A 30-year-old tattoo isn't going to look as fresh, new, and vibrant as a six-month-old tattoo. Our skin changes as we age, and it's part of nature. Protecting yourself from the elements and taking great care of your skin can work to keep a tattoo (and your skin) looking great for decades to come.
What Happens to Tattoos as You Age?. Part of the series: Tattoo Advice & Business. With age, a tattoo will become lighter, distorted and less vivid depending on sun exposure, medical conditions and everyday wear. Revive an old tattoo by getting it retouched with tips from a tattoo artist in this free video on tatto.
Older tattoos often have a more faded, blurred appearance compared to newer ones. As skin ages, the tattoo ink can spread out and the colors may become less vibrant. Older tattoos may also appear somewhat more raised or textured on the skin.
The ink will usually end up looking a tiny bit darker and less vibrant once healed. Of course, a lot of this will be down to the quality of ink used, and the technique of the artist.
Dealing with Fading and Discoloration in Old Tattoos
One option is to get a touch-up session with a professional artist who specializes in color correction. They can go over the existing tattoo and refresh the colors to make it look vibrant again. Another option is to consider getting a cover-up tattoo.
“Your tattoo will get a bit lighter or slightly thicker depending on how your body heals it,” Kim says. “Go with your artist's suggestion regarding placement, size, and detail. They're the expert and are there to make your tattoo experience as fun, informative, and seamless as possible.
Tattoos may change in appearance if a person loses weight. The amount a tattoo changes after weight loss depends on many factors, such as where the tattoo is, its size, and how quickly the body changes shape. The skin has many functions, and one is that it stretches to accommodate weight changes.
Unfortunately, tiny tattoos may not age well. Tiny tattoos are small and have lots of detail in one concentrated space. These intricate details will be lost with time as your skin changes.
The longevity of a tattoo depends on various factors, including the quality of the ink, the skill of the tattoo artist, and how well you care for your skin art. On average, tattoos can last a lifetime, but it's not uncommon for them to fade over the years.
Tattoo Placements That Age Well
If you're scouting for tattoos for older people, consider a tattoo placement that ages like fine wine. The upper arm, back, and chest are prime real estate. These areas usually face less environmental wear and tear.
For older adults, selecting a location where the skin is less prone to sagging or significant changes over time can help the tattoo maintain its appearance. These areas include: Forearm. Outer arm.
In a study, women rated tattooed men as healthier but not more attractive than men without tattoos. Men viewed tattooed men as more attractive but not healthier than men without tattoos. Women judged men with tattoos as worse potential parents and partners than men without tattoos.
Aftercare & Aging
Fine line tattoos are applied with less ink. While the ink is still embedded in the second layer of skin, the single needle does not penetrate as deeply or deposit as much ink. As a result, it is common for fine line tattoos to fade with age.
Tattoo ink does spread naturally as the skin ages, but the rate depends on several factors. Natural Ink Spread: Over years, pigment particles move slightly, softening lines and blurring details. Thicker skin (back, thighs) spreads less, while thinner skin (wrists, fingers) spreads more.
Delicate Skin Areas
Certain areas of the body, like wrists, ankles, fingers, and toes, are more prone to blowouts due to their thin skin. Aging skin as well as clients with skin trauma/more delicate skin, can also increase the risk of a blowout.
Ink contamination: It is possible for tattoo inks to be contaminated with microorganisms. 7 This can cause symptoms like itching, rash, fever, and pain. Sarcoidosis : This is an inflammatory condition that can sometimes involve the skin. Scar sarcoidosis is an uncommon manifestation that can sometimes occur in tattoos.
Fine line tattoos are said to fade more aggressively than regular tattoos, though both tattoo styles will fade with time, and may need touch-ups. The longevity of your tattoo in either style relies on the location of the tattoo, how well you care for your skin, and the excellence of the tattoo artist you choose.
Ink drift makes the edges of the tattoo hazy and discolored and may fade with time. On the other hand, blowout makes the tattoo blurry, can happen anywhere in the tattoo, and requires professional attention.
Once your tattoo has completely healed, you can start exfoliating (if you aren't sure if your tattoo is completely healed, just ask your tattoo artist). Exfoliating just means polishing off the dead skin cells for the clearest look at the tattoo design underneath the surface.
While some touch-ups are necessary and are often included in the initial price of the tattoo, tattoo artists are not always obliged to do touch-ups for free. It depends on the specific circumstances of the tattoo and the agreement between the artist and the client.
No matter what your reason for suffering from tattoo regret, it doesn't have to be forever. You've got a lot of great options when it comes to dealing with your unwanted ink.