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Are you thinking of getting a tattoo? Your new tattoo might look pretty awesome now, but have you ever wondered what it’d look like when you’re older? There are many reasons and factors why this happens, and many answers to the question of how tattoos age.
One way to keep your tattoo looking fresh and prevent it from aging is to ensure that you follow the proper healing procedures, as even the best tattoos can be affected by not taking proper care. Most parlors will advise you about care and tattoo aging, so make sure you pay attention!
As tempting as it might be, don't spend too much time touching your new tattoo idea that came to life, as this can lead to discoloration and infection. If your tattoo is new, then try to keep it out of the sunlight, even when it’s fully healed. Make sure you always moisturize your skin with the highest SPF sunscreen on any exposed tattoos whenever you’re out and about - this is a huge reminder for male tattoo owners :D
Finally, never forget to search for a highly skilled and qualified tattoo artist, as he is the one who will execute the work, making sure you won't regret it. Now scroll down below to find how some of the old tattoos look today—not all of them stood the test of time.
What Happens to Tattoos Over Time?
Image credits: Life-Of-Pix
When it comes to aging, the type of tattoo ink can make a big difference; for example, cheaper ink often fades much quicker than higher-quality alternatives.
The color of the ink makes a big difference, too, as the lighter the ink, the faster it fades (remember that next time you’re thinking about getting one of those white ink tattoos!). Another thing to consider is your tattoo's placement, as this can also influence the speed of fading.
Tattoos on areas that see a lot of activity, such as your feet and fingers, are much more likely to fade than tattoos on your back or chest, for example. Also, the design comes into play—the smaller and more intricate the tattoo’s detailing is, the more likely it is to get blurred years later.
If body art fades with time, what do tattoos look like when you get old? Well, check out this tattoo aging time-lapse compiled by Bored Panda to see for yourself how aged tattoos look now.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Aged Tattoo
#2
Tattoo 3 Years Later
#3
Tattoo 4 Years Later
#4
Fresh And Aged Tattoo
#5
Intricate Tattoo 10 Years Later
#6
Aged Finger Tattoo
When I had decided to get the tattoo done, I knew that the area was not ideal and that the tattoo would fade at some point. I made a point to follow the aftercare instructions "to a T". My expectation was that I would have this tattoo for longer than a week.
Martha Liebenberg 7 years ago
It's called a blowout. Happens when the needle goes too deep into the skin. Fingers are very hard to do, the skin is flimsy. It could happen the most skilled artists. It's just a poor choice in placement. That's all.
#7
Back Tattoo After Healing
Dalie Pohankova 7 years ago
Just to make it clear - difference between those pictures is 3 years, 5 times change of hair color and some photoshop in both pictures. In real, my tattoo still looks good and almost the same. Good shot but not even close to reality.
#8
Tattoo 4 Years Later
#9
Aged Wrist Tattoo
Michel M. Prins 7 years ago
Interesting tribal design. A quick touch up should do the trick, that's the nice part about a tribal tattoo
#10
Small Tattoo After 7 Years
#11
Detailed Tattoo After Healing
#12
Celtic Tattoo 15 Years Later
Michel M. Prins 7 years ago
The dark tone of the current one actually compliments the fact that it should represent an ancient Celtic symbol. Giving it a touch-up would be nice, but won't be all that necessary
#13
Aged Tattoo
#14
Aged Neck Tattoo
Allyson Genthner-Thiessen 7 years ago
sunscreen, people. Reds and oranges will hot hold up to UV light.
#15
Tiny Aged Tattoo
Luc Mailloux 7 years ago
Where on the body is this? Context would be great... Looks like the foot to me, which would make this fading make perfect sense.
#16
Aged Hand Tattoos
#17
Aged Shark Tattoo
#18
Aged Mouth Tattoo
#19
Finger Tattoos Months Later
#20
Aged Palm Tattoo
#21
Finger Tattoo 6 Weeks Later
Crazy Cow Lady 7 years ago
This one almost looks intentional, like the words really disappearing, like they do on the map.
#22
Heel Tattoo Aging
#23
Aged Tattoo
#24
Faded Tattoo
#26
Faded Palm Tattoo
#27
Fresh And Aged Tattoo
#28
Aged Tattoo
#29
1-Month-Old Tattoo
#30
Aging Of A Finger Tattoo
#31
Small Aged Tattoo
Most Popular Questions About Aging Tattoos
Despite ink changing over the years, this doesn't mean old people with tattoos look bad. We have answered some of the most popular questions about tattoo aging, so you can be more prepared.
Do Tattoos Fade Away When You Get Older?
Many people wonder what will happen to their tattoos as they age. Will they fade away or lose their vibrancy? The answer depends on several factors. Your tattoo may begin to fade due to aging skin, natural skin cell renewal, ultraviolet rays, ink quality, and poor tattoo aftercare.
Have you ever seen an old person with tattoos? As you probably noticed, they may become blurry, dull, or wrinkled, while others maintain their look longer. Generally, tattoos on old people's skin tend to fade more than on younger ones because the aging skin loses collagen and elasticity, causing it to stretch and sag.
Additionally, factors such as diet, weight gain, weight loss, and smoking can also affect the appearance of tattoos. Some tattoo styles, such as watercolor or colorful tattoos, may be more prone to fading than black or tribal tattoos.
Therefore, before getting tattoos, consider these factors and choose a design that will age well. Prevent tattoo aging by taking good care of it by applying sunscreen, moisturizing, and avoiding infections. By doing so, you can enjoy your tattoo for many years.
What Are the Possible Options to Consider With an Old Tattoo?
Ultimately, a tattoo is a part of your skin and will change as you change. You could find yourself getting a tattoo cover-up, a new tattoo that hides the old one, or a laser removal.
However, both options can be expensive, painful, and risky and may not guarantee a perfect result. A touch-up is a great way to refresh the beauty and brightness of your tattoo. Still, it should be done by a professional and experienced tattoo artist, as a bad touch-up can ruin your tattoo even more.
How Do Fine Line Tattoos Age?
Fine line tattoos are a popular tattoo style created using a single needle and has thinner and more delicate lines. This technique is often used for small tattoos or small details in larger tattoos.
However, fine line tattoos are more prone to fading, blurring, and distortion over time, leaving you with a design that looks very different from the original.
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What do you think ?
Karen Girard 7 years ago
You people apparently just have s**t artists 😂😂😂 I've had some of my tattoos for over 10 years and people still ask me if they're new 🙌🏻
Crazy Cow Lady 7 years ago
I find some of these hard to believe. I've had a tattoo for 8 years now and it looks as good as the day I got it. Even the artist was amazed by how good my color has held up. But then again everyone has different skin types and different methods for tattoo care.
Bianca Bianchini 7 years ago
but if your tat artist was surprised at how well it held up, doesn't that suggest they usually don't? Hence the above happens?
Load More Replies...
Brigita Zemen 7 years ago
just pick a good artist and take care of your tattoo (like use sunscreen etc.) and you´re perfectly fine.. tattoo-590...e82e93.png 
Karen Girard 7 years ago
You people apparently just have s**t artists 😂😂😂 I've had some of my tattoos for over 10 years and people still ask me if they're new 🙌🏻
Crazy Cow Lady 7 years ago
I find some of these hard to believe. I've had a tattoo for 8 years now and it looks as good as the day I got it. Even the artist was amazed by how good my color has held up. But then again everyone has different skin types and different methods for tattoo care.
Bianca Bianchini 7 years ago
but if your tat artist was surprised at how well it held up, doesn't that suggest they usually don't? Hence the above happens?
Load More Replies... Brigita Zemen 7 years ago
just pick a good artist and take care of your tattoo (like use sunscreen etc.) and you´re perfectly fine.. tattoo-590...e82e93.png
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