What Tattoo Colors Fade The Fastest?

What 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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Which tattoos fade the fastest?

What colors last the longest in tattoos?

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.

Do colored tattoos fade faster?

Can Color Tattoos Fade? – While all tattoo fade , color tattoos certainly will fade quicker if you don’t take good care of them from the outset. Light colors will generally fade quicker than darker colors, with white ink being the one that will usually fade the quickest out of all the colors. What Tattoo Colors Fade The Fastest However, colored inks have improved considerably in recent years, and these enhancements help to prevent tattoos from fading as much as they would have a decade ago.

What is the hardest color to tattoo?

Green, Blue, and Purple – The most challenging colors of tattoo ink to be removed would be green, blue, and purple. These colors require many sessions of laser removal treatment, and even after these sessions, the tattoo may still be visible. The darker the colors, the easier it is to remove them.

What color tattoo fades the least?

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.

.

What 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.

Where do tattoos fade the least?

Best: Shoulders & Calves – Since the skin on the shoulders and calves isn’t as affected by aging, tattoos in these areas tend to stay put, Palomino says. Compare this to the areas that tend to see a lot of change over the course of your life, like your abdomen.

What are the best colors for tattoos?

The Importance of Your Skin’s Pigment – The overtone, or skin’s pigment, is basically the color of your skin. The pigment can have a huge impact on your tattoo because not every color will show up on every overtone. Here’s a good rule of thumb for each skin type: Choose shades which are either quite a bit lighter than your skin or quite a bit darker than it. Additionally, keep in mind some colors work better on certain pigments better than others:

  • Light/Fair Skin: White, or other light colors like pale blue, usually works well on people with fair skin.
  • Medium Skin: Red, green, orange, and blues look great on tan or olive-toned skin.
  • Dark Skin: The darkest colors on the color spectrum work best. Crimson, black, and dark blue look great on darker skin tones. Undertones –

Why do color tattoos hurt more?

So, Do Color Tattoos Hurt More? – Generally speaking, ink color doesn’t determine the amount of pain you’ll feel. The color simply doesn’t have to do anything with the pain of the tattoo. As we mentioned, tattoo placement, your pain tolerance, and your tattooist’s technique are the main factors determining how painful the process will be.

Sure, there was a time when colored ink used to have a thicker consistency than black ink. This was an issue since it took the tattooist longer to pack the colored ink, which in itself hurts. The longer you’re getting tattooed, the higher the skin damage and the more painful the process becomes.

Nowadays, all inks are of similar consistency, so there isn’t an issue there. Now, if your tattoo artist takes a long time to complete the tattoo, you’ll experience more pain as the process goes on. Also, if the tattoo artist uses a dull needle, chances are the process will hurt more.

Sharp, new needles tend to hurt less. Now, as the needle gets worn out, it remains sharp, but it dulls out a little bit. This small difference in needle sharpness can promote faster skin damage and of course, cause more pain.

If your tattooist uses white ink highlight , you can expect more pain. This is again not because of the needle or the ink color, but rather the pain is caused by the repetition of needle penetration in one place. In order for the white ink to fully show and become saturated, the tattooist needs to go over the same area several times.

  • That is what causes skin damage and pain;
  • Now, after all of the information, we do have to point out that there are people who swear that the coloring/shading of the tattoo hurts more than the linework or tattoo outline;

Pain is a subjective thing, so it can be hard to be exact with the answer to whether color tattoos hurt more than regular ones.

Why is my tattoo fading after 3 days?

This is a bit of a trick question. The reason being, is that a tattoo “fades” to the naked eye within days of application. This occurs because as the skin heals, the top layer dies and new skin forms to take its place. During this period the epidermis typically has a faded appearance. However, this is a natural part of the tattoo healing process and as the peeling subsides and the dead skin falls away the design will once again look crisp and fresh.

  • Still, it won’t have that same deep dark tone as it did when your tattooist put his/her gun away;
  • Anyone who has received a tattoo already knows this;
  • But what you want to know now, is when can you expect a tattoo to fade in the longer term;
You might be interested:  What If My Tattoo Is Peeling?

Let’s have a look.

How can I make my tattoo fade faster?

Download Article Download Article While results can be mixed, there are a couple of ways to reduce the appearance of unwanted tattoos without resorting to surgery. Your best bet is to begin daily applications of a mild skin-lightening agent like hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice. If you’re looking for a faster, more direct approach, you could also try exfoliating the tattoo thoroughly 2-3 times a day with a homemade salt scrub or similar abrasive mixture.

  1. 1 Use common household items to lighten your tattooed skin naturally. Lemon and lime juice , glycolic acid, and hydrogen peroxide can all produce mild bleaching action when applied directly to the skin. Chances are, you have one or more of these items sitting around in your pantry or medicine cabinet right now. [1]
    • Some holistic skincare experts also swear by the skin-lightening properties of undiluted essential oils, such as lavender oil.
    • Avoid mixing multiple lightening agents. Not only will this not make them more effective, it could cause an unsafe chemical reaction.
    • The actual effectiveness of topical skin lightening solutions is up for debate. If you decide to experiment with any of these substances, you’ll be doing so at your own risk. There’s a chance that they may not work permanently, or that they could result in scarring or similar damage. [2]
  2. 2 Try a tattoo remover cream if you’d rather use a commercial product. There are a number of creams, lotions, and gels on the market that claim to be able to rapidly fade subdermal ink. If you’re not interested in DIY solutions, consider giving one of these products a shot. Keep in mind, however, that there’s no hard evidence that they make much of a difference. [3]
    • Ask your tattoo artist if they have any recommendations for tattoo remover products that do what they’re advertised to do.
    • Tattoo removers often contain harsh chemicals, and could lead to irritation or even permanent scarring if applied regularly or incorrectly. [4]

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  3. 3 Rub your skin lightener of choice onto the tattoo until it’s fully absorbed. Saturate a washcloth, clean sponge, or folded strip of gauze with the liquid, then apply it to directly to your skin. You can do this by either blotting the area or covering the entire tattoo with the cloth, sponge, or gauze, if it’s small enough. What’s important is that the liquid makes contact with every part of the ink. [5]
    • For best results, allow your skin lightener to sit on your skin for 5-10 minutes after applying it.
    • You may need a helping hand if you’re attempting to fade a tattoo on your back or another hard-to-reach spot.

    Tip: Test your lightening agent on a small, out-of-the-way patch of skin before applying it over a larger area to make sure you won’t react negatively to it. [6]

  4. 4 Continue treating your tattoo 3-5 times a day until you see results. Get in the habit of applying your lightening agent at least twice throughout the course of the day—once in the morning and once in the evening. You’ll need to be persistent with your chosen home remedy if it’s to have any effect.
    • Stop using a particular skin lightener if it begins to cause redness, irritation, blistering, or peeling. [7]
    • Even with continual applications, there’s a chance that your tattoo may not lose its vibrancy.
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  1. 1 Mix up a basic homemade salt scrub. Combine ½ a cup (100 g) of coarse sea salt with 1 ⁄ 4 – 1 ⁄ 3 cup (59–79 mL) of olive, coconut, or almond oil in a small lidded container. Keep the container with the rest of your hygiene products, on your bedside table, or somewhere else where you’ll see it and remember to use it every day. [8]
    • If you like, you can also add a few drops of fragrant essential oils and some dried botanical elements to your salt scrub. This won’t affect its abrasive properties, but it will make it smell more pleasant. [9]
    • Salt scrubs are natural, easy to make, and highly effective as far as exfoliants go.
  2. 2 Pick up a gentle, vitamin-infused body scrub if you have sensitive skin. If you don’t like the idea of grinding a scratchy salt paste onto your extremities, you also have the option of buying a gentle commercial exfoliant designed specifically to nourish and protect skin. Along with abrasive elements, these products boast vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients as main ingredients. [10]
    • Look for scrubs containing Vitamin C, which is especially good for maintaining soft, clear, glowing skin. [11]
    • Alternatively, you could try making your own nourishing body scrub using things like white or brown sugar, Epsom salts, shea butter, honey, coffee grounds, and aloe vera gel.
  3. 3 Apply a small amount of exfoliant directly to the tattoo. Scoop up a quarter-sized glob of your scrub with two fingers to start with and rub it onto the entire area. Smooth on additional exfoliant as needed to ensure that each part of the tattoo is covered with a thin layer.
    • You may need to use quite a bit of scrub if the tattoo you’re trying to erase is particularly large.
  4. 4 Massage the scrub into the tattoo vigorously using a pumice stone. Rather than trying to work the exfoliant in with your fingers, grab a pumice stone and rub it over the tattoo using small, circular motions. Apply light, steady pressure, and be careful not to scrub too hard. Do this for 30-60 seconds. [12]
    • Before you begin scrubbing, soak your pumice stone in a bowl of warm water. This will help it slide across your skin and cut down on unnecessary resistance. [13]
    • The pumice stone will cover a larger area and provide additional scouring power.

    Tip: The idea is to take off the outermost layer of skin a little at a time. Minor discomfort is normal, but if it hurts, try using a softer touch.

  5. 5 Rinse the area thoroughly with lukewarm water. Hold the exfoliated tattoo under a gentle stream to wash away the accumulated scrub and dead skin. Your skin will likely feel a little raw, so avoid using water that’s too hot, along with soaps or cleansers that might irritate or dry it out even more. [14]
    • It may be easier to hop in the shower if you can’t easily rinse your tattoo under the sink, or if you’re trying to fade multiple pieces at once.
    • If you like, you can apply little moisturizer after exfoliating to soothe and protect your skin. [15]
  6. 6 Repeat your exfoliation routine 2-3 times a day for about a month. In all likelihood, you’ll start to see a noticeable difference after a few weeks. Assuming you don’t, your only remaining option will be to talk to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon about a formal tattoo removal procedure. [16]
    • Discontinue treatment immediately if you experience severe or prolonged skin irritation.
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  1. 1 Talk to your dermatologist about a laser removal procedure. Laser removal is the only method that has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of tattoos. During the procedure, specially-trained technicians use concentrated streams of light to break up the ink sitting deep below the surface of the skin. [17]
    • If you want guaranteed, permanent results, it’s highly recommended that you save up your money for a course of laser treatment.
    • While tattoo laser removal is extremely effective, it’s not quick or cheap—a single session can cost as much as $500, and in many cases it can take 2-6 sessions before you start to see a significant difference. [18]
    • Make sure you go to a licensed, reputable laser technician to get a tattoo removed. [19]
  2. 2 Receive a series of chemical peels to erase the tattoo gradually. This type of treatment is sometimes referred to as “chemical resurfacing. ” The way it works is that highly acidic chemicals are applied directly to the top layer of skin, causing it to die. After it sloughs off, the area is given time to heal, eventually leaving behind smooth, clear skin. [20]
    • Chemical peels were the most popular tattoo removal method before the introduction of light-based procedures. Even so, reports vary as to how well they work.
    • These treatments are not without risk. Possible complications include severe chemical burns and permanent scarring. [21]
  3. 3 Undergo surgery to have the tattoo partially removed. With traditional surgery, plastic surgeons actually cut out the layers of skin sitting on top of the embedded ink. The tattoo will no longer be as visible once new skin has grown in its place. [22]
    • Surgery can successfully fade tattoos to some degree, but in many cases surgeons aren’t safely able to cut deep enough to extract the majority of the ink. [23]
    • Like chemical peels it’s possible for a surgical operation to leave scars, bumps, discoloration, and other imperfections.
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Add New Question

  • Question How can I make my tattoo fade faster? Grant Lubbock is a Tattoo Artist and Co-Owner of Red Baron Ink, a tattoo salon based in New York City. Grant has over 10 years of tattooing experience and he specializes in neo-traditional, black/grey, and color tattoos. Red Baron Ink’s main goal is for each tattoo coming out of their studio to be one of a kind custom pieces that will look good throughout a lifetime. Tattoo Artist Expert Answer Skip out on applying moisturizing lotions to your tattoo since they can actually prevent tattoos from fading.

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

  • You’re more likely to see a difference in tattoos in high-friction areas, such as your hands, feet, thighs, or the insides of your upper arms. [24]
  • Don’t worry if your tattoo doesn’t disappear altogether—partially-faded tattoos are easier and less expensive to have removed than ones that are still bold.

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  • There’s no guarantee that any of the methods described here will be successful. If you want to get rid of a tattoo for good, your best bet is to consult a qualified skin care professional.
  • Ultraviolet light has been shown to help fade tattoos over time. However, it’s not recommended that you spend more time in the sun or tanning bed, as excessive exposure is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.

Advertisement.

Does washing your tattoo make it fade?

Over-Cleansing Your Skin But don’t get carried away, experts say, or else you might actually cause your tattoo to fade. ‘It’s good to cleanse but be careful of ‘over-cleansing,” Backe says. ‘Removing dirt and oils from your skin is healthy but you don’t want to dry out your skin.

What color tattoo Cannot be removed?

Tattoo Ink Green is the hardest color to remove followed by light blue. Neon colors are also incredibly difficult to remove, and typically require multiple treatments with the Ruby laser. As a general rule, the greater the contrast between the color of the tattoo pigment and your skin, the better the result.

What’s the easiest tattoo colors to remove?

Different colors, different lasers – No single laser can remove all tattoo colors. Different dyes respond to different light wavelengths. Black and dark green are the easiest colors to remove; yellow, purple, turquoise and fluorescent dyes are hardest to fade.

What tattoo color is hardest to cover?

Can You Cover Up a Black Tattoo with Color?  – It is difficult to cover up a black tattoo with any color other than black. Other dark tones like navy or brown might work, but lighter colors won’t be effective in covering up an original black tattoo. If you want to get bright new colors in your new tattoo, you may be a good candidate for laser tattoo removal to fade your original black design.

How can I make my tattoo fade faster?

Download Article Download Article While results can be mixed, there are a couple of ways to reduce the appearance of unwanted tattoos without resorting to surgery. Your best bet is to begin daily applications of a mild skin-lightening agent like hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice. If you’re looking for a faster, more direct approach, you could also try exfoliating the tattoo thoroughly 2-3 times a day with a homemade salt scrub or similar abrasive mixture.

  1. 1 Use common household items to lighten your tattooed skin naturally. Lemon and lime juice , glycolic acid, and hydrogen peroxide can all produce mild bleaching action when applied directly to the skin. Chances are, you have one or more of these items sitting around in your pantry or medicine cabinet right now. [1]
    • Some holistic skincare experts also swear by the skin-lightening properties of undiluted essential oils, such as lavender oil.
    • Avoid mixing multiple lightening agents. Not only will this not make them more effective, it could cause an unsafe chemical reaction.
    • The actual effectiveness of topical skin lightening solutions is up for debate. If you decide to experiment with any of these substances, you’ll be doing so at your own risk. There’s a chance that they may not work permanently, or that they could result in scarring or similar damage. [2]
  2. 2 Try a tattoo remover cream if you’d rather use a commercial product. There are a number of creams, lotions, and gels on the market that claim to be able to rapidly fade subdermal ink. If you’re not interested in DIY solutions, consider giving one of these products a shot. Keep in mind, however, that there’s no hard evidence that they make much of a difference. [3]
    • Ask your tattoo artist if they have any recommendations for tattoo remover products that do what they’re advertised to do.
    • Tattoo removers often contain harsh chemicals, and could lead to irritation or even permanent scarring if applied regularly or incorrectly. [4]

    Advertisement

  3. 3 Rub your skin lightener of choice onto the tattoo until it’s fully absorbed. Saturate a washcloth, clean sponge, or folded strip of gauze with the liquid, then apply it to directly to your skin. You can do this by either blotting the area or covering the entire tattoo with the cloth, sponge, or gauze, if it’s small enough. What’s important is that the liquid makes contact with every part of the ink. [5]
    • For best results, allow your skin lightener to sit on your skin for 5-10 minutes after applying it.
    • You may need a helping hand if you’re attempting to fade a tattoo on your back or another hard-to-reach spot.

    Tip: Test your lightening agent on a small, out-of-the-way patch of skin before applying it over a larger area to make sure you won’t react negatively to it. [6]

  4. 4 Continue treating your tattoo 3-5 times a day until you see results. Get in the habit of applying your lightening agent at least twice throughout the course of the day—once in the morning and once in the evening. You’ll need to be persistent with your chosen home remedy if it’s to have any effect.
    • Stop using a particular skin lightener if it begins to cause redness, irritation, blistering, or peeling. [7]
    • Even with continual applications, there’s a chance that your tattoo may not lose its vibrancy.
  5. Advertisement

  1. 1 Mix up a basic homemade salt scrub. Combine ½ a cup (100 g) of coarse sea salt with 1 ⁄ 4 – 1 ⁄ 3 cup (59–79 mL) of olive, coconut, or almond oil in a small lidded container. Keep the container with the rest of your hygiene products, on your bedside table, or somewhere else where you’ll see it and remember to use it every day. [8]
    • If you like, you can also add a few drops of fragrant essential oils and some dried botanical elements to your salt scrub. This won’t affect its abrasive properties, but it will make it smell more pleasant. [9]
    • Salt scrubs are natural, easy to make, and highly effective as far as exfoliants go.
  2. 2 Pick up a gentle, vitamin-infused body scrub if you have sensitive skin. If you don’t like the idea of grinding a scratchy salt paste onto your extremities, you also have the option of buying a gentle commercial exfoliant designed specifically to nourish and protect skin. Along with abrasive elements, these products boast vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients as main ingredients. [10]
    • Look for scrubs containing Vitamin C, which is especially good for maintaining soft, clear, glowing skin. [11]
    • Alternatively, you could try making your own nourishing body scrub using things like white or brown sugar, Epsom salts, shea butter, honey, coffee grounds, and aloe vera gel.
  3. 3 Apply a small amount of exfoliant directly to the tattoo. Scoop up a quarter-sized glob of your scrub with two fingers to start with and rub it onto the entire area. Smooth on additional exfoliant as needed to ensure that each part of the tattoo is covered with a thin layer.
    • You may need to use quite a bit of scrub if the tattoo you’re trying to erase is particularly large.
  4. 4 Massage the scrub into the tattoo vigorously using a pumice stone. Rather than trying to work the exfoliant in with your fingers, grab a pumice stone and rub it over the tattoo using small, circular motions. Apply light, steady pressure, and be careful not to scrub too hard. Do this for 30-60 seconds. [12]
    • Before you begin scrubbing, soak your pumice stone in a bowl of warm water. This will help it slide across your skin and cut down on unnecessary resistance. [13]
    • The pumice stone will cover a larger area and provide additional scouring power.

    Tip: The idea is to take off the outermost layer of skin a little at a time. Minor discomfort is normal, but if it hurts, try using a softer touch.

  5. 5 Rinse the area thoroughly with lukewarm water. Hold the exfoliated tattoo under a gentle stream to wash away the accumulated scrub and dead skin. Your skin will likely feel a little raw, so avoid using water that’s too hot, along with soaps or cleansers that might irritate or dry it out even more. [14]
    • It may be easier to hop in the shower if you can’t easily rinse your tattoo under the sink, or if you’re trying to fade multiple pieces at once.
    • If you like, you can apply little moisturizer after exfoliating to soothe and protect your skin. [15]
  6. 6 Repeat your exfoliation routine 2-3 times a day for about a month. In all likelihood, you’ll start to see a noticeable difference after a few weeks. Assuming you don’t, your only remaining option will be to talk to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon about a formal tattoo removal procedure. [16]
    • Discontinue treatment immediately if you experience severe or prolonged skin irritation.
  7. Advertisement

  1. 1 Talk to your dermatologist about a laser removal procedure. Laser removal is the only method that has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of tattoos. During the procedure, specially-trained technicians use concentrated streams of light to break up the ink sitting deep below the surface of the skin. [17]
    • If you want guaranteed, permanent results, it’s highly recommended that you save up your money for a course of laser treatment.
    • While tattoo laser removal is extremely effective, it’s not quick or cheap—a single session can cost as much as $500, and in many cases it can take 2-6 sessions before you start to see a significant difference. [18]
    • Make sure you go to a licensed, reputable laser technician to get a tattoo removed. [19]
  2. 2 Receive a series of chemical peels to erase the tattoo gradually. This type of treatment is sometimes referred to as “chemical resurfacing. ” The way it works is that highly acidic chemicals are applied directly to the top layer of skin, causing it to die. After it sloughs off, the area is given time to heal, eventually leaving behind smooth, clear skin. [20]
    • Chemical peels were the most popular tattoo removal method before the introduction of light-based procedures. Even so, reports vary as to how well they work.
    • These treatments are not without risk. Possible complications include severe chemical burns and permanent scarring. [21]
  3. 3 Undergo surgery to have the tattoo partially removed. With traditional surgery, plastic surgeons actually cut out the layers of skin sitting on top of the embedded ink. The tattoo will no longer be as visible once new skin has grown in its place. [22]
    • Surgery can successfully fade tattoos to some degree, but in many cases surgeons aren’t safely able to cut deep enough to extract the majority of the ink. [23]
    • Like chemical peels it’s possible for a surgical operation to leave scars, bumps, discoloration, and other imperfections.
  4. Advertisement

Add New Question

  • Question How can I make my tattoo fade faster? Grant Lubbock is a Tattoo Artist and Co-Owner of Red Baron Ink, a tattoo salon based in New York City. Grant has over 10 years of tattooing experience and he specializes in neo-traditional, black/grey, and color tattoos. Red Baron Ink’s main goal is for each tattoo coming out of their studio to be one of a kind custom pieces that will look good throughout a lifetime. Tattoo Artist Expert Answer Skip out on applying moisturizing lotions to your tattoo since they can actually prevent tattoos from fading.

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

  • You’re more likely to see a difference in tattoos in high-friction areas, such as your hands, feet, thighs, or the insides of your upper arms. [24]
  • Don’t worry if your tattoo doesn’t disappear altogether—partially-faded tattoos are easier and less expensive to have removed than ones that are still bold.

Advertisement

  • There’s no guarantee that any of the methods described here will be successful. If you want to get rid of a tattoo for good, your best bet is to consult a qualified skin care professional.
  • Ultraviolet light has been shown to help fade tattoos over time. However, it’s not recommended that you spend more time in the sun or tanning bed, as excessive exposure is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.

Advertisement.

Why is my tattoo fading after 3 days?

This is a bit of a trick question. The reason being, is that a tattoo “fades” to the naked eye within days of application. This occurs because as the skin heals, the top layer dies and new skin forms to take its place. During this period the epidermis typically has a faded appearance. However, this is a natural part of the tattoo healing process and as the peeling subsides and the dead skin falls away the design will once again look crisp and fresh.

Still, it won’t have that same deep dark tone as it did when your tattooist put his/her gun away. Anyone who has received a tattoo already knows this. But what you want to know now, is when can you expect a tattoo to fade in the longer term.

Let’s have a look.

Where do tattoos fade the least?

Best: Shoulders & Calves – Since the skin on the shoulders and calves isn’t as affected by aging, tattoos in these areas tend to stay put, Palomino says. Compare this to the areas that tend to see a lot of change over the course of your life, like your abdomen.

How quickly do tattoos fade?

Do Tattoos Also Fade Over Time? – Yes, tattoos do fade over time , and all tattoos eventually do! Here are some other things to note before we get into the details of tattoo fading;

  • Every single tattoo you get will fade over time; some tattoos will start fading after only a couple of years, while others will start fading in your older age.
  • Tattoos done at a young age will start fading in your 40s and 50s, while the tattoos done later in life will take longer to start fading.
  • Aging is one of the essential contributors to tattoo fading.
  • Sun exposure over time contributes to tattoo fading as well.
  • One can prolong the fading by considering some preventative measures and proper aftercare of the tattoo.
  • Cheaper tattoos are more likely to start fading quickly unlike more expensive tattoos.
  • Correcting tattoos when they start fading can be rather expensive.

So, yes, tattoo fading is inevitable and everyone with a tattoo will experience it sooner or later. Apart from aging, one of the main contributors to tattoo fading is sun exposure. Since your skin is a protective layer that shields the body and the organs from the sun, so is it the first to be affected and damaged by it. Even though the skin does heal and manages to regenerate over time, the damage remains.

  1. So, if you do expose your tattoo to the sun frequently, you can expect the tattooed skin to undergo the same damage levels, and as a result, start fading;
  2. Because of sun exposure and related damage, tattooed skin can become blurry, smudged, and overall lose its original appearance and shine;

Another reason why tattoos fade over time lies in weight gain or weight loss. As we grow older, we naturally start gaining weight, which contributes to skin stretching. As the skin stretches, the tattoo stretches as well, which expands the ink and contributes to its fading.

The same goes for weight loss, especially if it follows the weight gain. The skin is stretched as well as the tattoo, and now when the fat is gone, there’s nothing to hold the tattoo and its original shape.

That is why, for example, women who plan on getting pregnant aren’t recommended to do any abdomen tattoos. Even many tattoo artists refuse to do tattoos on teenagers and young adults, as they’re still growing and growth and weight gain can make the tattoo fade prematurely.