In the following paragraphs, we’ll take a look at how tattoos change over time if they fade, and there are some tips you can use to prevent abrupt changes in tattoos. Hopefully, you now know most of the most important factors contributing to tattoo fading, and by following a few of the steps above, you can ensure that your tattoo stays beautiful for years to come.

A permanent tattoo will fade. All tattoos fade, and this is unavoidable. However, the fading of a permanent tattoo can be lessened. This can be done by keeping it away from sunlight, receiving one with dark ink, and placing it somewhere other than the legs.

Over the years, you may be able to touch up ink or allow fading to become a new aesthetic, but it’s important to understand how your habits affect the longevity of your tattoo.

General Guidelines for Fading Tattoos

Colored tattoos tend to fade faster, especially the lighter parts and watercolors due to the technique used. Black and gray tattoos tend to last longer in terms of brightness, but will fade over time. Every tattoo you get will fade over time; some tattoos will start to fade in just a couple of years, while others will start to fade in old age.

Taking proper care and maintenance of ink can slow this process down significantly, but we won’t lie and say that your tattoo will never fade. By trying to avoid the factors listed above, you can prevent the tattoo from fading as much as possible, but you must be prepared that nothing will stop your tattoo from fading slightly as it naturally ages (and your skin also ages naturally).

But taking care of yourself and your health will prevent the tattoo from fading even with age, because the skin will stay elastic longer. Since your body has already cleared some of the ink from the old tattoo, you will need fewer procedures to completely erase the tattoo that you have had for many years.

Conversely, a new bright tattoo that is less than a year old will be more difficult to heal. As a result, professional tattoo removal usually requires multiple procedures. Because of this, arm and leg tattoos can take longer than chest designs.

Likewise, if you are tattooing in an area that usually rubs against something else (like tight-fitting clothing), that tattoo will usually fade faster. Tattoos in areas where blood flow is weakest, such as the feet and hands, will take longer to fade. Areas with thin skin and insufficient circulation due to peripheral placement, such as feet and hands, are more likely to fade the tattoo.

How Long to Wait Before Tattoos Start Fading

Tattoos usually fade within a few days of being applied as the epidermis adapts to the pigments and creates a new layer of skin. As your body sheds the ink fragments, the tattoo will gradually fade and become less visible. The time it takes for a tattoo to fade depends on the size and intensity of the ink used.

If your tattoo is suitable for fading tattoo removal and there are no other health concerns, you will be assigned your first treatment and given instructions on how to prepare for it.

Laser treatment will break down the ink that was used to create the tattoo. The pigments in the ink degrade over time as the skin stretches, making the tattoo look faded. Like color tattoos, black and gray tattoos will fade over time if you don’t take care of your body art over the years. Any damage, such as infection or ink removal, that occurs in the first few weeks and months after applying new ink will make your tattoo more prone to fading over time.

Regularly rubbing the layers of skin from the tattoo will not keep it fresh and may speed it up. Removing crusts or pieces of scaly skin is likely to result in blemishes and fading on the tattoo. Any redness or pain should go away the day after the tattoo procedure as the skin begins the healing process and filters out particles.

Finally, remember that ink color is also important when it comes to how quickly your tattoo will fade. Over time, overexposure to sunlight will cause the tattoo to fade regardless of the colors used. Thus, if you frequently expose your tattoo to the sun, you can expect the tattooed skin to suffer the same damage and, as a result, begin to fade.

Exposure to Sunlight Can Damage Other Aesthetic Attempts as Well

Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays will also tarnish your cosmetic makeup. While most of the fun with tattoos lies in your creative freedom, keep in mind that there are certain areas of your body that will be more receptive to sunlight, which will cause your tattoo to fade faster. Also, your tattoos can fade or blur in an unattractive way.

When using poor quality ink, a faded tattoo is one of the best results, but it still deserves attention. But you may not know that tattoos on areas that are prone to rubbing are more likely to fade. Think about how often your tattoo rubs over time, whether it’s skin-to-skin contact or skin-to-material contact, as in the socks example.

Your tattoo artist can use the highest quality ink or do a flawless job, but if the tattoo is placed where it will rub against something or be constantly exposed to the sun, it will fade quickly. So any stain on the body that promotes high friction is bound to cause the tattoo to fade, no matter how well done or how good the ink is.

Some Tips for Avoiding Tattoo Fade

The reason tattoos on legs are more prone to fading is because we constantly rub them with socks and shoes. Some tattoo artists will say that they tattoo ink so easily that it doesn’t become permanent.

However, if you only get into the first layer of skin (if it is not for the magic precision, this requires surgery), the ink may actually fade, but it will not fade evenly, and it will never disappear completely. If you go this way, you will be left with half of the ugly ink tattoos, which appear to be applied randomly.

Otjuy explained that most inks used in semi-permanent makeup will fade over time, but there are several reasons why the ink lasts much longer than expected. Inferior ink will affect the life of the tattoo and cause the color to fade faster.

Make an appointment with an Adrenaline Studios near you to get a quality tattoo that is much less likely to fade. Alternatively, if your current tattoo is already starting to fade, come visit us to have it retouched or possibly masked with better quality ink.

Quality ink and art will only benefit you and your tattoo in the long run. A professional will make your tattoo sterile and safe, and the results will be more attractive and accurate.