Tattooing has been around for as long as humans have roamed the planet (do not quote me on that..) and as we have fired our way into the 20th century, the quality of tattoos has vastly increased as technology continues to advance.
As much as the quality of tattoo’s has vastly increased – we as humans haven’t really changed much in regard to our physical being. As we get older, our bodies do slowly start to deteriorate (yay) and the same can be said with tattoos and how they can age. A lot of factors can come into play for how well or terrible your tattoo will age over time – the good news is, we can control a lot of these factors to make sure your tattoos look prim and proper, all the way up to the day of the big sleep.
Let’s have a look into how tattoos age and what we can do to minimise them.
Factors Influencing Tattoo ageing
There are a few areas to become familiar with that will affect your tattoo in the early stages, so be sure to pay attention in this section.
Skin Type
This is an area that can’t really be controlled, as you don’t exactly have a choice in the matter of skin type and quality. Some people have naturally oily skin, while others have naturally dry skin. To set yourself up for success before your tattoo appointment, have a discussion with your artist about your skin type and how best to approach the aftercare of your tattoo.
Ink Quality
High-quality inks tend to retain their colour better over time. Here at The Hangout Studio, we pride ourselves in using high quality inks, such as Solid Ink, Eternal Ink, Dynamic Ink and World Famous Ink.
Tattoo Placement
Areas that tend to be exposed to more friction (like hands or feet), or constant movement (like joints) can cause tattoos to fade more quickly, this is due to the skin in these areas needing to regenerate more compared to areas that deal with less exposure, like the chest, for example.
Sun Exposure
This is a big one and something that has affected some of my tattoos as I’ve been pretty reckless with leaving my tattooed areas exposed to too much sunlight. You’d think at 33 years old I’d have gotten better at protecting my tattoos, and I have, but that doesn’t change the irreversible damage done to some of my pieces due to sun exposure. So if there’s anything to take away from this, please make this a priority as UV rays break down the ink particles, causing fading and blurring.
If you have any deep blacks in your tattoos, you’ll actually notice the heat absorption from the sun in comparison to non-tattooed areas.
Aftercare
Adhering to proper aftercare guidelines is also crucial to make sure you set yourself up for a great healing process that keeps the vibrancy of your new tattoo alive. The first few weeks are the most important to pay attention to, as this will be the deciding factor for how your healed tattoo will sit on your skin.
For example – DON’T PICK AT ANY SCABBING IF IT HAPPENS!! This can easily open you up to getting an infection, as well as leaving blank patches in your tattoo.
Initial Healing Phase
The first stage of a finished tattoo’s lifespan is the healing phase, which typically lasts 2-4 weeks, depending on the amount of trauma that has been done to the skin. During this time, the tattooed area might be red, swollen and a little scabby.
Correct care during this period is essential to prevent infection and ensure the ink sets in the skin correctly. Be sure to follow your tattoo artist’s aftercare instructions meticulously to promote optimal healing.|
Changes In The First Year
In the first year, you might notice little changes and variations in your tattoo.
Fading
A slight fading is completely normal as the skin heals and the top layers of epidermis regenerate due to the trauma it has endured.
Blurring
Some fine lines may begin to blur slightly as the ink settles into the skin. This can also depend on the area you have been tattooed, and how fleshy/bony that area is.
Long-Term Ageing (5-10 years time)
This is a conversation we tend to have with our clients quite often. We always want to stress that we want your tattoo to look equally as awesome 10 years down the line, so we take into consideration how your tattoo is going to age over time as this is when more noticeable changes will occur.
Blurring and Spreading
The ink can spread slightly over time, causing fine lines to blue or thicken, as well as edges losing their sharpness. This is more common in areas with thinner skin or higher friction.
Skin Changes
Naturally as we age, our skin ages too, and yes… it sucks. As we age, our skin loses elasticity and can sag, which may distort the tattoo. Extreme weight fluctuations over short time frames can also affect the appearance of the tattoo. So at times in your life where you may be wanting to gain weight or lose weight, make sure it’s done in a slow and steady fashion to make sure you don’t end up with warped tattoos.
Continued Fading
As life goes on, your skin will naturally be exposed to more and more sunlight as well as natural skin exfoliation. These factors will continue to cause tattoos to fade. Darker inks like black and navy blue tend to last longer than lighter colours like yellows or whites.
Ageing over Decades
Decades down the line, your tattoo will continue to evolve with you and there are some areas to take into consideration as time goes on.
Distortion
Natural ageing processes, like skin wrinkling and sagging (unfortunately, the inevitability of growing old) can distort the tattoo, particularly if it was placed on an area prone to these changes.
Colour Changes
Some colours may change hue slightly over time, particularly with lighter colours. Red’s can become more pinkish and blues can become a bit more muted. This can also depend on the quality of ink that’s been used, as well as how saturated the coloured areas of your tattoo are.
Significant Fading
As the decades go by, your tattoos will start to noticeably fade, especially if you’ve not cared for your tattoo properly, or frequently exposed it to the sun. So keep this in mind if you’re a beach bum and like the leather purse look.
General Tips for Preserving Your Tattoo
We also have a few tips for you to keep your tattoos looking as fresh as they can over your lifespan:
Sun Protection
It’s recommended to use a higher SPF sunscreen on your tattooed areas whenever they are exposed to the sun. You’ll feel it yourself if you’re out in the sun, as the tattooed areas of your skin will feel noticeably warmer than your un-tattooed areas.
Moisturise
Keep your skin hydrated to maintain its elasticity and overall health. This is also recommended for your skin in general, whether tattooed or not. Nobody likes a dry flakey flakerson when it comes to skin care.
Avoid Friction
Try to minimise friction on the tattooed area (we know this isn’t always possible), as this can cause the ink to spread and blur.
Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy diet in life is recommended anyway, regardless of your tattoos. If you spend your life eating burgers and pizzas, your skin is not going to thank you for it. Eating well, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking can all contribute to better skin health and slower ageing.
Touch-Ups
Something that’s always worth keeping in mind as time goes on. Touch-ups every couple of years can be great to keep your tattoo nice and fresh. There’s always the option of a cover up too, if you get to the point where touch-ups won’t be able to save your piece.
Conclusion
Tattoos are a beautiful form of art that evolve with you over time. While some fading and changes are inevitable and things you just have to deal with, we hope this article has provided some additional understanding for what may happen in the future and the factors that can contribute to preserving your tattoos the best you can. Remember to embrace the journey of your tattoo as it ages as there’s only so much you can do when it comes to art being transferred to a living, breathing canvas.
Drop by our studio for a free consultation to discuss your ideas and we’ll also provide you with some in-person advice to help with finalising your decision on your tattoo choice and placement.
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