Your skin ages, and tattoos age with it. But tattoo ageing also has natural causes, as the body gradually breaks down the ink. With the right care, you can counteract tattoo ageing.
Tattoo ageing has various causes. We explain why tattoos age and what you can do about it. Interesting: It's better to follow some anti-ageing tips for your tattoo before you get it!
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Tattoo aging explained briefly and concisely
Tattoos change their appearance over the years. And this is what we call tattoo ageing. The tattoo may fade, in which case we speak of fading. The term comes from the English, "to fade" means "to fade" or "to disappear". Blurring or blow-out is when the sharpness of your tattoo's contours diminishes.
The causes of these changes are complex. On the one hand, there is the natural ageing process of the skin, which also ages the tattoo. UV rays and friction are also the strongest factors for tattoo ageing. You don't have to accept tattoo ageing just like that. With a good care routine and a few simple rules of conduct, you can slow down the process considerably.
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Tattoo aging varies depending on the body part
Tattoos age at different rates and to different degrees, depending on the area of the body. Premature tattoo ageing mainly affects tattoos that are located on areas of skin that are frequently rubbed by clothing. The colors also fade faster where the skin is stretched more frequently. These areas of the body are particularly affected:
- Hands
- Fingers
- Arms and especially elbows
- Wrists
You wash your fingers and hands frequently, dry them and touch objects. All this means friction. Your wrists are in the cuffs of your sleeves, which also rub. And firstly, the elbows are often supported and secondly, the skin here is moved a lot every time you bend and stretch. The same applies to the other joints.
You probably know quite well yourself where clothing rubs against your body, which parts of your body are more frequently exposed to the sun and how you move. Choose the area of your body for your tattoo so that the stress is not too great. Talk to your tattoo artist if you want to find out more! They can help you find the right spot for your desired design.
Tattoos for different parts of the body: Please note!
As you get older, your skin loses more and more of its elasticity. The skin hangs a little, appears to be "too big" for your body and becomes more wrinkled. This changes the contours of your tattoo.
These changes are particularly pronounced in areas of the body that are affected by weight changes. If you build up noticeable muscles or lose your muscle mass, the skin and therefore your tattoo will also change. In women, pregnancy and breastfeeding cause changes to the skin and tattoos. Tattoo ageing caused by skin ageing is particularly noticeable on these areas of the body:
- Belly
- Chest
- Upper arms
- Waist
- Po
Other parts of the body are significantly less affected by signs of ageing skin. This includes the region around the collarbone, but also the forearm and the back. The neck is a particularly beautiful area: Here, the skin does not lose its elasticity with age.
Light promotes tattoo ageing
Why does the skin actually age and lose its elasticity? The mechanisms behind this are not yet fully understood. However, UV radiation is an important factor. It causes skin cells to age prematurely and robs them of their ability to regenerate. And tattoo ageing is closely linked to this. You may be familiar with this: if the garden furniture is left outside for a summer, the colors look different afterwards. It is paler, lacks luminosity. This is due to UV radiation, which causes colors to fade. It also diminishes the brilliance and luminosity of tattoos.
Tattoo inks are pigments. And these pigments react sensitively to light and especially UV rays. Red tattoo inks fade particularly quickly. The pigments are split photochemically by UV radiation. As a result, the pigmentation is less concentrated and the color brilliance of your tattoo is lost.
Under the influence of UV radiation, your skin produces more collagenases. These enzymes break down the skin's collagen fiber network. They therefore weaken the skin and make it less elastic. The skin also becomes drier due to the high exposure to light. Dry, rough skin makes tattoos look even paler.
Our tip: Use a high sun protection factor (50+) when you go out in the sun or enjoy the solarium. Sun protection not only protects your skin, but also your tattoo.
Care helps against tattoo ageing right from the start
Even during the healing phase, your tattoo needs care, so trust your body's self-healing powers and protect your tattoo with a breathable plaster in the first few days after getting it. It is normal for some tattoo ink to be washed out with the wound secretion. This is why the tattoo will appear paler than immediately after it has been pierced.
From the fourth day after the sting, special creams support further healing. Above all, it is important that the skin and scab remain moist and do not tear. This allows your tattoo to heal without scarring. The color pigments remain intense and fiery for a long time. Once your tattoo has healed completely, treat it with a special care product for tattooed skin. This is the most effective care against tattoo ageing!
Blurred contours? You can do that!
If your tattoo is still new and has just been engraved, it is normal for the contours to look a little blurred. Don't worry - it only looks like that! There are tiny bruises, swelling and redness in the skin around the tattoo. This all makes your tattoo look blurred. As soon as the tattoo has healed, the contours will become clear. And if you pamper your skin with moisturizer, they will stay that way for a lifetime.
Note: Very fine tattoos, minimalist tattoos for example, dots and fine linework, but also floral patterns and delicate lettering are more affected by tattoo blurring than other tattoos. This is completely normal and has nothing to do with the quality of the tattoo.
Last option: Have them re-stitched.
It is completely normal for tattoos to lose their color over time. The skin heals, some of the pigment is flushed out with the wound fluid and the skin ages. If you no longer like your tattoo at all or it is barely recognizable, you can have it re-stitched. However, this should not be done for at least six weeks after getting the tattoo. You should definitely wait that long, because only then will the healing process be complete. If your tattoo is still too pale, a little more color can help.
Despite re-engraving, high-quality work and a lot of effort on the part of your tattoo artist, your tattoo will eventually become paler. Take care of it daily with special creams and lotions for tattooed skin. This way you can prevent premature tattoo aging and keep the colors brilliant for longer.