Generally, black ink takes the cake for lasting the longest. Black ink tends to outlast any other color because it is super pigmented. Other darker colors like dark blue, dark green, gray, and dark purple will have a similar lifespan to black ink.
Colored tattoos can fade over time and might need regular touch-ups to remain sharp. Black and gray tattoos are low maintenance in this regard as they don't fade easily and do not require you to get periodic touch-ups.
Black and gray: Black and gray inks are the boldest and most dense; thus, they are the most fade-resistant colors. These are suitable for any skin tone, especially with tan or black skin. With proper aftercare, black and gray colors last for up to 10 years or longer before requiring a retouch.
There are certain areas of your body where a tattoo will fade faster. Areas of the body tattoos fade most include the hands, feet, elbows, armpit and inside of the arms. The reason is simple: friction. For example, tattoos on your feet fade quicker as socks and shoes are constantly rubbing these areas.
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.
UV rays from the sun will penetrate the skin and essentially break down the pigments in the tattoo. Once those pigments are damaged, the tattoo will ultimately appear much lighter and less vibrant than it once did. Sun exposure without any protection like tattoo sunscreen will only make this process happen even faster.
Light/Fair Skin: White, or other light colors like pale blue, usually works well on people with fair skin. Medium Skin: Red, green, orange, and blues look great on tan or olive-toned skin. Dark Skin: The darkest colors on the color spectrum work best. Crimson, black, and dark blue look great on darker skin tones.
Typically, colored tattoo ink fades more quicker than black and gray ink. Red ink tends to keep its color more than other ink colors, but as a whole, colored ink doesn't always hold its vibrancy. It's more common for ink allergies to appear in colored ink as well.
Many professionals in the tattoo industry class Fusion Ink as being the best, brightest ink available today. These inks are known to be luminous and offer intensity. They are also classed as being amongst the most easily applied pigments available.
The best option when filling out professional documents is to use black or blue ink. Stay far away from any reds, greens, or purples. Moreover, don't even think about using a pencil. Any pencil marks can be easily erased (or changed), causing even more harm down the line.
The color of your ink will make your tattoo age a whole lot better. Darker colors, especially black, fade much less than brighter colors, especially red. Black and grayscale colors last usually longer than colored tattoos. This is especially the case with white hued tattoos.
Inner Forearm.
This is proven to be the best area to get a tattoo when it comes to aging. This area does not frequently change in size, so the tattoo never stretches. Tattoos in this area practically never look aged.
Those tattoos will last forever because the black is mostly carbon and the U.V. from the sun and your macrophages will break that down the least. It depends on the ink, your skin, a lot of different things, but I would say the ink is the most important factor.
The tattooing process prompts your body to kill off and shed the damaged skin cells, while it regenerates brand new skin over the tattooed area. As this old, damaged layer of skin dies, it sits on the surface for a while, forming a translucent layer over your tattoo, giving it a faded, milky appearance.
Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don't put on another bandage. Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and water and gently pat dry before reapplying the antibacterial/Vaseline ointment. Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean it to keep it moist.
The better your skin feels and looks, the better your tattoo will look. That is why it is crucial for you to hydrate and moisturize your skin at all times. You can invest in a tattoo lotion for aftercare and apply it daily to hydrate the area. In the long run, it will keep the tattoo bright and vibrant.
Some placements, like along the thigh as seen here, seem to be more popular with women getting tattooed, which gives them a “feminine” reputation. “I suppose the most common areas I get requested by women are on the wrist, ribcage, sternum, spine, tricep, hip, and top of the forearm,” says Ruiz.
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.