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.
Don't pick, scratch, or rub your tattoo until it's healed. You could cause scarring. Don't swim, soak in a hot tub, or take a bath until your tattoo has healed completely. Opt for a shower instead.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Exfoliation - Exfoliation paired with hydrogen peroxide can do wonders to gradually fade tattoo ink naturally. This is because exfoliation removes dead skin while hydrogen peroxide is a skin lightening agent that has bleaching properties.
Scratching – While it may seem obvious, scratching that peeling, itchy new ink is never a good idea. Patting, slapping, peeling and rubbing also falls into the “no, no” category. To help soothe the annoying itch, use Tattoo Goo lotion with Panthenol—which should take the itching away and speed up the healing process.
During tattoo healing, avoid touching your ink unless washing or applying aftercare. It's very easy to transfer dirt and germs onto your fresh tattoo (open wound) from dirty hands. Getting a good night's sleep can be awkward during the tattoo healing process.
"Until your tattoo is fully healed, you should avoid swimming in a pool, the sea, or soaking in the tub or a jacuzzi," Palomino says. "Exposing your tattoo to too much water may draw ink out of your skin and damage the tattoos appearance."
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.
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.
Laser tattoo removal is the only proven, FDA-approved method for safely, effectively, and completely removing unwanted tattoo ink. Unlike creams, injections, and surgical procedures, tattoo removal lasers target the pigment by using appropriate wavelengths to super-heat the ink and break it into smaller particles.
Your best bet is to begin daily applications of a mild skin-lightening agent like hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice. If you're looking for a faster, more direct approach, you could also try exfoliating the tattoo thoroughly 2-3 times a day with a homemade salt scrub or similar abrasive mixture.
Tattoos are open wounds and vulnerable to infection during the healing process. Picking or scratching tattoos can interfere with the healing process and also transfer bacteria from your hands to your affected skin. Only touch the tattoo when cleaning it and after you have washed/sterilized your hands.
It's extremely important to not pick, scratch, or peel your tattoo! If you do you will lift the scab and pull the ink out leaving your tattoo with missing ink and scars. If your tattoo is itchy you can lightly slap it or apply an ice pack. -Your skin will peel and flake as it heals, some of which will be color tinted.
Over-moisturising can lead to inflamed tattoos and potentially infection. Excess moisture can clog your skin's pores which prevents it from breathing, something that's important for your skin to heal. This can lead to breakouts on the skin that can damage the tattoo.
The Next Two (To Four) Weeks
Between days 15 and 30, the top layer of skin will finish healing. It is common for the skin on the tattooed area to appear fairly dry and dull with the cloudy-looking ink underneath. Be consistent with regularly applying your moisturizing cream to keep the area hydrated.
The healing process is different for every person and tattoo. Most sources indicate that tattoos generally take about 2 weeks to heal. However, it may take up to 4 weeks for the skin to fully recover. Some complications may prolong the healing process.
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.
The American Academy of Dermatology says petroleum-based products can cause ink to fade. They recommend using water-based moisturizers on new tattoos instead. But why? Products like Vaseline and super thick ointments may trap moisture and bacteria on top of a new tattoo, increasing your risk of developing an infection.
Yes. Washing any part of your body too much can lead the skin to be dry and to crack, especially when using antibacterial soap. Your new tattoo is healing, so avoid over-washing and apply fragrance-free, tattoo-approved moisturizer if that tattoo looks dry or the skin feels uncomfortably dry and itchy.
Until the surface of the tattoo is healed (at a minimum of two to three weeks), wash the area gently 2-3 times per day. After cleaning the tattoo during this two to three week period, gently apply a thin coat of a lotion-based care product. We recommend After Inked tattoo moisturizer and aftercare lotion.
After around a month, it should be safe to scratch again without damaging your tattoo. Remember that your tattoo's longevity depends on how well you care for it even after the healing period, and keeping it clean and moisturized is often the solution to many symptoms of dryness, such as an itch.
I've heard that you have to set the ink by slapping it. This is pure ridiculousness. If anything smacking the tattoo will cause irritation and possibly spread germs from the hand to the open skin. This is mainly an old, old, old joke on unwary newbies to the tattoo community.