My tattoo is fading - What do I do now?

Why Tattoos Fade:

When you get a tattoo, ink is injected into a layer of skin known as the dermis. Over time, the body's immune cells, called macrophages, gradually absorb tattoo ink and spread it out. Unfortunately, this process can lead to the fading of some tattoos.

Additionally, external factors such as sunlight, friction, and improper tattoo care can accelerate the fading of your tattoos.

In this article, we will explore the various factors that contribute to tattoo fading together. With this knowledge fresh in mind, you will be better equipped to preserve the vitality of your skin and the sharpness of your tattoos in the years to come. Whether you love realism, micro-realism, hyper-realism, color tattoos, or flower tattoos from some of Norway's best tattoo artists, we have the advice you need to preserve the artwork on your body.

First-Time Care Mistakes and Their Consequences for Your Tattoo:
The first hours and days after getting a tattoo are undoubtedly the most critical. It may seem obvious to many, but this is the period when your skin truly reacts to the newly inflicted "wound" created by a needle piercing you up to 3000 times per minute. (It sounds scarier than it is.) How your skin reacts to this stress can have a lasting impact on the appearance of your tattoo.

Therefore, a solid skincare regimen for your new tattoo is essential. In fact, improper care during this early stage of the tattoo's life can result in deformed and faded tattoos.

But the most important thing to remember is to keep it clean. This may involve keeping the protective plastic on for 3-5 days and then gently washing the tattoo with the right soap and water. Afterwards, you should dry the skin without rubbing it to prevent irritation.

In the following days, it's important to continue keeping the tattoo clean and moisturized. While regular application of appropriate moisturizer is important, you should be careful not to overdo it. Excessive use can result in soft scabs, which is not ideal.

We recommend products that are natural, unscented, and specially formulated for tattoo care, as they are usually gentle on your skin. In fact, scented products have been documented to cause scarring and premature fading of tattoos, so it's best to avoid them to be on the safe side. Our tattoo artists and staff always provide you with the best advice on how to take care of your fresh tattoo. In addition, we always use state-of-the-art tattoo equipment, tattoo ink that follows all regulations and rules, aftercare forms, and the very best aftercare equipment here at Masterpiece Tattoo.

Why Tattoos Fade During the Healing Process:
Between two and four weeks after getting a new tattoo, when your tattoo begins to develop scabs and flakes, you may notice that it appears more faded and dull than you expected. But don't worry, this part of the process is entirely natural.

This phenomenon occurs because the old, damaged skin affected during the tattoo process forms a thin layer over your tattoo, hiding its true brilliance. Over time, this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself and reveal the tattoo in all its vibrant glory.

The Importance of a Solid General Skincare Routine:
The question of whether a general skincare routine is important is often one of the most common concerns in our industry. When it comes to tattoo care specifically, the answer is a resounding "yes."

Having a dedicated skincare routine is crucial to maintaining the beauty of your tattoo. This involves more than just sporadic application of moisturizer (although this is important – more on that below).

Some of the most common sins against your own skin include: Lack of hydration: Regular water intake has countless health benefits, including preventing dehydration, reducing headaches, improving concentration, and mood. For your skin, inadequate hydration can result in dryness, wrinkles, and flaky skin. Recommended fluid intake varies depending on individual factors, but generally, adults should drink a minimum of four to six cups of water per day. Lack of sunscreen: All tattoos exposed to sunlight are at risk of fading, especially during the healing period when the skin is extra sensitive to UV rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and can break down tattoo ink, while UVB rays cause sunburn. A sunburned new tattoo can prolong the healing process and distort the tattoo's lines and colors. Therefore, it's important to protect the tattoo with a waterproof sunscreen (SPF 30+) after it has healed. A sunbed trip to Granca right after a tattoo session with us is a big no-no!

Lack of moisture: Keeping the skin properly moisturized is crucial for maintaining vibrant tattoos. For best results, a specialized moisturizer is recommended, such as our TATTOOMED After tattoo cream. It provides daily damage control for healed tattoos, tightens and smoothes the skin, intensifies the ink, and protects against discoloration with UVA/UVB filters while helping to protect the skin from sun damage.

So, by taking care of your general skin health, you can simultaneously ensure that your tattoos remain brilliant in the years to come.

The Impact of Location on Tattoo Fading:
Some areas of your body are more prone to tattoo fading than others. Tattoos on hands, feet, elbows, armpits, and the inside of arms are especially vulnerable. This is due to a simple factor: friction. For example, tattoos on the feet fade faster due to constant rubbing from socks and shoes. On the other hand, we frequently use our hands, especially the palms that come into contact with objects throughout the day. Although the skin here is thick, there is little fat or muscle underneath, which causes tattoos in these areas to fade faster. Some less obvious areas that may also be prone to fading include parts of the legs and shoulders.

Again, this is due to friction, so it's worth considering how you can avoid excessive rubbing of your new tattoo against clothing.

People who wear tight pants may experience increased friction against the tattoo. Bags carried over the shoulder can also cause rubbing. Collars can rub against neck tattoos. So, even though this may not be your primary concern when choosing a tattoo location, you should consider it as a factor to avoid future fading. During the healing process, it's also best to wear loose clothing to reduce friction.

Sweat and Tattoos: A Delicate Balance
Sweating is a necessary function in the human body to regulate temperature and cleanse pores. However, sweating can pose some challenges when it comes to fresh tattoos.

Can sweat ruin a fresh tattoo?
After getting a new tattoo, the artist will usually advise you to avoid intensive exercise for at least 48 hours. This is because immune defense cells known as macrophages phagocytize help to remove ink from the skin's cytoplasm during the healing process. But excessive sweating can inhibit this process, potentially leading to blurry or discolored tattoos.

Therefore, you should avoid vigorous exercise in the days after getting a fresh tattoo. It may also be wise to avoid gyms, as gym equipment can be a source of bacteria, which is not beneficial for a new tattoo.

How long after a tattoo can you sweat?
It's best to wait at least 48 hours before engaging in any activity that makes you sweat heavily, and you may need to wait longer depending on advice from your tattoo artist. It generally takes between two and four weeks for a tattoo to fully heal, but because the healing process varies from person to person, you should keep an eye on how your tattoo develops rather than relying on strict guidelines.

Ink Quality and Tattoo Fading
The quality of tattoo ink plays a significant role in how your tattoo holds up over time, especially in terms of fading.

High-quality tattoo ink should remain vivid and retain its color intensity for many years. On the other hand, cheaper brands will use less concentrated pigments, resulting in faster fading, perhaps within the first year. Since the quality differences between brands can be significant, you should rely on professionals when it comes to choosing and purchasing tattoo ink.

Avoiding home tattoo kits is also wise. Such kits may use low-quality ink and may even contain infection-causing bacteria.