Unfortunately, white ink molecules do not hold in place well and require extreme stretching of the skin and heavy applications to be visible. As a result, white ink tattoos over ten years will become distorted and faded. Most end up looking like a scar rather than a piece of artwork.
White ink tattoos can be more prone to fading than traditional black ink tattoos. Typically, they may need to be touched up every 1 to 3 years, depending on various factors such as skin type, placement, exposure to sunlight, and aftercare.
Generally white tattoos don't last long. After healing, white ink tans easily, becoming cream or skin coloured. Larger areas of white fade quickly and become patchy. The more sunlight the tattoo is exposed to, the swifter it will fade. The paler your skin, the less it will show up after healing.
White ink has a thicker consistency. White ink isn't usually being manufactured for outlining work. The thicker consistency makes it harder for artists to achieve clean lines that stay crisp after healing. It can also cause a raised appearance, causing the scarred look.
Fading: White ink tattoos tend to fade faster than traditional black ink tattoos. They may require more touch-ups over time to maintain their appearance. Visibility Issues: On darker skin tones, white ink may not show up as well, sometimes appearing as a very subtle mark rather than a clear design.
Skin Canvas: White tattoos can take on a different life depending on your skin tone. On lighter skin, they offer a subtle look, while on darker skin tones, they can appear more like a cool-toned scar.
Do white tattoos glow in the dark? It's a common misconception that all white ink tattoos glow in the dark or under the black light. White ink on its own will not show up under black light. In order for your tattoo to glow under UV light, UV ink needs to be added to the white ink.
They should be no more raised on the skin than any other ink. They may appear to be more raised as the white ink makes the scar tissue above it more noticeable while darker inks conceal it. Many artists capitalize on this effect to make their designs look 3D or more realistic.
White tattoo ink is often used to create a more delicate look or to add contrast to black ink. It can also help cover up existing tattoos. White ink is more expensive than black ink, and it's also more likely to fade over time. Ultimately, the choice between white and black tattoo ink comes down to personal preference.
Skin Sensitivity:
The process of tattooing involves puncturing the skin, which naturally leads to some level of pain. However, when it comes to white ink, the repeated passes over an already tattooed area and the potential for deeper penetration can irritate the nerve endings more intensely.
It gives it contrasts, depth that a 3D image. Also white on dark skin makes the tattoo vibrant and visible. On the downside white majority of the time fades away because it is not as effective as black ink on the skin.
Artists often note that white tattoos appear reddish during the healing phase due to the body's healing response.
StarBrite Brite White is the ultimate white! Hands down, best white in the Industry! Even artists that use other brands, use this color as their main ink. This white really stands out when applied as highlights, in graywash, and is great for tinting other colors for excellent, gradient blends.
White ink might yellow slightly as it heals. It is translucent, so when the ink is no longer fresh, the skin tone will show through the white. (This can be seen in color tattoos as well, as bright colors tend to show up more intensely on lighter skin.)
"When getting white over black, just be aware that the tattoo will not be as bright as if it were over fresh skin," Will adds. "[White ink on black tattoos] tend to hold together much better over time when the artwork is pretty bold and graphic.
On the other hand, white ink reflects all wavelengths of light and absorbs the least heat, making it much more challenging to treat.
White ink fades very quickly, the general rule is the lighter the pigment the quicker your body can break it down, white is the lightest coloured pigment you can get and the quickest to fade away. White ink can discolor, over the years we have seen white tattoos that have gone yellow, green and grey.
Unfortunately, white ink molecules do not hold in place well and require extreme stretching of the skin and heavy applications to be visible. As a result, white ink tattoos over ten years will become distorted and faded. Most end up looking like a scar rather than a piece of artwork.
A three-inch by three-inch tattoo in black ink will take at least an hour. Larger, more detailed multi-colored tattoos require multiple sessions with the artist and can take anywhere from a few hours to a few months or longer. Each session is typically four to six hours.
White Ink May Look Like a Scar
Depending on the thickness of the lines and the design of the tattoo, people may mistake it for a healed injury. This doesn't have to be a con! Some people like white ink tattoos specifically because they look like old scars.
Tattoo ink rejection is typically due to an allergic reaction to the ink. In such cases, removal or medical attention may be necessary.
UV tattoos were first used for animal identification markers. UV tattoos are sometimes chosen by people who do not want tattoos visible under normal light for professional or social reasons. This style of tattoo has been popular in the raver community because it shows up under blacklight at clubs.
Glodny notes that, for dark skin tones, the likelihood of the white tattoo completely fading away is "much more likely, since the darker skin tone can cover the very light faded white pigment." No matter the skin tone, white ink tends to have more of a 3D effect on the skin.
When skin is exposed to the sun, the UV rays cause a higher production of melanin to protect it from damage, which is how freckles and tanned skin occur, and when white ink is exposed to UV rays, especially while the tattoo is healing, it can distort the color of this very light-colored pigment.