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Thinking Of Getting A Tattoo? These 35 Pics Reveal How Tattoos Age Over Time
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Your new tattoo might look pretty awesome now, but have you ever wondered what it'd look like when you're older? Well, check out this list compiled by Bored Panda to see for yourself how aged tattoos look over time.
There are many reasons why this happens and many answers to the question of how tattoos age. The type of tattoo ink can make a big difference, for example, with cheaper ink often fading 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 the placement of your tattoo, as this can also influence the speed of fading. Tattoos on areas that see a lot of activity, such as your feet and your fingers, are much more likely to fade more quickly than tattoos on your back or chest, for example. Also, the tattoo design comes into play, too - the smaller and more intricate the detailing is, the more chance it will get blurred years later. And never forget to search for a highly skilled and qualified tattoo artist, as he is the one who will execute the work itself.
One way to keep your tattoo looking fresh 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! Also, 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. Finally, if your tattoo is new, then try to keep it out of the sun, and even when it's fully healed, make sure you always wear the highest SPF sunscreen on any exposed tattoos whenever you're out and about.
Now scroll down below and check how do old tattoos look - not all of them stood the test of time.
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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.
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.
Aged Wrist Tattoo
Interesting tribal design. A quick touch up should do the trick, that's the nice part about a tribal tattoo
Celtic Tattoo 15 Years Later
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
Aged Neck Tattoo
sunscreen, people. Reds and oranges will hot hold up to UV light.
Tiny Aged Tattoo
Where on the body is this? Context would be great... Looks like the foot to me, which would make this fading make perfect sense.
Aged Hand Tattoos
Aged Palm Tattoo
Finger Tattoo 6 Weeks Later
This one almost looks intentional, like the words really disappearing, like they do on the map.
Fresh And Aged Tattoo
You people apparently just have shit artists 😂😂😂 I've had some of my tattoos for over 10 years and people still ask me if they're new 🙌🏻
Bingo.
Lol I don't even have a tattoo and was thinking that too
same here, it depends on the artist and how deep the ink is and the type of ink used, my half sleeve looks like i just got it but ive had it for about 10yrs.
I was gonna say something similar, probably the ones that faded super fast (like the lipstick one which honestly that probably did you a favor that was one of the shittiest tats Ive ever seen) the artist probably just put the ink to close to the highest layer of skin
Actually. If you go deep you hit the fat layer and the ink just spreads out into a blob. Every see old men with old tattoos? Looks like a blob. In old days they went deep. Thinking it wld last longer.
Sammy Bradford easy
Karen Girard -
Yea sure and how are you going to prove that you liar!
Exactly!
And some does not understad high wear areas like fingers and forearms. Feet are also a high wear area.... If you sunbathe alot, that will also fade tatoos alot.
I aged they must have shit artist I've had mine for some time mine still like new but you got to look after them i use knives men cream thinly works for me
Terry Gorman haha
Yeah, it depends on how good the artist is. I've had some for over 20 years and they still look new. My daughter has a very colorful one on her entire arm and even though it's nearly a decade old, it looks brand new. That's why you pick the artist very carefully!
Let' see?
Gabriel Mazariegos no
Wow, like the people in these photos are reading your comment?
Suzanne Anderson yes
That's exactly what I thought!!
I was gonna comment something similar I dont have any yet but most these people probably had shit artist who put the layer of ink to close to the highest layer of skin...
Avoiding sun on the ink helps as well. I wrote a similar comment to yours. Cheers Karen.
Make War No More -
exactly...bored pandas. Thay cannot reach a good picture if is not on google images ( first page if possible). Anyway, I'm glad facebook people can see what happens when you try to get a cheap tattoo in a drunk night. Still i have to take 20 minutes to explain a costumer why small tattoos are not a good choice...and still they want the bad choice.
It varies a lot with skin types. You might just be lucky and have the suitable genes for long lasting ink.
Kevin Kremitz follower
Has nothing to do with good genes dumbass. Unless you have a severe skin condition tattoos should age just fine. It’s the aftercare that goes into them that decides how good they look.
I noticed some are not even the same person/ tat !!
Rebecca Westenberger no
My worst tattoo is 30+ years old, from the Days Before Sunscreen. My use of it, that is! The rest look GOOD,
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.
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?
Color normally fades. It depends on the quality of ink, how deep the tat is, how well your skin holds the ink. Example, just a simple quick note jotted on my hand in basic pen ink takes almost a week to fully wash off my skin. This includes using pumous soaps and scrubing. The knowledge of the artist is a factor as well. Tattoo artists expect to see this happen. When it doesnt or doesnt happen at the normal rate yeah they are suprised. I have one with a very vibrant blue. Got it 9 years ago. It still looks the same. Yes, ive had other artists ask how old it is and yes, they are suprised at how much color is still in the tat with no touch ups done.
Erinn Fitzmaurice good
It suggest they don't hold up as well, not that they look like the shit tattoos in these photos.
we always know what is going to happen when the client makes a bad choice, that's why we freak out when finger tattoos actually stay. Which i don't understand is why everybody know more than a tattooer, i wish I could know more that a doctor when I have no fucking idea what a bypass is or how is it performed, or more than my mechanic...when I have never fix a car in my entire life. Some people is just born too smart.
I've heard, but cannot confirm that the paler your skin is + your personal sunscreen usage dramatically affect the integrity of tattoos.
I'm very pale, and I never expose my tattoos to sun without sunscreen on. I buy high zinc sunscreens or ones designed for tattoos.
My back piece looks exactly the same as the day I got it (without the redness of course) but, I am fairly pale and wear SPF 50+
I have several large all color (no black) flower tattoos on my chest/shoulder/back. They still look very good and are about 5 years old now. I am very pale (red head) and use sun screen religiously.
Raul your grammar is horrendous
That's exactly what we tell to the people together with the after care instructions. They make problems to pay the tattoo...but actually they don't care if it gets screwed...because people is so smart that thinks we are bored and like to look like important people and that's why we tell them to take care of their tattoo properly. Here the clue: people who don't care about getting a tattoo ( "my friend is doing it, so am I) normally don't care about the after care and they even laugh on your face. Good their tattoos fade away, the tattoo god exists.
If your artist was amazed by how well it held up, shouldn't that tip you off that most tattoos do not?
Raul your grammar is horrendous
Not really, all tattoos will usually fade a bit. It is more of a tattoo "settling into the skin". So some of the vibrancy tones down. Some people keep the vibrancy which does not always happen. I worked in a tattoo shop and have many tattoos. They all still look awesome, even the older ones. The pictures this page used are not really accurate for what they wanted to convey. If it is a bad tattoo or on the pads of hands, feet or fingers it is not going to stay without touch ups, sometimes quite a few.
Mel Peters follower
totally wrong. Try finding out why Donal Trump has all your money, that's less than a mystery.
You can tell some pics are just photoshopped. Suddenly the girl her skintone is lighter as well. And I don't mean just a little bit.... (ie: pic 11, pic 12, ...)
Jürgen Magnus +
Raul your grammar is horrendous
Old people's tattoos age very poorly due to lack of elasticity & aging of the skin & underlying tissues, I agree that some artists are much better than others & their tattoos remain clear & vibrant longer. Some inked people have special oils that they apply to their inked areas that help as well. Working with doctors, we are finding more & more laser surgeries to remove tattoos , especially on face & neck.
old people's tattoos are done long time a go, different technics, materials, and again...long time a go. And they look rad, because they are real. Done when people was not all the time asking "is it gonna hurt? is it gonna hurt?.
Could the quality of inks used by the tattoo artist also affect the aging of the tat?
Quality of the ink, quality of the artist, quality of the design all affect how the piece will age.
yes poor ink -poor result/ good artist-good tattoo and vice versa I'm a tattooist my colour work still looks good 10 yrs on the examples on here look bad more due to placement i.e. fingers near soles of feet lips and palms…. a good tattooist would tell you to expect the tattoo to fall out in these places its not due to ink or skill…. just the fact the body parts go through more abrasive movement than say a thigh or an arm. very old colour tattoos i.e. the ones u see on older people have faded due to sun exposure and the fact ink wasn't as good back in the day as it is now.
just pick a good artist and take care of your tattoo (like use sunscreen etc.) and you´re perfectly fine.. tattoo-590...e82e93.png
It even look prettier after 2yrs!
Hopefully ypu see this, I'm curious who your artist was. That's lovely.