Best advice. Cover it in fabric, SPF the hell out of it when exposed even in mild weather. UV rays not only age the skin but also breaks down ink. Sunscreen is the most valuable long term care product for any tattoo.
1. Keep your tattoo clean and moisturized. Wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap, and be sure to pat it dry with a clean, soft cloth. Then apply a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion to keep it moist. 2. Avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds.
Exposure to Sunlight and UV Rays
Tattoos are made up of pigment particles that reside in the skin. When exposed to sunlight, especially the intense midday UV radiation, these pigments can undergo photochemical degradation.
Dry skin can make a tattoo look blurred or faded. Keeping your skin moisturized is your best bet for a fresh look. While you can buy lotions that are marketed as tattoo lotions, you don't need to spend the extra money. Avoid lotions with additives and fragrances, which can dry out your skin.
Black ink tends to outlast any other color because it is super pigmented. Other darker colors like dark blue, dark green, gray, and dark purple will have a similar lifespan to black ink. Lighter inks like yellows, reds, oranges, whites, and any pastel tones tend to fade a bit more quickly than darker inks.
Moisturize Your Skin Regularly
From fresh ink to older tattoos and general skincare, moisturization is key at every stage. Hydrate your skin with quality, natural ingredients for the best effects while limiting petroleum-based products that can form a waxy layer.
Carefully wash your tattoo area three times a day with soap and water, and gently pat it dry. Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean your tattoo to keep it moist. After 5 days, you can switch from an antibiotic ointment to a gentle fragrance-free body lotion.
Light is the greatest enemy of ink. Not only is writing ink damaged by UV rays, but so are watercolor pigments, pastels, and drawing inks. Therefore, the best way to prevent the fading of ink is to store the document away from all UV exposure.
Lastly, the American Academy of Dermatology states that petroleum-based products can cause the ink to fade. After all the pain and hard work you had to endure to get that beautiful new piece, surely you're not too keen on it just fading from something as simple as petroleum jelly, would you?
Apply proper tattoo lotion twice a day to keep it moisturized, but do not cover it with another bandage. Also, you can gently wash your tattoo with fragrance-free soap or a trusted tattoo soap. A fresh tattoo is technically an open wound. That is why you should avoid open swimming in the ocean and pools until it heals.
According to tattoo artists and skincare experts, you should moisturize a new tattoo three times a day. While this might seem excessive, it's important to remember that your skin is still healing and will be very tender from the process. Moisturize the area: - First thing in the morning.
The immune system plays a crucial role in how tattoos stay in the skin. When the ink enters the dermis, macrophages respond immediately. They engulf the ink particles in an attempt to clear the foreign substance from the body. Interestingly, not all ink particles are removed by the immune system.
After you leave the studio you will have been cleaned and bandaged; remove the bandage after 3-4 hours. Don't remove the bandage until you can properly clean the tattoo with mild soap and warm water.
There are several things you can do to stop your tattoos from fading, including picking a reputable tattoo artist, following a good aftercare regime from the very start, covering up if you're going to be out in the Sun, and using Stories & Ink's tattoo Vibrancy Serum.
Pastel tones and neon shades are most likely to fade, while dark black, blue, and green hues last the longest.
Yellows and Greens with Cadmium
Yellows and bright greens often contain cadmium, which can cause skin irritation and has been associated with other health risks. They also tend to fade or change color over time when exposed to sunlight.
All of the lighter and brighter colours such as pink, yellow, light green/blue etc Will always fade faster than the darker colours, as well as the black and grey ink.
Eternal Ink stands out in the tattoo industry for its vibrant colors and durability. With a dedication to producing long-lasting pigments, Eternal Ink has become a favorite among professional tattoo artists worldwide. The brand offers a wide range of colors, ensuring artists can find the perfect shade for any tattoo.