Tattoo touch-ups can only take place once your tattoo is fully healed (anywhere between 4 weeks to 6 months). Touching up a tattoo before it has had the chance to heal will only aggravate and further implicate the artwork. Touch-ups have the same healing protocol as initial tattoos.
It's generally recommended to wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after getting a tattoo touched up before adding any new work. This allows the skin to heal properly and ensures that the original tattoo's colors and lines are stable.
Yes, you have to let the skin fully heal first otherwise you risk the touch up not taking and scarring. Skin takes a minimum of 6-8 weeks to heal after tattooing.
Tattoo artists generally offer free touch ups so it shouldn't be an issue to contact them. However, how your body reacts to ink and how you heal from being tattooed isn't something that they can control. Call the artist and speak with them.
Touch-ups are fairly common, and needing or wanting a touch-up isn't a bad thing at all. Even experienced artists do touch-ups on their work. Once a tattoo is fully healed, everyone can see what it looks like much better, and it's easier to tell if it needs a little extra oomph.
Most of the time, your first touch-up is free within the first year. However, this depends on the tattoo artist or the shop. Following that initial touch-up, you can expect to pay a fixed hourly rate for any additional work done to your tattoos. Usually, the cost is between $50 to $150 per hour for touch-ups.
Over the years, as skin ages and loses elasticity, older tattoos may blur or lose their initial clarity. In these cases, tattoo touch-up can be a valuable procedure to help rejuvenate the design, sharpen blurry lines, and reinvigorate dull colors.
When it comes to tattoo touch-up appointments, the general rule of thumb is yes, you should tip for the extra work required. Showing appreciation for the additional effort illustrates your understanding of the artist's commitment to ensuring your tattoo looks its best.
You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.
A fine line tattoo will not always need a touch up directly after it heals, but we recommend coming back 6-8 weeks after the session so that your artist can assess if one is needed. Placement and design will play a part in the longevity of your fine line tattoo.
As with tipping waitstaff, 20-25% percent is a good standard. An easy way to include tipping in your budget is to add it in when getting the estimated costs for having your work done. So, if your tattoo is expected to cost $200, with a 20-percent tip, that's $240.
While it is healing, NEVER touch your tattoo without first washing your hands with a mild, liquid antibacterial soap. Initially, leave your bandage on for 1-3 hours. After removing the bandage in a clean environment, gently wash the tattooed area with warm water and an antibacterial soap. Do not scrub.
You'll want to begin soon after you get the tattoo done and continue moisturizing the skin three to six times a day for about three weeks. In addition, wash the tattoo once or twice a day, avoid direct sunlight, and save that ocean dip for after it's healed.
You should continue washing your tattoo until it is fully healed. It is considered fully healed when all scabs have fallen off, and the skin has regenerated and closed up. This process generally takes between 2 to 4 weeks.
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.
How much is a tattoo touch up cost? The answer, of course, depends on the artist and the size of the tattoo. However, touch ups typically start at around $50 and can go up from there. So, if you're looking to keep your ink looking fresh, be prepared to spend a little extra cash.
Things like materials, size, location, and type of tattoo affect general tattoo prices. On average you can expect to charge $50-100 for a small tattoo, up to $200 for a medium tattoo and over $250 for a large tattoo. The sky is the limit though when it comes to very large pieces.
After an initial tattoo appointment, most artists will advise you to return for a touch-up within the first year. The initial tattoo touch-up will check and correct any imperfections that were caused in the healing process, and it is usually included in your initial appointment as a complimentary service.
Tattoo retouch can be done as soon as the tattoo has healed, but it's best to wait at least a few weeks to give the tattoo time to settle. The tattoo artist usually knows how long you should wait before getting a tattoo retouch.