Tattoos are made to last a lifetime…but they do fade a bit overtime. Why is that? In this article, we’ll take a look at the four biggest contributors to tattoo fading:
- The initial healing process
- Our immune system’s response
- Aging
- Sun Exposure
By the end of this article, you’ll understand what causes a tattoo to fade and how to slow the process so your ink stays looking its best.
Why Tattoos Fade
Any time a tattoo fades, it’s because the ink has been broken down and removed from the skin, whether through the body’s natural processes or an outside source, like sunlight.
1. Initial Healing
Tattoos generally look their best right when they’re fresh. This is when their colors will be the most vibrant.
During the initial healing process (that first week or two), some of the ink is naturally going to fall out. Some of the ink is going to leak out alongside plasma right after getting a tattoo.
Additionally, tattoo ink tends to heal up lighter. For example, gray wash in a tattoo is going to heal 30% lighter. (So if your black and gray tattoo looks a little dark on the day you get it, don’t panic. It’s going to lighten up.)
However, your ink should not fade so heavily that it disappears. If that happens, it’s likely the artist didn’t go deep enough into the skin with the needle. If ink is deposited in the top layer of the skin as opposed to the middle layer, it might disappear as your skin generates new cells and you shed old skin cells.
2. The Body’s Natural Defense System
Our bodies naturally try to break down and dispose of foreign substances. Because of this, immune cells will try to attack and break down the ink particles lodged in the skin.
For the most part, tattoo ink particles are too large for the body to properly break them down. (That’s why tattoos are permanent.) But not all particles will be like that. Some of the ink will be broken down and carried away by the lymphatic system to the lymph nodes.
Because some of the ink is effectively being “removed,” the tattoo will begin to lighten up.
3. Skin Aging
Skin tends to lose elasticity over time. Just like blowing up a balloon makes its color lighter (because the surface area is stretched), a design on the skin might look faded as the skin loses elasticity and warps the tattoo.
High friction areas that are regularly exposed to movement and wear and tear, like the hands, see this fading process go faster.
4. Sun Exposure
UV light from sun exposure can break up the ink pigment in the skin (making it easier for the immune system to carry it away). This is why it is so important to stay out of the sun while a tattoo is still going through the initial healing process.
Tattoo laser removal uses a similar process (though it uses other types of light energy, not UV light, which can be harmful to the skin).
How to Prevent Tattoo Fading
Some fading is inevitable, but there are ways to slow the process and keep your tattoo looking fresh longer.
1. Don’t Pick at the Tattoo While It’s Healing
While tattoos are healing, they can scab up and become itchy. In this case, it’s important to not pick at the skin while it’s healing, as this can cause ink to fall out of the skin, creating patchiness in the shading or color of your tattoo.
Not picking at scabs can also help prevent infection, which is extremely important during the healing phase. Staying away from public gyms and pools during the healing process will also help prevent infection.
Pro Tip: Some itchiness after a tattoo is normal. However, if your tattoo is hot or the skin is still red after the initial sensitivity of actually getting the tattoo wears off, go to the doctor. An infected tattoo will need antibiotics to heal and experiencing extreme pain after your tattoo is not normal.
2. Hydration and Lotion
Helping your skin maintain its elasticity over time by staying hydrated and applying lotion on a regular basis will prevent skin’s aging from affecting your tattoo.
3. Sunscreen
Regularly wearing sunscreen or keeping your tattoo covered in the sun (clothing, hats, etc.) will keep UV rays from reaching and affecting your tattoo.
It is extra important to protect your tattoo from the sun during the initial healing process.
4. Choose a design resistant to fading
You might hear tattoo artists say “Bold Will Hold” when it comes to creating a tattoo design. This is because a design with thicker lines and plenty of shading create lots of contrast in your tattoo. Heavy contrast is what keeps a tattoo “readable” over time, even as it fades.
Some designs, like watercolor tattoos, might fade faster because the colors used tend to be lighter, creating less contrast.
5. Get Touch Ups
Getting frequent enough touch ups can make sure your tattoo stays vibrant and bold. With certain styles, like fine-line, more touch ups might be needed.
Final Thoughts
Tattoos are permanent, but it’s natural for a tattoo to fade a bit over time. Things like the healing process, your body’s immune response to foreign substances in the body, aging, and sun exposure can all contribute to a tattoo fading throughout the years.
Doing what you can to protect your skin like staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, and choosing a design that’s built to stand the test of time can help you go longer between touch up appointments while maintaining a bold tattoo for decades.