Scars can be both physical and emotional. They can be born from something as mundane as a knife accidentally slicing your hand, to an experience so traumatic it becomes unforgettable. Tattoo artist Brian Finn understands this better than anyone. He spends his days etching scars into skin, creating works of art with ink and a needle, and he's heard every tattoo inspiration story in the book. That's why he decided to take one day out of each week to give tattoos to survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and self-harm—for free.

The idea began in October 2015 when several of Finn's clients couldn't afford the body art they wanted. These tattoos were often violence-related, commemorating struggles endured or celebrating moving on from past harm. Finn said he realized his small sacrifice of time and money could make a significant impact in someone else's life. So for him, there was no question. He would give them the tattoos, free of charge.

"It's just something I can do that won't take much time that can make a big impact on other people," Finn told The Huffington Post. "A tattoo can help disguise the scars, so ... it's like a new chapter."

So far, Finn's work includes a Celtic knot laid over self-harm scars and a skull covering a scar on the skin of a domestic violence survivor. Some survivors are very open about their stories, he said, while others prefer to keep them private. Still, each tattoo, big or small, carries an important meaning for the survivor receiving it, and Finn sees his work simply: "It's just not being a jerk," he said.

Finn has only done five pro-bono tattoos to date, but since media coverage surrounding his work has intensified, requests have been pouring in. This prompted the artist to post an Instagram message encouraging interested recipients to remain patient as he sorts through his flooded inbox. Now that Finn's work has become so publicly recognized, it's likely he will likely be of service to many more survivors—helping even more people enter the next phases of the journeys they're embarking on.

"There's definitely been tears involved—of happiness," he said of his work. "It's been a great response."

Photo Credit: Instagram / @BrianFinnstagram