Why do tattoos fade?
The short answer is that, as you get older, your skin naturally changes. It loses elasticity and becomes thinner and drier.
When you get a tattoo, ink is deposited into the dermis, a layer of the skin. Over time, macrophages (the cells in your immune system) gradually absorb the ink which can potentially lead to fading.
It’s extremely important to choose an artist who knows what they’re doing. If ink is improperly tattooed (too deep or not deep enough), it can lead to uneven healing. An artist who has a strong understanding of the correct needle depth is vital for how the tattoo will hold up over time.
Other factors
Of course, there are also other external factors that can contribute to the fading of your ink. This includes but is not limited to: poor application, friction and improper aftercare.
Does tattoo placement matter?
There are specific areas on the body that are more prone to fading than others. These include the hands, feet, elbow, armpit and the inside of the arms.
Why you may ask? Friction and high turn over of cells.
However, this shouldn’t be a primary concern when choosing the location of your tattoo. Whether it’s going to rub or not is definitely something to keep in mind if you want to guard against future fading. More importantly, it’s best to wear looser garments to stop excessive friction and avoid excessive exercise during the healing phase.
What can improper aftercare look like?
Excessive sweating from exercise, submerging your tattoo underwater, exposure to sunlight and over moisturising. These are to be avoided at all costs, not only can they contribute to fading, they can potentially lead to infection.
Think of it like this: your new tattoo is essentially a big open wound and how your body heals it will shape the look for the rest of your life.
Generally, your artist will provide you with instructions on how to properly take care of your tattoo at the end of your appointment.
The degree in which a tattoo will fade will vary from person to person, regardless of if they follow all the ‘right’ rules or not. Worst case scenario, a touch up is always an option, and some artists will offer a complementary one for some tattoos within a given timeframe. At the end of the day, it’s important to consider that aging is just a natural part of life and you shouldn’t let how a tattoo looks stop you from enjoying it to the fullest (: