If you just got a new tattoo, or have had it for a few years and find it looking blurry, you may be concerned about the condition of your once beautiful ink. There are many reasons why a tattoo may look blurry, and some are easier to fix than others. Our articles on tattoo popping and tattoo blurring are the basic guide to solving your problem.
What Causes Blurred Tattoos?
Our bodies go through many changes that we can’t usually stop (such as pregnancy or weight gain), but what if your body shape, weight and skin health were the same as before? Your tattoo still looks blurry? Or what if you recently got a brand new tattoo and it didn’t heal as well as you thought it would?
Here are some possible causes of blurry tattoos.
Tattoo location
Any professional artist will give you a full picture of how the tattoo will age depending on the location you choose. Yes, tattoos age differently on different parts of the body!
There are a few factors that can negatively affect the longevity of a tattoo:
- If you get a tattoo where you exercise a lot
- If your tattoo is on thin skin
- If your tattoo is in an area that is often exposed to the sun or rubbed against clothing
Some of the most problematic areas for tattoo placement that tend to fade and blur the fastest are your hands, feet, lips, elbows, and knees. For this reason, experienced tattoo artists may offer alternate locations, knowing that not only are these tattoo locations very painful, but they also don’t last long.
Dad aftermath
A major cause of blurry tattoos is improper aftercare during the healing period. Inconsistent and careful cleaning and moisturizing routines can lead to excessive scabbing, which can lead to ink loss. This can cause your tattoo to look dull or blurry.
Also, if you rush the healing process and try to get a tan or swim with a brand new tattoo, you will experience ink loss or complications during aftercare. For proper aftercare advice, see our article Tattoo aftercare advice – How do I take care of my tattoo?
Low quality equipment
If your tattooist uses cheap ink, highly diluted ink, doesn’t hold ink well, or has poor quality needles, then you will end up with a blurry tattoo that is evidence of this misconduct! It’s important to remember that cheap tattoos are bad, and good ones aren’t cheap either.
Tattoo size
We get it — tiny minimalist tattoos are cool, and they’re all over social media. But these babies are really old! Over time, tiny tattoos can become tiny blobs that blur once-sharp and jagged edges, and even slight distortions can become more noticeable on small tattoos.
Tattoo blowout
One of the most disappointing reasons for blurry tattoos is untrained craftsmanship.
Tattoo ink should be deposited in the dermis, the layer of skin that lies below the epidermis and above a layer of fat. Tattoo popping occurs when the tattoo artist is inexperienced and does not know where to properly insert the ink into the fat layer. This layer of fat is porous and uneven and cannot properly hold the ink, causing the tattoo to blow off.
Are certain body parts more prone to fading?
Yes, some parts of the body fade faster than others. For example, the tattoos on the inside of my feet have faded more than others to the point that some of the letters are almost completely faded.
Well, there could be multiple reasons for this. I got my tattoo at a shop while traveling in Italy. I went to that store because my cousin went there on a trip a few years ago, but I don’t think the ink used was of the highest quality. It could also be that the insides of my feet are constantly rubbing against each other, so I often accidentally bump the insides of my feet together during the healing process. This causes scabs to be easier to pick off than others, which actually “pulls” the ink from the skin.
Here is a list of areas that are more prone to fading:
- Palms and feet
- Fingers toes
- Inside the mouth
- Shoulder blade
Regions may vary, and everyone is different. Some parts of your body heal differently than others.
Immediately after tattoo treatment:
One of the most common discrepancies I see at tattoo parlors is aftercare. I’ve heard everything from using bounty to vaseline and wrapping it up for days to giving it up entirely.
You should treat your tattoo like a wound. Honestly, this is a tattoo, a damaged part of your skin that your body is trying to heal. Here’s how I’ve been healing my tattoos, here’s my advice for everyone:
- On the first day, wrap the tattoo 2-3 hours after tattooing. Your skin secretes enzymes and white blood cells, and the wrap helps keep your body hydrated.
- After 2-3 hours, remove wrap and allow to air dry. Try to avoid rubbing the area for the first few days.
- Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or Aquaphor (Amazon link) twice a day, preferably in the morning and before bed. Be careful not to apply too much, as excess moisture can prolong the healing process.
- If the skin starts to peel, switch to an unscented lotion. My skin usually starts peeling around a week after getting a tattoo and it takes at least 2-3 days for the scab to go away.
- Don’t choose your tattoo. Pulling a tattoo actually removes the ink from your body.
- Avoid swimming and excessive humidity while the tattoo is healing. Also keep out of direct sunlight and extreme heat.
All in all, tattoos do fade over time, but this article will help you understand the various results and hopefully help with your tattoo.
