Your Tattoos fade over time: discover how to make them last

Tattoos usually begin to fade after many years, but some tattoos fade more quickly than others. A tattoo is lifetime art, but as the years pass, many people see the sharpness, vibrancy, and definition of their ink fade. The reasons tattoos fade the most are sun exposure, poor skin care, dehydration, and mature skin.

Ink deposited into “the dermis”, the second layer of skin, is permanent. But natural skin cell turnover, UV ray exposure, and a failure to follow aftercare instructions can all lead to tattoos fading before their time. The good news? Luckily, there are things you can do to slow this natural process, keeping your tattoo dark, colored and defined for years.

Scroll for the best practical steps to take to stop your ink from fading and keep it looking as good as the day you got it.

1. Avoid Sun Exposure

The top reason for tattoo fading is sun exposure. To put in a nutshell, the UV rays dissolve ink particles in your skin, dulling the colors and making the lines less precise over the years. If you want more information, we wrote a specific article: "Why is it important to protect your tattoo from the sun?"

✅ What to do:

• Every time you step outside, you should apply at least SPF 30 sunscreen (we recommend SPF 50 for a better efficiency) to your tattoo. But only do this if your skin is fully healed and not broken from the tattoo.
  
  
• To maintain sun protection, be sure to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when spending prolonged time in the sun.
  
• Wear UV-protective clothing over your tattoo when possible, particularly during peak sun hours (10 AM – 4 PM).

💡 Extra Tip: Tattoo UV damage is particularly common in fresh tattoos. During the initial few weeks of healing, stay completely out of direct sun.

2. Keep Your Skin Hydrated

Dry skin can make a tattoo look dull, dry, and not vibrant. Because tattoos are under your skin, keeping your skin healthy and moisturized is critical to help with their lifespan. 

✅ What to do:

• Apply a tattoo-safe moisturizer or a balm daily and especially after showering. Select fragrance-free lotions or natural oils such as shea butter or coconut oil. Note that Vaseline and other petroleum-based products can block oxygen and slow ink absorption. You can check our Laysen Tattoo Balm
  
  
• The key to gorgeous skin is to keep your body hydrated, drink enough water throughout the day. Skin that’s well-hydrated holds ink better and retains its elasticity.

💡 Extra Tip: For people who live in a dry or cold climate, putting a humidifier at home while sleeping can keep your skin from drying out too much.

3. Always follow the aftercare instructions.

Tattoo aftercare is integral to how your ink heals and stays vibrant. Poor healing can result in patchy fading, scarring, or ink loss, resulting in a tattoo that appears much older than it is. Many sources like HealthLine explain the full procedure in detail, but here are the key points you need to know.

✅ What to do:

• Wash your tattoo lightly with fragrance-free mild soap and lukewarm water. The preferred option is cold water because hot water tends to open the pores and lessen the ink.
  
  
• You should apply some sort of healing lotion suggested by your local tattoo artist. Steer away from lotions with alcohols, artificial fragrances, or too many chemicals which may irritate your skin.
  
  
• Do not soak your tattoo in water (so no swimming pools, hot tubs, or long baths) until it is completely healed. Exposure to water can dilute the ink and bring in bacteria.
  
  
• Do not scratch or peel your tattoo while healing. This action can dislodge ink particles and cause uneven fading.

💡 Extra Tip: Tattoo healing on the surface takes around 2–4 weeks, while internal healing may take months! Be patient and closely follow the aftercare instructions provided by your artist.

4. A Healthy Diet for Tattoos: Foods for Tattoo Longevity

Your diet has much to do with skin health, and since tattoo is part of your skin, how you eat can directly impact the vibrancy and permanence of tattoos. An unhealthy diet full of processed food, sugar, and alcohol will speed up the aging of your skin  and therefore the fading of your tattoo. 

✅ What to eat:

• Antioxidant foods (blueberries, spinach, dark chocolate) combat free radicals that can degrade ink.
  
  
• Healthy fats (think avocados, salmon, almonds) keep skin soft, hydrated, and elastic and can help prevent premature aging.
  
  
• Foods rich in vitamin C (oranges, kiwi, bell peppers) promote collagen, which helps keep the skin firm and healthy.
  
  
• Hydrating foods (cucumbers, watermelon, celery) keep up skin moisture, minimizing dryness and dullness.

❌ What to avoid:

• Flour and other sugar items and processed food can cause inflammation and faster aging of skin, which can make tattoos fade faster.
  
  
• Alcohol and caffeine dry out the skin, which in turn depletes it of moisture and makes it look dull.

💡 Extra Tip:To preserve skin elasticity and longevity, consider daily collagen supplements or green tea.

5. What If Your Tattoo Is Already Faded?

Get a Tattoo Touch-Up

The majority of tattoo artists will hold touch-up appointments to reapply ink, darken faded patches, and outline areas.

✅ What to do:

• Make an appointment with a professional tattoo artist to re-invigorate and fix any spots that are losing color.

💡 Extra Tip: If you go back to the same artist within a specific timeframe, a touch-up is generally free or low-cost.