How to keep tattoos lasting

Most people who get a tattoo want it to last forever, but that’s hard to do. Over time, your tattoo will fade, and the lines and lettering will become less vivid and less vivid. The rate at which your tattoo fades depends on a number of factors, including the quality of the ink, the health of your skin, friction, and exposure to the sun. Fortunately, though, you can slow down the fading process and keep your tattoo looking fresher, longer. Here’s how to care for your tattoo to make it last longer .

How to preserve tattoos for a long time

• Limit sun exposure
• Moisturize regularly
• Extra care for high exposure tattoos
• Keep in touch with the person who tattooed you

Limit sun exposure

Protecting your skin from the sun not only reduces your risk of cancer, but it also keeps your tattoo from fading too quickly. The artists at Oxbow Tattoo in Easthampton, MA explain that sunlight is a major contributor to the breakdown of all types of tattoos. “ All pigments release slowly over time, and sun exposure can actually speed up the breakdown of tattoos, regardless of whether the tattoo is black or black and gray .”

To keep your tattoo looking fresh, wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 or higher. Covering up your tattoo when you go out in the sun can also help. Otherwise, moisturize and reapply sunscreen regularly.

Moisturize regularly

The more hydrated your skin is, the more vibrant and healthy your tattoo will look. Tattoo Moisturizer mentions cocoa butter as being highly effective in preventing tattoo aging: " Cocoa butter is rich in healthy fatty acids as well as Vitamins E and K. These are ingredients that help fight—or at least slow—the appearance of skin aging ," but you can choose any moisturizer you like for your skin type.

There are specific tattoo care products available, such as Mad Rabbit Tattoo Lotion, which is made with vitamins C and E, rosehip oil, cocoa butter, argan oil, and aloe vera. Whether or not you buy a tattoo-specific lotion is up to you, but remember the rule: moisture is key.

Extra care for high exposure tattoos

Some areas of the body are more prone to wear and tear than others due to constant exposure to the elements. Overexposure can affect the longevity of a tattoo, so these areas need extra care. Oxbow Tattoo uses the shoulder as an example and recommends applying extra sunscreen. Finger tattoos also tend to fade faster than normal: "We use our hands constantly, so flexing and rubbing can cause the tattoo to fade faster ," they explain. In this case, a special tattoo preservation cream could be a good investment.

Keep in touch with the person who tattooed you

If you limit your sun exposure and keep your skin hydrated, your tattoo should stand the test of time (or at least fade more slowly than usual), but the longevity of a tattoo starts with the design. “Tattoo ink has come a long way, and the skill of the tattoo artist really helps it stay vibrant and beautiful for years,” says Oxbow Tattoo. If longevity is important to you, talk to them before you get started.

And be realistic about touch-ups, as your tattoo will likely need touch-ups over time, as this is the only “real” way to keep your tattoo looking fresh. “If your tattoo has lost its vibrancy of color and looks dull, it’s time for a touch-up,” says Oxbow Tattoo. “If the black lines have spread significantly and look faded or lacked definition, you can have the tattoo re-drawn.” So keep in touch with your tattoo artist.