When you get a tattoo, you want it to retain its beauty for years or even forever. However, this is only sometimes possible, as tattoos inevitably fade and your skin wrinkles as you age.
You can keep your body art looking newer by maintaining skin health, using sunscreen, and limiting exposure to sunlight, but these are only stopgaps. Luckily, a few tattoo designs look better with age.
Are you ready to learn more about tattoo style vs. tattoo longevity? Here are the determinant factors.
Care Level
Regardless of style, the care afforded to a tattoo determines how long it keeps looking new and attractive. So after getting inked, ask your tattooist how long it’ll take to heal.
Avoid scratching, peeling, or rebandaging the tattooed area before it heals. More importantly, keep it moisture-free and away from sunlight. If you must go outdoors, cover it.
Aftercare is crucial to keeping a tattoo attractive for many years. If you follow instructions, you’ll love your body art for ages.
Placement
A tattoo’s location affects how it ages. Generally, tattoos on high-friction body parts like hands and feet fade faster than those on thighs, chests, and other less exposed parts.
If you want your body art to last for a long time, have it placed on your shoulders, back, or other less exposed body locations? Sleeve tattoos can still look good over time, however, you need to be sure to take proper precautions against sun damage.
Ink Depth
The layer of your skin that gets inked affects how your tattoo looks over time. As a result, your body art looks clean and attractive at the correct depth and stays longer.
If the needle doesn’t go beyond the superficial layers, your tattoo will fade faster than usual. On the other hand, you’ll get blurry images or text if the ink goes too deep into the skin.
Getting the proper ink depth mainly depends on the artist’s skills. For this reason, choose the best personnel in your area. Consult widely before settling on a particular tattoo studio, ask for samples, and don’t be afraid to spend extra cash.
Colour
It’s easy to restore your tattoos’ appearance through touch-ups. However, choose the right colours if you want your ink to remain clear and crisp for many years. This often means forgoing water-colours and other similar designs, despite their fancifulness.
Black exudes boldness and never looks dull. If you have dark skin, grayscale art works well. Unlike vibrant colours, black and grayscale stand the test of time and take years to fade. If they do, you can renew them by getting a few touch-ups.
Large and Bold Art
Some people love large tattoos, and they last longer than smaller ones. This is because larger tattoos are less likely to fade on themselves, and artists leave enough spaces between the lines for future touch-ups.
As you age, the skin loosens. As a result, small and intricate tattoos usually fade and become indiscernible. However, loosening doesn’t make it illegible when the art is oversized. It’s also easier to redraw larger tattoos to reverse the effect of cell displacement.
Old School Tattoos
Have you ever wondered why old-school tattoos are still classic? Besides being a symbol of history, people love these tattoos because they hold up well.
Many years ago, most people with old-school tattoos got inked when tattooing equipment wasn’t as advanced as they currently are. Regardless, these pieces still look attractive. If you desire a tattoo that’ll last for ages, get an old-school piece, even if it means travelling to downtown Bangkok! Luckily, you can request the artist to add a modern twist using traditional techniques that guarantee longevity.
Final Words
Although you can modify or remove your tattoo, choosing a style that guarantees longevity is always best. Location, size, and style affect tattoo quality over time. Ensure you balance these factors before getting inked.
Always go for the best artists, regardless of how much they charge. High-quality outcomes often command high prices. But, more importantly, take proper care of the wound and ensure it heals before going outdoors.
