It’s no secret that getting a tattoo is a lifelong commitment. We invest the time, money, and effort to find the best artists and have your artwork worn forever. But many people seem to overlook the other side of the tattoo journey: maintaining your ink long-term with good habits.
Tattoos are certainly permanent, but that doesn’t mean they’ll look the same forever. Without balanced skin care and a balanced lifestyle, your ink may not maintain its original color and shape.
Don’t worry if you haven’t maintained your tattoo for years. There are ways to rejuvenate your tattoos and develop a habit that fits your budget and schedule.
Whether you’re looking to repair your first tattoo or want to maximize the restoration of old ink, let’s take a look at the pillars of long-term tattoo care.
First things first: Aftercare essentials
It is said that the best time to start good habits is yesterday. In other words, it’s never too early or too late to take care of your ink, no matter how old it is.
Some aspects of tattoo aging are inevitable, such as skin elasticity and ink deterioration over time. But long-term care efforts can be much more effective and rewarding if you start on the right foot.
So when working on long-term tattoo care, remember that it all starts from the moment the artist applies your tattoo.
Let’s take a quick refresher on tattoo aftercare essentials so you can adopt these best practices the next time you get new ink.
Know the basics
The basics of tattoo aftercare are very simple to summarize. Keep the affected area clean, use soothing gel, stay hydrated, and avoid picking at scabs if they form. Of course, the details of these principles can sometimes become hazy when caring for a new tattoo, especially when you’re experiencing physical discomfort or stress.
Our best advice is to simply take the steps and follow best practices that have been proven time and time again. The better you follow aftercare instructions, the more the ink will settle into your skin, heal, and look better than ever.
During the first few weeks of the healing process, avoid sunlight, wear loose clothing, and be disciplined. It takes some willpower and planning, but the results are worth the wait.
Create a clean routine
One of the best ways to support your aftercare strategy is to establish a simple, easy-to-understand routine that you can repeat without second-guessing yourself. Think of it like autopilot. It keeps everything in place at all times and has an easily repeatable process that never fails.
For example, keep a gentle, unscented soap near your sink or shower and a fresh paper towel that you can use to pat dry your skin after cleaning. Keep your go-to soothing gel nearby to provide a cooling effect and moisturize the affected area when you feel itchy.
It may seem obvious, but planning ahead with the right products and procedures can keep you on track for a safe and successful phase of healing. Combine this with other aftercare best practices and you’re already set for long-term maintenance.
Fighting fade: 4 tips
After about a month, the new ink will fully set in and the scab will fall off on its own. It will still take a few months for the deep skin to fully heal, but the hard work is almost done.
This marks the transition from the healing phase of the tattoo to the maintenance phase. Unfortunately, many tattoo enthusiasts get lost here and think their work is done. Maintaining a tattoo isn’t complicated, but it’s easy to forget the basics of tattoo maintenance and speed up the fading process more than necessary.
What exactly causes tattoos to fade and distort over time? In part, this is simply a natural process in which the ink breaks down within the skin and cells in the body metabolize it. As we age, collagen production decreases, causing the skin to lose its elasticity and sag, which can change the shape of your tattoo.
However, all hope is not lost when it comes to fading. There are many ways to maintain your tattoo other than proper aftercare, so start working on it now. Here are some tips to combat the tide of fading and keep your ink looking great for the long haul ahead.
keep the lotion flowing
Regardless of the season or sun exposure, using a moisturizer on your ink is one of the best ways to prevent fading.
Although we usually focus on skin care products for the face, other parts of the skin are just as important. This is especially true if you have tattoos. Our lightweight daily body lotion is formulated for long-term tattoo care and is perfect for daily use in any environment. Some skin care products contain ingredients that increase sensitivity to sunlight, so don’t forget to use an appropriate SPF.
Just like you took care of your new ink during the healing phase, apply lotion once or twice each day to keep your skin hydrated and happy. This is a simple idea, but one that is often forgotten once the ink has healed. Learn from the mistakes of others and implement your daily toner routine now.
Stay safe in the sun
Many beauty experts recommend avoiding the sun completely as a way to maintain healthy, youthful skin. Sounds easy in theory, but let’s put it into practice. During the summer, you’ll want to soak up the sun and show off your amazing artwork.
First, sunscreen is your best friend when spending time in the sun, so stick to your SPF and use a sunscreen specifically formulated for tattoos. This helps keep your ink fresh, bright, and safe from the harmful effects of UV rays.
Next, minimize your time in direct sunlight during beach trips or pool relaxation sessions. If you feel hot, don’t hesitate to hide in the shade or cover yourself with light long sleeves. Finally, don’t forget to moisturize and hydrate after spending time in the sun to prevent dryness and burns.
Please remember. A little sunlight can give your tattoo a healthy glow without damaging it.
healthy lifestyle habits
Your skin covers a large area, up to 22 square feet based on your measurements. Skin health is also a reliable indicator of your overall health and vitality, so caring for your skin starts with caring for your whole body.
It’s no wonder that people with the best skin tend to have better lifestyle habits, including diet, exercise, and sleep. If any of these areas are lacking, you are more likely to face effects such as sagging skin, wrinkles, and fading of your tattoo.
After all, tattoo maintenance isn’t just skin deep. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and quality sleep will help your ink look as beautiful as the rest of your body as you age.
Maintaining your tattoo long-term is about more than just doing the right thing for your health. You should also avoid certain habits that can accelerate aging and fading of your ink.
Habits like excessive drinking, smoking, and other bad habits tend to show up on the skin, and tattoos are no exception. It’s okay to have a little fun once in a while, but aim to reduce the number of daily habits that can damage the long-term quality of your ink and skin overall.
consider touch up
At some point, you may consider revisiting your artist to have your tattoo “touched up” with new ink. This is a common practice in the tattoo industry, and most artists are happy to accommodate you at a more affordable price than new work.
While touch-ups may not be able to completely restore a tattoo to its former glory, a talented artist can certainly improve its foundation. We recommend waiting at least a few years for the ink to fully set before scheduling a touch-up appointment.
Please note that all original aftercare methods apply to care for your new ink after touch-up. This is a great time to start fresh and get back to your ink with regular use of lotion, sunscreen, and all the other tips outlined here.
Take care of your ink thoroughly
Tattoo care extends far beyond the first month of healing. Ink is a natural extension of your skin, so treat it like any other part of your body. By using lotion, managing your sun exposure, and living a healthy lifestyle, you can go far on your tattoo journey, no matter when or where you started.
Mad Rabbit’s product collection covers all aspects of tattoo care and longevity, giving you everything you need to preserve your beautiful ink for the long term.
source:
How tattoos “migrate” with age | University of London
This is why your tattoo has faded so much | Allure
8 tattoos that actually look better as you get older, according to a tattoo artist | Bustle
