Essential tips to keep your tattoo ink vibrant

Do you have a tattoo that you love? Of course you do! But as much as we adore our ink, keeping those colors looking as fresh as the day you got them can feel like a mission. Usually, your tattoo artist will take matters into their own hands and give you a long talk about what to do and how to do it. And you’ll do your best (or at least try) to stick to the strict routine for the prescribed amount of time, but after that, you hardly ever get any attention. And then comes the inevitable ink fading that finally brings us back to square one: the tattoo artist talk.

I, for one, can say from experience that it is truly heartbreaking to see a tattoo fade away after spending countless hours searching for the perfect design and the right artist. The thrill of finally getting inked, only to see those vibrant colors dull over time, feels like a betrayal of all the thought and care you put into it. After all, your tattoo is a piece of art that is meant to last, right? But don’t worry, this time we are all set to change that and for that, we connected with Sahil Bali, tattoo artist, Devil’z Tattooz.

Sahil explained: “The most common reason a tattoo fades is sun exposure. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can break down the ink’s pigments over time, causing the colours to lose their density and vibrancy.” He listed other causes as low-quality inks, poorly done tattoos, and tattoos done with very fine lines and grey washes.

To avoid this tattoo disaster, Sahil recommends using high-quality, professional-grade inks. Wondering why? Because they are packed with stable pigments that your skin will thank you for! Plus, if you’re looking for longer lasting inks, darker colors like black and deep blues are the best option.

On top of that, where you get your tattoo matters, too. Ink on sun-exposed places like your arms or legs can fade faster than you can say “sunscreen.” Plus, places that get a lot of rubbing or stretching, like your stomach or armpits, can be a problem area for tattoos.

Now for the real question – how to keep your tattoo ink vibrant? This may sound like the voice of your tattoo artist, as Sahil added, “Proper aftercare will ensure that your tattoo heals properly. It helps prevent infection and reduces the risk of scabbing. Overall, attentive aftercare supports the quality and longevity of your tattoo in the long run, making it an essential part of the tattooing process.”

There are many options available now that you can invest in. Sahil highly recommends using a Cheyenne aftercare kit for those who have larger tattoos and can afford high-quality products. If that gets heavy on your pocket, don’t worry, there are alternatives too. If you are someone with smaller tattoos, you can opt for fragrance-free soaps and cream for wax tattoo aftercare.

In response to the oft-asked question – how often or if touch-ups are necessary for tattoos? “Some people prefer regular touch-ups to keep their tattoos looking fresh, while others only get touch-ups when they notice significant changes or fading. So, it really depends on the person, but if a touch-up is necessary, it can be seen right after the tattoo is completely healed,” Sahil opined.