Pastel colors and white are the lightest tattoo colors; thus, they fade the quickest among all colors. They generally last for about five to eight years before fading. Moreover, pastel and white ink colors may look like scars if not done correctly.
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.
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.
Tattoo fading is something that occurs naturally, even if you look after your ink using the most detailed of tattoo aftercare guidelines. Lighter and more vibrant colors, for example, yellows, greens, and pinks, typically fade faster than darker colors. Black and gray are the hardiest tattoo colors you can choose.
Black and dark green are the easiest colors to remove; yellow, purple, turquoise and fluorescent dyes are hardest to fade.
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.
Black tattoos are some of the most difficult to cover up. This is because black ink is very dense and has a large particle size. As a result, black tattoos tend to hold their pigment better than other colors. That said, it is possible to cover up a black tattoo with another tattoo.
The reds are perhaps the worst, because they also contain the highly toxic iron oxide and cadmium. * If you really want to get a permanent tattoo, stick with the basics. Black remains safest. Blue and green inks with copper phthalocyanine pigments are safe too.
Thin lines, shading, small words, and small tattoos all fade much more quickly. Some like the effects age has on their tattoo. However, that tattoo will likely blur together if it's got too much detail. Bolder lines, thicker lines, and larger designs will better stand the test of time.
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.
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.
Those attracted to women saw a three-way tie between the upper back, shoulder and hips (with a 3.3 rating). The back: a top-rated tattoo location for women and men. The hip: a top-rated tattoo location for women. The upper arm: a top-rated tattoo location for men.
Dr. Kunin reports that black might be the safest permanent tattoo ink; it is often derived from a substance called carbon black and rarely causes any kind of sensitivity issues.
Colored tattoos, when repeatedly exposed to sunlight, tend to fade easily. This means that they will not age well and will need regular touch-ups to keep them looking sharp and fresh.
Old School Style Tattoos
Traditional tattoos have a simple black outline and simple colors. The style has lasted for a hundred years or more and has yet to go out of style – I'd call that a true timeless tattoo design, if ever there were one!
It is unavoidable that tattoos, both in color and black, will fade over time. Of course, the pattern on the skin can brighten, especially for colored tattoos. This process takes place on average 5-6 years after application. Sometimes the tattoos stay perfect for 10 years.
They're removing pigments Blue 15:3 and Green 7, which will destroy most artists' palettes. These two pigments make up almost 70% of tattoo and permanent makeup inks. It'll affect blues and greens, reds, purples, and yellows as well as skin tones and components for a white tattoo.
Black and gray are the most common colors used in tattoos. They suit all skin tones, from light to dark. Because black is a long-lasting shade, it is used for line work.
White Ink Tattoos
Tattoos using white ink will hurt more than other types of tattoos. This is down to the fact that for the tattoo to show on the skin, and it to be fully saturated, the tattoo artist will need to go over the same area again and again.
Choosing Color or Black and Gray Tattoos
Black and gray tattoos can create a more subtle, classic look. Black and gray tattoos rely on shading and contrast to create depth and detail, making them a popular choice for traditional designs such as portraits, fine-line tattoos, and tribal tattoos.
Green is the hardest color to remove followed by light blue. Neon colors are also incredibly difficult to remove, and typically require multiple treatments with the Ruby laser. As a general rule, the greater the contrast between the color of the tattoo pigment and your skin, the better the result.
One of the major benefits of black tattoo ink is its longevity. Black and gray tattoos generally last longer and require touchups less frequently than color tattoos. For optimal results, make sure that your artist uses only the best black tattoo ink.