl, a lot of discomfort. For example, when you're in a swimsuit, it feels like everyone is just staring at your scarred stomach, you feel different, like you stand out too much. Maybe nobody really paid that much attention to my scars, but the pain and complexes were deeply rooted in my mind, affecting how I saw myself, my life, and my choice of clothing. But everything changed when I got a tattoo on my stomach to cover the scars. I almost immediately forgot that there were ever scars there! I started receiving tons of compliments like, wow, what a tattoo! And the part of my body I used to feel self-conscious about became my pride! Now I think to myself, "Wow, I have a cool tattoo!" I wear crop tops confidently and just feel different about myself. And when I saw how covering the scar improved both my body and self-perception, I realized it was a kind of therapy for me. And I thought, if other women with similar issues want to get tattoos on their scars, I can help them. And that's how the free Tattoo Therapy project came about. But in this project, we not only help cover scars on the body but also heal them in the soul. Because in our team, we also have a psychologist.

What exactly does the psychologist do in your project?

When I came up with Tattoo Therapy, it seemed to me that tattoos alone weren't enough. After all, scars leave traces not only on the outside but also on the inside. They remind you every minute of what you've been through and bring a lot of emotional pain to many. Tattoos can cover up scars, but they don't change what's in your head. So I decided to approach this comprehensively. During the breaks between tattoo sessions, the girls also undergo psychotherapy sessions if they want to. The psychologist helps them deal with the emotional trauma and fears they've acquired over the years of living with scars. And they also observe how a person's state changes after their favorite flowers, plants, animals, landscapes, or patterns appear in place of the scar.

Who was the first person to approach you as part of the Tattoo Therapy project?

It was back when I was living in Ukraine. Her name is Yana, and she had a similar story to mine - she was only 11 months old when she spilled a cup of very hot cocoa on herself. This left a large scar on her arm from the burn, and as a child, she was teased by other kids. There was even a boy who would scream that she had a monster on her arm. As she grew older, she got used to the scar, but she never got used to people's reactions to it.

Of course, they stopped teasing her, but sooner or later, people would ask her what happened, and she had to explain it over and over again. From my own experience, I know that when you have a big scar, you cover it with clothing, and that makes you feel closed off. It was the same with Yana. But when we started gradually applying a bright flower design to her arm, and at the same time, she began seeing our psychologist, she came to each subsequent session more positive. It was such a joy to see her opening up more and more, enjoying herself, sending photos to everyone, posing in open dresses. It was clear that she was really feeling great, and that she was starting to accept herself, like, damn, I'm cool, I look great, everything's awesome! And it was like finally turning someone's life around completely.

Not every tattoo artist is willing to work on scars, even someone as experienced and top-tier as you. It's a real challenge. What is the most difficult part for you when working on traumatized skin?

Certainly, there are certain technical challenges because it's skin that has undergone changes. Somewhere it's thinner, somewhere thicker, or someone might have a very sensitive area, while someone else might be the opposite. It's all very individual, and all of this needs to be taken into account. But, in my opinion, the harder part isn't technical, it's the psychological aspect, especially during the first meeting. When we're just getting to know someone who wants to cover a scar with a tattoo, you have to be very careful, tactful, and attentive to not inadvertently hurt their feelings or evoke painful memories. Because during the first meeting, I don't always know what path the person has walked and what or even who left them with that scar. Recently, a woman came to me for a consultation who had survived breast cancer, and she had her breasts removed. She didn't come alone; she was with her closest people - her husband and children, who were very supportive. You could tell they were a wonderful loving family. But for her, the surgery was a very traumatic experience - both physically and mentally. And despite the incredible support from her loved ones, it's still difficult for her to accept herself without breasts because they were a part of her. In such situations, you experience all of this together with the person, literally taking on a part of their pain. And that's very challenging. But it's worth it.

Who can participate in your project?

When I first started Tattoo Therapy in Ukraine, I planned to make the project available to anyone who truly suffers from living with scars. I wanted to share my own experience and do what I did - transform the part of the body that a person considers a flaw into something they can be proud of. However, now that I've moved to America, I've had many people come to me for consultations after breast removal surgeries. Each had their own story and reasons, but overall, I saw how important and sensitive this topic is. I saw how many of my clients want to cover these scars, turn them into something beautiful, and forget the pain they've endured. It struck me. And I decided that going forward, I want to focus more on people with this specific request.

Is participation in the project free?

Yes, absolutely. Tattoo Therapy is not about money; it's my soul, it's a cause that gives meaning to everything I do.

If a person decides to participate in Tattoo Therapy, what stages do they go through from applying to the final result?

We have a website and an Instagram page, where you can find a form to participate in the project. You need to fill it out, and then we review it and provide feedback - whether we're ready to take on the case or not. Then we reach out to the person and sort out the organizational details. Currently, Alena and I work together - I do color tattoos, and she does black and gray. This way, we can reach a broader range of people with different preferences.

But I work in Los Angeles, and Alena is in New York, so depending on the person's preferences for tattoo style, we discuss where they will fly and so on. Then, when we understand that the person is truly ready, the consultation stage begins - we examine the skin, identify individual characteristics, and decide on the design. And once everything is agreed upon, the person goes to our psychologist and has a session with them. Everything that happens in the session, of course, remains confidential between the client and the psychologist. And then we do the tattoo. It's usually not done in just one session and not more often than once a month, so the skin has time to heal.

After the tattoo is finished, a few months later, the person comes back to the psychologist to discuss how they're feeling, what has changed, and so on.

Are you aware of other projects similar to yours?

Alena and I are not the only tattoo artists who work on covering scars, but we are the first in the world to do it for free and in a comprehensive manner, in collaboration with a psychologist. And soon, a unique feature will appear on our website - a database of designs for different parts of the body. A person will be able to choose the one they like, download it absolutely for free, and bring it to their tattoo artist. So you won't have to fly to me in LA or to Alena in NY. If you really like our work and how it looks in our vision - great, take it for yourself. Each design will also come with outlines for tattoo artists. And this feature will also be the first of its kind in the world; I don't know of any other project that offers such an opportunity.

What would you like to say to those who have scars and want to cover them with tattoos but haven't dared to do it yet?

First of all, you need to honestly ask yourself if you're ready for a tattoo. Because if you hesitate, aren't sure, or don't know - then it's definitely not the right time. This should be a thoroughly considered moment. You have to come to it, feel that you really want it, and that you really need it. If you've made up your mind but are nervous about finding the right artist, consult with a few, and find the one that suits you best. This is a serious step for you and a challenging job for the artist, so it's crucial to approach it with maximum responsibility. Look for a tattoo artist who has experience working with scars, understands the specifics of traumatized skin, and knows how to create a beautiful composition on the body that emphasizes and makes it even more beautiful than it was before.

For more information about Tattoo Therapy, visit the official website here.