Tattoos have become increasingly popular over the past few decades. About 3 in 10 people in the United States have at least one tattoo, and among young adults under 30, almost half have a tattoo. As more and more people get inked at a young age, it begs the question: what will happen to those tattoos as they get older?
Do tattoos fade over time?
Yes, tattoos do fade and blur over time. How quickly and how much they fade depends on several factors:
- Location on the body – Areas exposed to more sun fade faster. Tattoos on the hands, feet, neck and face are more likely to fade than those on the back or chest.
- Color – Lighter colors like yellows, greens, pinks and purples fade faster than darker colors like blacks and blues.
- Depth of ink – Deeper ink lasts longer. If the tattoo artist applies the ink deeply into the dermis layer of skin, it will hold better.
- Type of ink – Ink formula and quality affects longevity. Some pigments hold up better over time.
- Age and skin changes – As skin ages and loses elasticity, tattoos can blur and fade more.
- Sun exposure – Sun exposure is the #1 reason tattoos fade over time. UV rays break down the ink particles.
On average, a tattoo can lose 10-80% of its original look over time. With proper skin and sun care, you can slow the fading process. But some amount of fading is inevitable.
Why exactly does tattoo ink fade?
Tattoo ink is deposited into the dermis layer of skin, which is just below the outermost epidermis layer. The dermis contains connective tissue and blood vessels but no oil glands.
Tattoo ink particles sit permanently in the dermis, too big for the body to remove. However, over time, several factors cause the ink to fade and blur:
- UV exposure: Sun exposure breaks down tattoo pigments over time. The body cannot easily remove or replace these damaged particles.
- Blood flow: Blood carries away some ink pigments over time. White blood cells target and digest pigment particles.
- Lymphatic drainage: The lymphatic system also clears away small amounts of ink over time.
- Skin cell turnover: As the epidermis regenerates (every 4-6 weeks), it moves ink slightly each time.
- Aging skin: As we age, skin loses elasticity. Tattoo ink spreads under looser skin.
- Trauma: Injuries, surgery or other damage to skin distorts ink diffusion.
While tattoo ink is permanent, it does not remain static over a lifetime. The particles degrade and shift slowly. These gradual changes make the lines and edges appear blurred.
Do professional vs. amateur tattoos age differently?
Yes, professionally done tattoos tend to hold up better with age compared to amateur tattoos. Some reasons why:
- Depth – Professionals use special tattoo machines to deposit ink deeper and more evenly into skin.
- Precision – Their line work is sharper with well-defined edges that blur less over time.
- Ink quality – They use higher grade, less reactive pigments.
- Hygiene – Using sterilized tools prevent infections which can damage skin and ink.
- Aftercare – They provide proper aftercare instructions to protect healing.
An amateur tattoo more likely demonstrates poor line work, shallower ink, lower ink quality, potential infection risks, and no aftercare. All reasons an amateur tattoo will likely fade and blur faster than professional work.
How do tattoos change during pregnancy?
Pregnancy places physical stress on the skin that can affect tattoos. As the abdomen expands, tattoos can become distorted and warped. After giving birth, the skin shrinks back somewhat but may remain stretched. Some women report pregnancy has permanently blurred or smudged their abdominal tattoos.
Other changes during pregnancy:
- Darkening color – More blood volume and circulation may darken tattoo ink.
- Enlarged size – As skin expands, tattoos may appear larger temporarily.
- Itchy feeling – Hormonal changes and skin dryness may cause itchiness.
- Fading – Abdominal skin is stretched tighter, leading to more fade potential.
Taking good care of skin elasticity during pregnancy can help prevent excessive blurring and fading later. Always check with your doctor before getting a tattoo while pregnant.
What about changes with weight gain or loss?
Gaining or losing a significant amount of weight stretches the skin, which can distort tattoo images. Weight fluctuations have the biggest impact on tattoos on the arms, legs, stomach, back and other areas prone to expansion or loose skin.
When skin is stretched:
- Lines and borders may blur
- Dark sections can lighten as ink spreads out
- Images may warp slightly
- Text becomes less crisp
Losing weight after significant gain doesn’t always restore the tattoo to its original look. Just like with pregnancy, skin that has been severely stretched retains some of that distortion permanently.
Do tattoos look worse with age?
Tattoos can change with age, but not always for the worse. While fading is inevitable, some of the natural changes over time give tattoos a worn, vintage look. The aging effect adds character.
Well-done tattoos often develop a visual depth or dimensionality over the years. Bright colors soften into more muted shades with a natural, nuanced quality.
Tattoos don’t have to look worse – it depends on your perspective. An aged tattoo develops its own unique appeal. Like vintage furniture or clothing, an aged tattoo can represent a time, place or memory from the past. It tells a story.
What causes tattoo scarring over time?
Tattoos do not automatically scar as you age. However, poor tattoo care or other factors can lead to permanent scarring:
- Sunburns – Repeated sunburns damage skin and cause thicker, uneven scarring.
- Infection – Bacterial or viral skin infections create raised, irritated scars.
- Delayed healing – Scabs left too long on new tattoos lead to scarring.
- Allergic reactions – Some people develop mild allergic reactions that cause scaly, red rashes.
- Keloids – A small number of people are prone to keloid scars that are larger than the original tattoo.
- Chemical burns – Harsh soaps or skin products can chemically burn and scar skin.
Most scarring can be avoided by properly caring for a new tattoo during healing. The most common cause is sunburning. Always wear sunscreen on tattoos to prevent scarring.
Can you restore or touch up a faded aged tattoo?
Yes, you can get an old, faded tattoo touched up. Many reputable tattoo shops offer touch up services. The tattoo artist can go over the lines with fresh ink to sharpen blurry edges. They may also add shading and color back to faded areas.
Touch ups are easiest on simpler black line tattoos. Color and complex tattoos are harder to match perfectly after fading. It takes skill to integrate the new and old ink.
Results vary based on the tattoo’s original quality and condition of skin. Damaged skin with scar tissue does not take fresh ink as well. Ask the artist if your tattoo is a viable candidate for successful touch up.
Can you get a tattoo removed if you dislike how it ages?
Yes, an aging, unwanted tattoo can be removed with laser tattoo removal treatments. During the procedure, laser light breaks up the original ink particles. Over several sessions, the body’s immune system gradually flushes away the particles.
Complete tattoo removal averages 6 to 12 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart. The number of treatments depends on ink color, amount of ink and location on body. Fading occurs gradually after each session as the laser focuses on smaller particles.
Some traces of the tattoo often remain after removal. But the design becomes much lighter and less noticeable overall. Removing an aged tattoo is more challenging if the ink has already blurred significantly.
What’s the best way to protect and preserve tattoos?
Follow these tips to help your tattoos hold up over decades:
- Always wear sunscreen on tattoos year-round when going outdoors.
- Avoid sunburns, which cause the most damage to tattoo ink.
- Moisturize skin daily to maintain elasticity as you age.
- Avoid rapid weight gain/loss which can stretch skin.
- Don’t pick scabs or soak in baths during tattoo healing.
- Follow proper aftercare instructions from your artist.
- Schedule periodic touch ups for older tattoos if needed.
What kind of changes should I expect in my tattoos over time?
Over years and decades, your tattoos will slowly and subtly change as skin naturally ages. You can expect to see:
- A slight overall lightening in color
- Borders and edges that appear a little blurred
- Crisp lettering or details look a little softer
- A more muted, toned-down version of the original colors
- Slighter changes in size and shape as skin shifts
- Development of scar tissue only if trauma occurs
The aging process adds character and a worn, vintage look over time. Your artist’s original skill makes a big difference. Higher quality tattoos change less drastically. Protect your skin from sun damage and other trauma to minimize excessive fading.
Conclusion
While tattoos are designed to last lifelong, some fading and blurring inevitably occur over time as skin ages. Sun exposure is the biggest factor in how tattoos change. With proper sun protection and aftercare, quality tattoos can retain much of their original appearance over decades.
If you dislike how a tattoo has aged, touch ups can restore faded areas. Complete tattoo removal is also an option. Embrace the vintage appeal of aged tattoos. Let them serve as a unique representation of your personal history.