Can I cover an old tattoo with a new tattoo?

A cover-up is a new tattoo

The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah has cursed the one "who tattoos (herself or someone else) or gets herself tattooed" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5937). Scholars apply this to men and women alike. The ruling attaches to the act of tattooing, and a cover-up means new needles and new ink in your skin. Wanting to hide something doesn't change what the act is. See Is laser tattoo removal allowed in Islam?

Your old tattoo is already forgiven

When the Companion Amr ibn al-As worried about his past, the Prophet ﷺ asked him: "Are you not aware of the fact that Islam wipes out all the previous (misdeeds)?" (Sahih Muslim 121). A tattoo you got before Islam is not something you carry as a sin. That's why most scholars say you aren't required to remove it, and certainly not to add another one.

Better options than a new tattoo

• Leave it. Wudu, ghusl and prayer are all valid with a tattoo, because the ink is under the skin.
• Cover it with clothing. Long sleeves or trousers are the simplest answer if you don't want it seen.
• Use makeup. Waterproof cover-up makeup works for events, but wash it off before wudu so water reaches the skin.
• Fade or remove it with a laser, if it's safe and you want to. Scholars allow this, and it's your choice.

Your prayers are not affected either way. See Can I make wudu with a tattoo?

What if the design itself is offensive?

Some old tattoos show something clearly against Islam, such as a symbol of another faith or something indecent. Most scholars say to keep these covered with clothing and, if you can do so safely, to fade them over time. A new design is still a new tattoo, so it isn't the answer. If you feel stuck, talk to a local imam about your exact situation. Scholars sometimes see special cases differently, and a conversation is better than guessing.

Also remember the bigger picture. See Do I have to remove my tattoos after becoming Muslim?