Why Do Tattoos Get Blurry And Fade Over Time

Those with tattoos usually express a similar concern. You have all that gorgeous ink right now, but what happens when it starts to blur. Unfortunately, tattoos do lose details and vibrancy over the years. That is why older tattoos look out of focus and blurry. But if you know the reasons, you can prevent some premature fading and blurring. So why do tattoos get blurry and fade over time? The reasons and preventative measures are coming right up.

What Is Tattoo Blurring?

When someone mentions tattoo blurring, they are referring to the way tattoos lose color and sharpness over time. Blurring may happen within a few months to many years, depending on certain factors. Tattoo blurring will happen to every tattoo eventually, but there are some things you can do or avoid to prevent it from happening too soon.

Why Do Tattoos Get Blurry?

Here are some of the reasons tattoos blur faster than others:

• UV Exposure
• Ink Quality
• Tattoo Placement
• Tattoo Design
• Healing Process
• Skin Cleansing

Now let’s look at these causes for tattoo blurring in detail.

UV Exposure

If you love sun bathing, you have probably done untold damage to your tattoo. Sun exposure, be it from outside or the tanning bed, will start to affect the pigments under your skin. Anyone who has tattoos should have a tattoo-friendly sunscreen in their pocket or purse at all times. If you must use the tanning bed, be sure to slather sunscreen onto the tattoo and the skin around it to prevent premature blurring and fading.

Ink Quality

Low quality inks do not have the same longevity as high quality inks. If you don’t want your tattoo to blur within a few years, make sure the artist is using the highest quality. Also, low quality tattoo ink tends to have far more metal and chemicals in it, which can also affect the overall end result.

Tattoo Placement

Some parts of the body shed layers of skin through friction. This includes the hands, feet, shoulders, and legs. Those cool finger tattoos are going to blur faster than the tattoo on your rib cage, because you use your hands more often. Similarly, tattoos that are in places where you have lost or gained weight or muscle could end up blurring, because the skin has been affected.

Tattoo Design

The more intricate the tattoo, the more blurry it will become. Your skin is constantly regenerating itself and rebuilding from inside out. In time, the fine lines of your tattoo may start to become finer and less noticeable. Close together details could end up overlapping. You also have to account for aging and a loss of elasticity, which may cause details in the design to fade.

Healing Process

Did you pay attention to your tattoo’s aftercare? If you did, good job. Ensuring your ink heals up nicely is one way to prevent your tattoo from blurring. Remember to use soap and water for cleansing the tattoo as it heals. Stay away from scented lotions, and do not scratch at the healing tattoo. Too often, tattoos that have irritated or infected during the healing process start to blur more quickly than others.

Skin Cleansing

If you enjoy a good scrub down in the shower, you might want to be a bit more careful wherever you have tattoos. Many soaps and washes are made to exfoliate and hydrate at the same time. However, those exfoliating ingredients could become too abrasive and work against your tattoo. Also, if you let your skin become too dehydrated, that may also contribute to your tattoo’s blurred or faded appearance.

How To Stop Tattoo Blurring

While blurring can’t be stopped entirely, you can counteract it. The key is to take into consideration all the factors that cause blurring and avoid making such mistakes. You will want to begin right away by following the aftercare instructions provided by your artist. From there, avoid damaging your new tattoo or exposing it to UV light. Use antibacterial soap, clean it clean, and stay moisturized.

Once your tattoo has healed, the best thing for it is sunscreen and moisturizer. If you notice that your tattoo is beginning to blur, you can also revisit the artist for a touch up or a cover piece. Most artists are happy to redo the outlines of a piece or add a touch of color to bring it back to life.

Bottom Line

Tattoos are indeed permanent, but that doesn’t mean they will look the same 20 or 40 years from now. Over time, the quality of the design will change, lighten, and blur. The best ways to counteract a blurring tattoo is to use sunscreen and keep your skin healthy. Also, don’t forget to choose a professional tattoo shop or artist for your tattoo, as they will do better work and use high quality ink.

If you are looking for artists who turn tattoo visions into reality, check out Oracle Tattoo Gallery. We are a tattoo shop in Philadelphia with a unique vibe and amazing talent. Check us out on Instagram to see our latest works or schedule a consultation today.