And because the ink is a foreign invader, the macrophage cells gobble it up to try to get rid of it. But instead, those macrophage cells with bellies full of ink get stuck in the gel-like matrix of the dermis. And they stay there pretty much forever, which is why the tattoo stays visible and permanent.
A tattoo that is poorly maintained can begin to experience some very slight fading after the first year. A tattoo that receives the appropriate care may not experience noticeable fading for many years – even a decade! The standard falls somewhere in the middle of that.
Permanent tattoos, as the name suggests, are meant to be permanent. But alas, all tattoos will fade as the years go by, without exception, says Lorena Lorenzo, a Toronto-based tattoo artist. However, there are certain factors that'll make your tattoo fade faster, like sun exposure and friction, Lorenzo adds.
Not only will proper aftercare protect your tattoo from infection, but the right long-term care will ensure it stays looking its best. The thing is, while tattoos theoretically last forever, they can fade over time.
It's nothing to worry about and is to be expected while the body is trying hard to repair the area. Stabbing the skin thousands of times with tiny needles causes trauma, killing the top layer of skin. As your body hangs on to this skin for a while, it can give the tattoo a faded or dull appearance.
After the first 2-3 days, your tattoo should begin to feel dry and tight. At this point DISCONTINUE APPLYING OINTMENT AND SWITCH TO REGULAR FRAGRANCE-FREE HAND LOTION such as Eucerin, Lubriderm, Curel, or any other over the counter mild "Fragrance Free" moisterizer.
Sometime between two to four weeks after getting a new tattoo – when your tattoo scabs and/or peels - your new ink may appear more faded and duller than expected. Don't worry, this is completely natural.
Normally, your immune system works to remove foreign particles from your body, but ink particles are too big for your immune system to remove, which is why they're permanent. Tattoo removal can be a complex process that can take several sessions to complete.
No, tattoos do not take years off your life. There was a study done in 2014 that did suggest that people with tattoos, on average, have a shorter lifespan. Obviously, there are millions of variables that go into a study like that, but the takeaway is that tattoo-havers also tend to be higher on the risk-taking chart.
The sun's UV rays (particularly UVA rays) promote the formation of free radicals, which break down tattoo pigment injected into the dermis (middle layer of skin) to diminish. These negative effects of UV rays diminish the tattoo's vibrancy and accelerate ink fading. Sunlight also is a leading cause of skin aging.
"After it has healed (which can take up to 6 weeks depending on the type and size of tattoo), regular sun cream should be fine," says Hayes. “If you want to keep the colour vibrant, use a high SPF.” Don't apply irritants: A basic, fragrance free moisturiser (not Vaseline) is all you need to keep your tat hydrated.
The most painful spots to get a tattoo are your ribs, spine, fingers, and shins. The least painful spots to get a tattoo are your forearms, stomach, and outer thighs.
Over time, the skin naturally sheds dead cells from the epidermis, which can cause the tattoo to appear less vibrant. Additionally, exposure to sunlight, air pollution, and other environmental factors can also contribute to tattoo fading. Another factor that can affect tattoo fading is the quality of the ink used.
Older tattoos may be raised due to scar tissue
Thicker lines, and more pressure applied during tattooing, can cause some scarring. It's nothing to be concerned about, but it can sometimes raise up, and this is generally caused by changes in body temperature or weather conditions, as well as general health.
It is very common for a tattoo to be raised for a few days after they are completed, but it is normal after a year? The answer is most likely – yes. As long as your tattoo isn't displaying any alarming symptoms or patterns, then the raised skin can usually be attributed to a harmless anomaly.
After 3 weeks or so, the scabs should have completely fallen off and a thin layer of skin should have appeared over the tattoo. This layer of skin is called 'silver skin' and will make the tattoo look a little shiny and dull. The brightness will return in time once the tattoo is fully healed.
Keep in mind: Of the people we talked to (the majority being teenagers to twentysomethings), a whopping 78 percent regret at least one of their tattoos. And 19 percent of participants with two tattoos regret both. Planning ahead is the best way you can make sure you don't suffer from tattoo regret.
While MRIs can cause tattoo irritation, this happens only in rare cases. If you are getting an MRI, let your doctor know if you have any tattoos so they can figure out the best way to image that area and ensure you have a good experience.
While there's no solid evidence to prove that getting tattooed is addictive, there are many factors that make it seem like it could be. For instance, getting a tattoo can release adrenaline (resulting in an adrenaline rush) and endorphins, which is why many may feel such a positive mental reaction after getting one.
One of the most common home tattoo removal methods we see talked about is salabrasion or rubbing the skin away with salt. It's an old method, and it does technically work, provided you rub enough skin off to reach the layer where the ink is held. You could also achieve the same effect with coarse sand or sandpaper.
Tattoos may also be removed by direct surgical excision. This involves simply cutting out the skin that contains the tattoo. This technique is best used for small tattoos and may not be practical for very large tattoos. The skin surrounding the tattoo is then brought together and closed.
One of the most common problems associated with tattooing is allergic reactions to the tattoo pigments. Itching, bumps, or rashes can occur days, months, or even years after the initial tattoo. These reactions need to be treated with a topical steroid ointment.
After two weeks, your skin may begin to peel. And into weeks three and four your tattoo may appear duller until the skin naturally exfoliates itself, revealing the beauty beneath!