Over time, cells from your immune system – called macrophages - gradually absorb the tattoo ink and disperse it, which can lead to some tattoo fading. On top of this, factors such as sunlight, friction and improper care of your tattoos can all accelerate the process of aging your skin and/or fading your tattoos.
While the long-term quality of a tattoo has a lot to do with the skill of the tattoo artist, the ink used, the placement, and so on — there are also quite a few mistakes you can make that can ruin your tattoo in the days, weeks, and months following your appointment, that can affect how the art looks years down the ...
You should always follow your artist's aftercare instructions. If the tattoo starts to flake or peel, don't panic. This is a normal part of the healing process, and it usually only lasts through the end of the first week. Just don't pick at it — this can lead to ink fallout and ruin your art.
If a person does not properly care for their tattoo, or if they scratch or pick at it, they may lift and remove ink from the tattoo. This can cause patchy areas and ruin the appearance of the tattoo. Additionally, because the tattoo is an open wound, scratching or picking at it increases the risk of infection.
It may look cloudy, faded, patchy, or even blurred, and this can be concerning when you've just dropped a few hundred on it. At this stage, don't worry. You need to let the tattoo completely heal and settle into your skin, which could take around a month.
Ink is driven deep into the skin by the tattoo needles, but some will be on the surface of the skin, and some others will collect in scabs above the tattoo. It is normal for some of this excess ink to be lost as the body tried to repair the wound that the needles made in your skin.
Not taking extra care of your tattoo can lead to scabbing or scarring. And if you're concerned that dry healing won't work for you, feel free to use a safe, chemical-free moisturizer to prevent any reactions or interactions with your skin or the tattoo ink. If you're really not sure, trust your tattoo artist.
The reason being, is that a tattoo “fades” to the naked eye within days of application. This occurs because as the skin heals, the top layer dies and new skin forms to take its place. During this period the epidermis typically has a faded appearance.
There is no way a little lemon juice will break up the ink. At the very least this will be very painful. Worst case scenarios are that doing this could lead to infection and scarring. There are really only two options for tattoo removal, excision and laser.
Chlorine and salt water are especially hard on fresh tattoos, because both can leach ink from a tattoo, making the color less vibrant. Swimming can also dry out your skin and prolong healing, leading to more itching, flaking, and scabbing. This can also cause fading, patchiness, and blurred lines.
Days 3-7: Dry, Tight, and Starting to Flake
It may feel tight. Swelling should start to subside, though your skin might still feel warm and uncomfortable. By the end of the first week, you will likely see your tattoo flaking. This is also a normal part of the tattoo healing process.
During these first few days, it is normal for your tattoo to feel sore and tender. You may also see redness, swelling, and some mild bleeding. DAYS 3-14 (or until healed): After the first 2-3 days, your tattoo should begin to feel dry and tight.
The statistics jump significantly after that, with 21 percent saying the regret kicked in at about the one-year mark, and 36 percent reporting it took several years before they doubted their decision.
Yes, in fact it's common belief that the more you moisturize your tattoo, the better. But the truth is, that over moisturizing leads to clogged pores and breakouts in your skin. Your tattoo is like an open wound and it will dry out occasionally, however, do not over moisturize in an attempt to keep it from drying out.
Scabbing is a healthy part of the healing process, but picking or scratching at the scab can delay the healing process and may affect the integrity of the tattoo or result in scarring.
My tattoo looks like it's fading. Is that normal? A tattoo is VERY bright when it is first completed but during the healing process, it starts to look discolored and dull. Don't worry, when the tattoo is finished healing, the color will come back.
Stretching and sweating
When you work out, your muscles stretch your skin and you sweat. Pulling the skin and excessively sweating in the area of your tattoo can interrupt the healing process.
The rule of thumb is to moisturize your new tattoo at least 2-3 times per day for the first two weeks (or until the healing process is complete). Many tattoo enthusiasts continue to moisturize their tattoos every day! As for what type of moisturizer to use, lotion is generally the best.
Many reputable artists will guarantee their work and throw in a touch-up free of charge. However, doing without proper aftercare can void your “warranty.” If you're neglecting your tattoo against your artist's recommendation, you'll likely have to shoulder the price of a touch-up yourself.
You need to be aware of keeping your tattoo clean and dry while it is fresh, so a night out might not be the best option. It's generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours after your new tattoo before you start drinking alcohol again.
Chances are, you're experiencing a tattoo blowout. A tattoo blowout can occur when a tattoo artist injects ink too deeply into your skin beyond the top layer and into the fat below. In this fat layer, ink moves beyond the lines of your tattoo. This creates a distorted image.