How To Keep Your Tattoo From Fading?
Tips for long-term tattoo aftercare
- Keep it clean. Wash your skin daily with a gentle, fragrance-free soap.
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin moisturized.
- Watch what you wear. Wear SPF clothing so the sun won’t fade your tattoo.
- Avoid excess weight gain or loss.
Contents
- 0.1 Can you stop a tattoo from fading?
- 0.2 How long do tattoos last before fading?
- 0.3 How do I keep my tattoo looking new?
- 0.4 What style of tattoo lasts the longest?
- 0.5 What color tattoo lasts the longest?
- 1 Where do tattoos fade the most?
- 2 How do I keep my tattoo black?
- 3 Can you touch up a faded tattoo?
Can you stop a tattoo from fading?
So, you want to know what are the secrets and tips of the trade to avoid your tattoo from fading? Well, let’s just debunk one myth right from the start. There is no way to stop a tattoo from fading, because just like your skin and so many other parts of your body, tattoos do age as well over time, and fading is just a fact you need to accept from the get go.
- That being said, it’s not all downhill from the day you get tattooed;
- There are definitely a handful of fairly simple, basic care tips for you and your tattoo to keep the fading to a minimum;
- Do Your Homework Before you book your appointment, there are a few important details to consider that will definitely help ensure the best results for your tattoo and a lesser chance for major fading;
Do you research, talk to friends, and dig around on line to get recommendations for a highly reputable tattoo shop. A well-known, trustworthy tattoo artist will be using high quality inks and the most current techniques. Do your research and learn about the different ink options around before getting your tattoo and then ask your artist what ink they intend on using so you can decide whether it’s of the quality you want.
Most tattoo inks will fade over time but never fade away completely. Regardless of whether it’s full color or just black, inevitably, The edges of the tattoo usually become less defined with time. Another detail to consider before you tattoo is your color choices.
Black and grey typically are the strongest colors and because they are bolder and darker, they tend to last longer than other brighter hues such as pink, yellow, green or purple, which all do tend to fade faster. Very dark colors like maroon and brown also have more staying power over time.
Choose the Best Spot on your Body for Your New Tattoo The next point of consideration is the placement of your tattoo. Friction = fading. If you want to minimize the fading, then the best options for placement are places where your tattoo doesn’t chafe or will be constantly rubbing up against another body part or against tight clothing.
Prepare for the Healing Process Believe it or not, the most important steps are the ones you take to care for your tattoo immediately after and until it is fully healed. During those first few weeks when the tattoo is curing and becoming one with you, it’s crucial to follow the specific care instructions provided by your tattoo artist in order to insure it heals well.
Reducing the chance of irritation or infection is paramount to attaining a spectacular tattoo for life. Once you get past the healing stages and you’re fully in maintenance mode, the way to minimize fading is really just sticking to a basic care routine.
Stay Hydrated! It’s no joke. Staying hydrated, and keeping your tattoo and surrounding skin squeaky clean properly moisturized is part of long-term maintenance to keeping your tattoo looking great. Choosing a high quality tattoo aftercare product to keep the area clean and well moisturized is essential.
No less important is keeping your body hydrated from the inside—so fill up your largest reusable water bottle every morning and drink it down by the time you say good-night. Proper sleep, and a well-balanced diet full of healthy fruits, vegetables and nutrient-rich foods will also do their part to ensure your skin gets the good stuff it needs to stay supple and well-nourished.
Any significant weight loss or gain can take a toll on the appearance of a tattoo, especially depending on where it is on the body. So, hands, wrists, feet and ankles are much less subject to changes than other areas on the body with more flesh. Protect Your Tattoo from the Sun If you are a sun-worshipper and want to preserve your tattoo, then SPF is your new best friend.
Seriously, just don’t leave home without it. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Regardless of the temperature outside, sunlight and UV exposure are just no good in any way for tattoos, so the best defense is either cover up with clothing or a really good SPF cream to protect it from all those powerful rays.
At the end of the day, keeping your skin saturated is key. Caring for your tattoo is important and easy! Just make sure you follow all of these important guidelines to keep your tattoo looking almost as good as the day it was done. About the author: Yaffa Baslaw ( @yadeinu ) is a Freelance Writer with over a decade of experience copywriting and blogging compelling content.
What to put on a tattoo to keep it from fading?
Tattoo Aftercare – Tattoo aftercare is one the most effective ways for you to keep your tattoo looking it’s best. This is critical to ensuring your tattoo remains healthy and does not fade. A good tattoo artist always provides tattoo aftercare recommendations specific to you. But there are general basics to follow:
- It is important to keep your new tattoo clean and moisturized.
- After removing the bandage covering a fresh tattoo, the area should be gently washed with lukewarm water and a mild antimicrobial soap. Splash water on the tattoo instead of running it directly under the water. Be gentle so as not to risk scratching or scabbing. Pat dry the area with a light towel, don’t rub it dry.
- Use an antibacterial ointment recommended by your artist, such as Tattoo Goo, for the first few days following your tattoo.
- There will be some scabbing, don’t worry, it’s part of the healing process. After the first few days continue using a mild moisturizing lotion until the scab is gone and the tattoo fully heals.
Proper tattoo aftercare includes both what to do, and what to avoid. Here are a few things to avoid during tattoo aftercare:
- Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight. UV rays are harmful on a fresh tattoo.
- Avoid soaking the tattoo until is fully healed.
- Do not scratch the tattoo. Yes, it’s tempting to pick away at the scab, but it prevents proper healing. Other than applying ointment, it’s best to avoid touching your tattoo altogether during the aftercare period.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol soon before and after a new tattoo. It is best to avoid them the day of and an artist will turn you away if you are clearly inebriated. Until the tattoo heals they increase the odds of infection.
- Avoid situations that wear on your new tattoo while healing. For example, wearing tight clothes or going to crowded clubs and concerts.
How long do tattoos last before fading?
What to Do When You Notice Fading – If you’ve followed aftercare instructions and you notice concerning fading (beyond what we discussed in the introduction) within 6-months then go see the tattooist right away. It may be the result of shoddy work, and they may need to do a touch-up for you.
- Potential for this concern can easily be mitigated by carefully vetting a tattoo parlor before booking an appointment;
- Quality work won’t fade so quickly, even when you slip-up (somewhat) on aftercare within the first 6-months;
Otherwise, any fading you experience will occur after years of living your life (taking sunny vacations, etc). At this point you can simply decide when it’s time to bring some life back to the tattoo. If the original artist is still available, then they will be more than happy to perform the touch-up at their hourly rate. .
How do I keep my tattoo vibrant?
How do I keep my tattoo looking new?
What style of tattoo lasts the longest?
Tattoos With A Bold Design – Simple, minimalist tattoos are enduringly popular, but bold tattoos tend to last the longest. You can count both the size and the thickness of the lines as two of the reasons why these tattoos age well. “Bold, black text and traditional American tattoos still look badass when they fade,” Villani says.
What color tattoo lasts the longest?
What Colors Last Longer in Tattoos? – Black and gray are the longest lasting color tattoos. These dark shades are dense and bold, making them less prone to fading. Vibrant and pastel colors like pink, yellow, light blue and green tend to fade faster. Credit: Instagram The shades commonly used in watercolors are very short-lived. Despite being incredibly popular, this style of tattooing requires frequent touch-ups. Credit: Instagram Credit: Instagram.
How long do tattoos last for?
So you’re considering your first tattoo. That’s cool—but don’t rush it. You need time to think about what you want needled into your skin, how badly you want it, and how to get it done safely (namely, by someone who knows what they’re doing). Since there are so many things to consider before you get a tattoo, we presented a few common ink-quiries to Tiffany Tattooz, owner and tattoo artist of Ink Gallery Tattoo Shop in Woodland Park, NJ, and mainstay of Black Ink Crew on VH1.
If you’re in the market for your first ink, read through her starter’s guide. It’ll inform every decision you make about the emblem you’ll soon wear for (hopefully) the rest of your days. What are the least (and most) painful body parts to tattoo? Everyone has a different type of pain tolerance when it comes to tattoos, but most seem to experience the least amount of pain in the arm and thigh areas.
These areas of the body have more fat tissue and less nerve density, which in turn causes less discomfort. The most painful will have to be the ribs, feet, and middle chest. There is less fat, the skin is very thin, and the bone is closer to the surface of the skin, allowing one to feel the sensitivity of the needle more.
What actually happens to the skin while receiving a tattoo? Basically, ink is being deposited and penetrated into the dermis layer of the skin. The pigments are too big to be fought off by our white blood cells, so they just pretty much stay in the dermis layer of our skin forever.
How should someone prepare for a tattoo? It’s recommended that you wash the area of the skin or take a shower before coming in to get the tattoo, especially if you work with paint, construction materials, garbage, or sewage. Although it’s my job as an artist to make sure the area is cleaned, cleaning up beforehand does help reduce the risk of other unclean body parts contaminating the clean area.
- On site, I always make sure to first clean the area being tattooed;
- I’ll then shave the customer’s skin and then spray it with alcohol to make sure the skin is fully sterile;
- How long do tattoos take to heal? Tattoos need about two weeks to heal, on average, although sometimes it can take more time, depending on the client’s skin and how long it took to complete the tattoo;
I tell my clients to keep the bandage on for 8-12 hours, because it allows plasma—our body’s natural way of healing itself—to regenerate skin tissue, thus allowing a quicker healing process and preventing scabbing. Once the wrap is taken off, I tell clients to use a fragrance-free antibacterial soap to wash the tattoo.
- They should use lukewarm water—never hot water;
- However, after completely washing the tattoo, they have to pour cold water on the skin to close up the pores;
- How should someone care for their tattoo immediately after inking? Wash the tattoo twice a day for the first three or four days, since tattoos are pretty much an open wound at this point;
After washing the tattoo, pat it dry with a paper towel. (Don’t use a cloth towel, because cloth towels hold bacteria. ) Wait 15 minutes and then apply a light coat of moisturizing ointment with clean hands. Apply the ointment twice a day (morning and night) for two days.
Less is better: Using too much ointment will cause problems with healing and fade the tattoo, since thick ointment can clog the pores. After the second day, switch to a fragrance-free lotion and apply 3-5 times a day depending on the consistency, for up to two weeks.
Do not pick or scratch your tattoo during the healing process. Hands should always be cleaned when applying any ointment or lotion on skin. You will have to avoid being in the sun or pool for two weeks, and, most important, in order for the tattoo to stay vibrant for many years, you should always use sun block when outside.
- How often do people typically need to get their tattoos touched up? It really all comes down to how they take care of their tattoos and if there were any scabs that have formed;
- If there were any issues during the healing process, then you will be able to tell within two weeks whether or not a tattoo needs to be touched up;
If there are no issues, then I would say a tattoo can hold up well for 10 years before seeing that it needs to be brand new again. As you get older, so does your ink. If one is always in the sun it will dull out the ink in your tattoo way sooner than someone who is never in the sun.
What’s your advice to someone who isn’t sure if they should get a tattoo? Don’t do it until you wake up one day and say, “I’m ready and I know what I want. ” I never recommend someone to get a tattoo if they’re unsure of their ideas or whether or not tattoos are for them.
It’s a permanent procedure—so you want to make sure that you’re confident having something etched on you for the rest your life. If you finally find yourself ready to get tattooed, then the next big step is to find an artist who “specializes” in the “style” you want.
Review their portfolio to see if you like his or her work, and then you can set an appointment. How do you know if your tattoo artist is legit? You can tell by their recognition, their portfolio, how long their wait is, and their prices.
How do prices vary for tattoos? Some artists charge hourly, or some charge by the piece. For larger tattoos, however, some will charge by the day (half-day sessions might be $400-600, or full-day sessions around $1,000 or more). 10. Is it easy to remove a tattoo? Painful? Laser tattoo removal is a painful process and requires many sessions. How has tattoo technology progressed in recent years?
- Ink: There are now quality ink brands that last longer on the skin throughout the years. Some black inks are so dark, I can’t even use them for shading in a realistic tattoo—I can only use them for solid black work like tribal tattoos.
- Machinery: New tattoo machines called “rotaries” make no sound while tattooing and feel lightweight on the wrist and hand, which decreases the chances of tendinitis and carpal tunnel for the artist. It almost feels like you’re tattooing with a pencil.
- Cost: I now even have a “wireless power supply” to run my tattoo machine—it actually keeps track of how long I’ve spent with the client, and how long I’ve been actually “tattooing” them. This never existed nine years ago. The power supply even shows me how much my clients should pay based off the time I spent on them.
- Needles: Previous needles required different machines to use. Now, there are needle cartridges that you can attach and detach so it can all be done from one machine.
- Resources: Even social media, YouTube, and online podcasts have made it much easier to learn and grow as an artist quickly. The resources are enormous.
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Where do tattoos fade the most?
How do I keep my tattoo black?
Can you touch up a faded tattoo?
Your tattoo will not look same after a couple of years. The color will start fading gradually. You can get touch up to offer it a new and fresh look to old tattoos.
What fades tattoos naturally?
Other Tattoo Removal / Fading Options: – Lemon Juice – Prior to getting professional treatment, lemons are a great natural remedy to lighten a tattoo. Lemons are commonly known as a lightening agent for skin. Apply fresh-squeezed or pure lemon juice to your tattoo up to three times a day, and within several weeks, the ink of your tattoo, specifically the darker colours should be noticeably faded.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Exfoliation – Exfoliation paired with hydrogen peroxide can do wonders to gradually fade tattoo ink naturally. This is because exfoliation removes dead skin while hydrogen peroxide is a skin lightening agent that has bleaching properties.
For this process, you want to first exfoliate your skin safely and naturally with a salt or sugar scrub. After spending a few minutes exfoliating, dab hydrogen peroxide on the area. Ensure that you are not breaking any new skin during exfoliation, so make sure to stop if it starts to get painful or raw.
- Professional Tattoo Removal – Natural processes don’t always work for everyone, and dark inks can be the toughest to fade;
- For this reason, going to a professional tattoo removal center might be your best option;
This will also depend on the skin depth of the tattoo ink. Many of the natural lightening options only fade more surface-level inks. Most dermatologists will be able to help you lighten or remove your tattoo using lasers. All of the aforementioned methods for lightening and fading a tattoo will vary in success and time depending on skin type.
This will also depend on the type and size of the tattoo as larger and more colourful tattoos will likely take longer to fade than small, simple ones. In general, many cover up tattoo artists will suggest undergoing a few rounds of tattoo laser removal before getting a cover up.
Why Your NEW Tattoo Is FADING AND What To Do To Fix IT!
A normal laser treatment tattoo removal process will take about 12-15 sessions to completely remove the old tattoo. Fading a tattoo for a cover up should only require about 3-4 sessions, and will cost a fraction of the price of full removal.
Why is my tattoo fading after a week?
The Healing Process – Despite their beauty, tattoos are actual open wounds, therefore, your skin needs time to recover. As a tattoo heals, it goes through different stages, some of which might seem concerning:
- Discharge and redness: Once you remove the wrap your artist applied to the wound, your tattoo may leak plasma and other fluids , and the surrounding skin will usually be red. Some people also experience ink coming from the tattoo.
- Itching: Perhaps the most annoying stage is the itching. It might occur late in the first week or into the second, and you may notice some flaking. It’s crucial, however, to resist scratching as it could damage your skin and even lead to an infection. Instead, apply a gentle lotion or an ice pack over your clothes to numb the sensation.
- Skin peeling: Once you’re a week or two into your healing, the tattoo is likely to begin peeling. This is because the outermost layer of skin—the epidermis—suffered damage and is now being replaced by new skin cells. Don’t worry, the artwork won’t peel off and it’s a sign that your tattoo is healing well.
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How often should you lotion your tattoo?
Should I apply lotion to my tattoo? What kind of tattoo care products do you recommend? – Yes! Moisturizing your tattoo regularly is extremely important. You should moisturize your clean tattoo 3 – 6 times per day, for roughly two weeks (though proper skincare is always important, and most tattoo enthusiasts moisturize their tattoos daily for life!). A white cream lotion or moisturizer, preferably unscented, should be used! We recommend these fragrance-free, white cream lotions: Aveeno , Curel , and Eucerin . Be warned: your favorite fragranced lotion is not a good option for moisturizing your tattoo – this can cause an excruciating burning sensation when applied to the tattoo, which is essentially an open wound. The fewer chemicals in the product, the better! Pure cocoa butter or shea butter is also popular for darker skin tones and is a fine option. There are some manufacturers who design products specifically for tattoo aftercare that work well for long-term care (such as Tattoo Goo , H2Ocean , and Hustle Butter ). Do NOT use aloe vera gel to moisturize, and we don’t recommend A&D ointment either, as the oil in these products can extract some of the ink from your tattoo.
Which tattoo colors fade the fastest?
Best Tattoo Colors that Last the Longest – Below is a quick guide to tattoo colors, ranked from the color that lasts the longest to the one that fades the quickest.
- Black and gray: Black and gray inks are the boldest and most dense; thus, they are the most fade-resistant colors. These are suitable for any skin tone, especially with tan or black skin. With proper aftercare, black and gray colors last for up to 10 years or longer before requiring a retouch.
- Dark blue: Like black ink, dark blue tattoo colors are suitable for dark skin. They have long-wearing pigments and can also last for up to 10 years.
- Red, orange, yellow, and purple: These tattoo colors fade faster on light skin and are more crucial to working with sensitive and freckled skin. They generally last for about eight years or longer before requiring a retouch.
- Pastel colors and white are the lightest tattoo colors; thus, they fade the quickest among all colors. They generally last for about five to eight years before fading. Moreover, pastel and white ink colors may look like scars if not done correctly.
- ‘Glow-in-the-dark’: UV tattoos are trendy since they appear fluorescent with UV light. However, they do not last as long as the other tattoo colors. Most tattoo artists say that glow-in-the-dark tattoos can last for three to five years before starting to fade.
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How can I darken my tattoo?
Lotions for Immediate (yet short term) Results – Avid Shark Tank viewers (aren’t we all?) may recall an episode where a pair of young entrepreneurs pitched a moisturizing solution for bringing old tattoos back to life. The proprietary lines of lotions and creams from Mad Rabbit Tattoo reportedly darkened the appearance of a tattoo, but not the actual ink itself.
Mark Cuban invested in the brand that went from a $600 side hustle to an over $4. 2 million dollar valuation. So yes, there are dedicated balms, creams, and lotions on the market that can darken the appearance of your tattoo.
These can be great for when you want to show off your body ink on any given day, whether going to the beach or for a night out on the town. It’s an effective albeit short term solution. Still, if you don’t mind a little rub down each day it is the most practical solution.
Plus, these moisturizers typically contain ingredients that provide excellent protection for your tattoo, even if you’re well beyond the “aftercare” stage. It’s never too late to shield your ink from further fading.
The next time you’re in our shop/s, ask Adrenaline Studios staff about topical ointments on site that may be available for purchase.
How long do permanent tattoos last?
If you take good care of the tattoo, and you’ve applied it properly, it will last you two weeks for sure. Permanent Tattoos – these tattoos will last you a lifetime. That is unless you decide to go for laser tattoo removal, in which case they’ll last you how long you want them to last.
Why is my tattoo fading after a week?
The Healing Process – Despite their beauty, tattoos are actual open wounds, therefore, your skin needs time to recover. As a tattoo heals, it goes through different stages, some of which might seem concerning:
- Discharge and redness: Once you remove the wrap your artist applied to the wound, your tattoo may leak plasma and other fluids , and the surrounding skin will usually be red. Some people also experience ink coming from the tattoo.
- Itching: Perhaps the most annoying stage is the itching. It might occur late in the first week or into the second, and you may notice some flaking. It’s crucial, however, to resist scratching as it could damage your skin and even lead to an infection. Instead, apply a gentle lotion or an ice pack over your clothes to numb the sensation.
- Skin peeling: Once you’re a week or two into your healing, the tattoo is likely to begin peeling. This is because the outermost layer of skin—the epidermis—suffered damage and is now being replaced by new skin cells. Don’t worry, the artwork won’t peel off and it’s a sign that your tattoo is healing well.
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Can you recolor a tattoo?
Blending Colors – Tattoo recoloring is possible in case you want to change the color scheme of your tattoo, but there is a catch. In order to make this work as well as possible, your tattoo artist will have to blend the existing color with a new one to form a new ink color.
But, this cannot be done with just any ink color; there has to be some logic to this process. For example, if your tattoo has yellow ink, the tattooist can add a little bit of red ink to make your tattoo appear orange.
Now, the tattoo artist has to be smart about blending colors. They cannot just slap one color over the other and call it a day. Instead, they have to make it look as if one color is fading in and the other is fading out. This way, the blending will look natural and the mixing of the color won’t ruin the tattoo.
- However, if you’re tattoo is already covered in darker colors, this process will be almost impossible;
- The tattooist cannot pull out the dark color and replace it with another;
- And, by adding another color over it, they can make the tattoo appear even darker;
So, this process is only possible with lighter-colored tattoos or tattoos where the color has faded significantly. Also Read: Can You Mix Tattoo Ink Colors? Everything You Need To Know About Tattoo Ink Mixing and Blending.
