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.
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, 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 than tattoos on your back or chest, for example. Also, the design comes into play, too—the smaller and more intricate the tattoo’s detailing is, the more chance it will 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.
Aged Tattoo
Tattoo 3 Years Later
Tattoo 4 Years Later
Fresh And Aged Tattoo
Intricate Tattoo 10 Years Later
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.
Sylvia is right, this is not a blowout. A blow out is exactly what it sounds like, the ink in the neat, straight lines "blows out" and spreads out from the original location. It literally looks like the ink is spreading and bleeding outwards. This is caused from all the wear and tear, washing, bending, creasing, and rubbing that our hands and fingers go through.
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Hummmmm......Same peeling nail polish and less polish in the photo ........
Skin wears on hands and feet. Tattoo artists will tell you that first thing
My tattoo artist told me that he doesn't do finger tattoos at all because they fade really fast and can't really be inked again.
Why not? I'm just curios as I think wedding ring tattoos are nice. You can't touch them up?
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This actually looks more like a ball pen drawing than a real tattoo...
Fading of tattoos is part of the body's protective mechanism. The body's response to any foreign body is to try and break it down, then pass it out through the blood stream. This process starts as soon as the ink is injected under the skin. Where the skin is thinner, the natural immune process can work more effectively. Red and yellow inks are most susceptible to being broken down.
My husband uses to tattoo. Tattoo 101. Hands are very hard for ink to stay in. If you get a tattoo on your hand, sometimes they will tell you it's not an ideal place.
My tattoo artist told me before I got my finger tattoo that it could likely not hold and don't be surprised if it doesn't. I chose to get it anyway. Luckily mine still looks perfect but I kept it covered almost the entire time it was healing. But any good, honest artist is going to forewarn you that finger tattoos can fall out. If it does, it's on you then.
Of course this is going to happen on a finger!!! My finger tat is going 5 years strong slightly faded but of course it will fade and wear its on your finger. Everyones skin is different.
It didn't even look "fresh" in the first picture so I wouldn't expect it to look very good down the road tbh. Tattoos on your fingers or the palm of your hands will inevitably fade very quickly. It's kind of common sense.
Your feet and hands are a poor choice in placement unless you are okay with them quickly exfoliating.
What a s**t article. How about: * You get what you pay for. Know your artist. * The more you expose your skin to the sun, the more ink gets bleached and tank skin hides detail * The thinner the skin, the harder it will be on details * Your artist should give you tips on how to keep your ink looking good while it heals. Do that. I have pieces just as old as these that are crisp and clean with defined lines and curves because I treat my work right when I get it. I get it in places that will hold ink well and my artist is amazing. With no context you said 'Tattoos get old and suck' which is so ignorant.
fingers band and twist and are used all the time. if you go to any reputable tattoo artist he'll tell you finger placement isnt the best placement
Wow, that's REALLY bad! The worst I've seen! I think I would probably demand some sort of redo or another tattoo. Unless she was warned, in detail.
Best case scenario, I've had a home made finger tattoo in the same place (pen ink & a needle wrapped in thread) for 20+ years and I WISH it faded away.
Ten years and the dude in this picture still has not figured out how to paint their nails, trust me, a nifty tattoo on their finger is the least of their worries of "adulting."
finger tats notoriously do this and anyone worth their salt would tell the client that.
It's all about the quality of Ink and your skin texture. I have my entire hand done,my fingers have been done for close to 8 years and i have mayb 2 small areas faded (obove my pinky knuckle and below my thumb knuckle-which I put down to work)otherwise it looks great. I obviously have good skin and I know a amazeballs tattooist!!
When you consider how much one uses their hands, it becomes obvious that the skin on hands is going to "turn-over" much more quickly than on other parts of the body. Older skin gets rubbed off and replaced much faster on hands and fingers.
This is a bloody mess. Reading other comments, it seems like the tattoo artist failed badly. I bet it was both painful & expensive. This is ridiculous after one week. Admittedly, I know next to nothing about this form of art, but still, one blinking week!!
One week! ?? Get you're money back, the tattoo artist owes you that at the very least. Or a redo...you should have been forewarned about placement. Sorry it blurred so badly. I am sure it wasn't inexpensive in the first place. 😓
this isnt blown out,,its not the artist going too light,,its a tattoo on the side of a finger,,its generally a bad idea to put one there,,ive been tattooing for 26 years and its plain and simple,,finger tattoos generally dont last very long or age well,,your skin there exfoliates at such a high rate that it fades over the years or just heal correctly right from the beginning,,,,before i tattoo a finger like this i give the client all the info on how its gonna be a pain in the a*s to heal or have it look sharp forever, icall it the hand and foot lecture and if they wanna waste their money after my lecture and get it,,no problem but its not guaranteed like it would be on "normal skin"
Is there a best color for a finger tattoo? Like traditional blue or black ink?
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As explained to me by a tattoo artist when I was interested in a finger tattoo....becuase we use our hands for everything... working, washing dishes etc. The skin basically sheds off several times more than the skin in other areas of the body. Think about how much your hands are wet, how many times they are washed, how many chemicals they come into contact with when cleaning or at some jobs, how dry they get during part a of the year. The skin of the hand and fingers will flake off and or replenish several times more often due to those factors and that is why tattoos will fade and most especially on the fingers that can virtually be erased.
Back Tattoo After Healing
Tattoo 4 Years Later
Aged Wrist Tattoo
Interesting tribal design. A quick touch up should do the trick, that's the nice part about a tribal tattoo
Small Tattoo After 7 Years
Detailed Tattoo After Healing
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 Tattoo
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 Shark Tattoo
Aged Mouth Tattoo
Finger Tattoos Months Later
Aged Palm Tattoo
Finger Tattoo 6 Weeks Later
This one almost looks intentional, like the words really disappearing, like they do on the map.
Heel Tattoo Aging
Aged Tattoo
Faded Tattoo
Faded Palm Tattoo
Fresh And Aged Tattoo
Aged Tattoo
1-Month-Old Tattoo
Aging Of A Finger Tattoo
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.
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 🙌🏻
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?
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just pick a good artist and take care of your tattoo (like use sunscreen etc.) and you´re perfectly fine.. tattoo-590...e82e93.png 
Some of these tattoos were s****y to begin with and others almost looked like they were s****y copies of the original that some hack artist tried to do
These are not good tatoo artist. I have had my tatoo on my back for 15 years and still looks great, still have all color and doesnt look faded.
I've had to retouch a couple of my tats but I have one that looks like I just got it and I got it almost 20yrs ago!!! Most of these looked like s**t tattoos to begin with and depending on what part of the body it won't stand the test of time. Research your artist and check out their portfolio before getting one and then follow the after care instructions to a tee!!! Don't forget to wear sunscreen when you go out cuz the sun will damage it too. 🐧🐧
There seems to be a few things not being mentioned when it comes to right choice of tattoo and upkeep 1) 'watercolour' tattoos are the first to fade and need constant touch ups due to the delicate strokes of colour and the lack of outline 2) yellow, orange, red and pinks are the FIRST colours to fade because the human body naturally has a lot of these pigments therefore those patches will have a faster regeneration of cells 3) Placement is everything, if you go for a finger, foot, inside your mouth or, god-forbid, a tongue tattoo; it will fade incredibly fast due to how much contact those have with not only the outside world, but your own body! 5) skin is elastic, it stretches and grows over time along with us; so if you have a design with a lot of negative space and light shading, the negative space will consume the original design. On the other hand, if the negative space is too thin between solid block shading, the ink with naturally bleed into that negative space. think about it!
Sorry, replying on something you wrote 3 years ago 😂
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I'm an apprentice at a tattoo shop and I have to say This is actually not very accurate how a tattoo holds up is dependant on where it is how you take care of it (not just as its healing) and whether or not your artist knows what they're doing. Not to mention ink has come a long way in the last ten years
Some people here really are in denial, no matter how well you care for it, no matter how good your artist is or where you placed it your tattoo WILL fade. Unless you want to go ahead and deny basic biology. It's preposterous to say your tattoo is still as good as it was fresh, you're only fooling yourself or just think it's still the same. It's not. To the person saying her tattoo is still as good as it was 10 years ago, you're are so full of it or just plain ignorant.
Of course it will fade, no onws denying it, but not in couple of months or even years. Needing to re-touch after 10 years Is completely normal...
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#1 damage to tattoos is sun. Ultraviolet rays breakdown ink more than anything. Sunscreen..... I have tattoos 15 years old that look new.
I know few artists who doesn't work over the summer for this very reason...
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Oh my goodness!! True some are real and have faded... But lets get real here! Some are marker! Some are drawn on... And there are at least 2 that are not even the same damn tat!
One half are not the same person and the other half got laser treatments! -.-
Things fade, bodies fall apart, we age? Why didn't someone tell me before now?!?!?!
People don't understand that you can get your tattoo touched up when it fades. I've got one that I've had for 10 years and just got touched up, looks as good as when I got :) Also, these people in the photos clearly didn't go to a very good artists, most of the tattooss are pretty bad to begin with. And never worn sun screen :/
There seems to be a few things not being mentioned when it comes to right choice of tattoo and upkeep 1) 'watercolour' tattoos are the first to fade out and need constant touch ups due to the delicate strokes of colour and the lack of outline 2) yellow, orange read and brilliant pinks are the FIRST colours to fade nbecause the human body naturally has a lot of these therefore those patch will have a faster generation of cells 3) Placement is everything, if you go for a finger, foot or inside your mouth or, god-forbid, a tounge tattoo; it will fade incredibly fast due to how much contact those appendages have with not only the outside world, but your own body! 5) skin is elastic, it stretches and grows over time along with us; so if you have a design with a lot of negative space and light shading, the negative space with consume the original design. On the other hand, if the negative space is too thin between solid block shading, the ink with naturally bleed into that negative space.
Come on guys this is b******t,I have my tattoos many years now and they are still like new...probably your tattooer is s**t with s**t ink
Does the writer want us to believe, some of these are the same tats!?!?! Give me a break!!!
most of those are marker and one isn't even the same as the before
"omg i got a tattoo on my finger and it faded super fast, tattoos suck" or you got a tattoo on a part of your body that you use constantly and you failed to do any upkeep bc you dont have any idea how tattoos work. also wow the yellow and white faded ...what a surprise.
Skin does stretch and we do get older. We don't always have tight skin like we will never always have a perfect tattoo after so many years. I am still gonna get tattoos IDGAF.
Um ya I don't know how some of these healed their tats but clearlysomething went wrong. And you can always get your tat touched up so if you haven't and it's been some time then duh your tat is gonna look a bit faded
So... Most of these were either shoddy work or on the hands/feet. Of course they look terrible later. I've had many tattoos and for quite some time. The concept, artist, and placement are key factors in any tattoo.
If you get tattoos on your inner lip, palm or fingers of course they are going to fade fast that's just common sense! Did you really think they would last forever? Now tattoos anywhere else might require up keep from time to time. Just depends on how you take care of them.
My back tattoo (7years old) and leg tattoo (5y.o.) still look pretty much the same from when they were fresh. Tattoo on my foot (6y.o.) is fading a tiny bit but that's probably got to with placement and wearing socks&shoes a lot.
Also got a full-sleeve in progress, but that's being worked on for the past 4years so... can't really say anything about that :P
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Your tattoos may fade and suffer harm to their look from sunburn and repeated exposure to UVB radiation. Because UVA rays reach deeper layers of our skin, they are equally harmful to tattoos. Long-term effects of tattoos include wrinkles, sagginess, and early aging. For this reason, rather than committing to a permanent one, I like to use the temporary ones from https://wannabeink.com/collections/under-breast.
Most of those comments are "It's not that bad" or "I still like it". lol stop coping, all of them look like c**p, even though it's obvious that some tats were done by good artists. I actually like this post because it shows you the reality. Even good artists can't guarantee you a perfect result. We age, we lose weight we gain weight, skin loses elasticity, pigments get metabolized, etc. You go in, you decide whether you want to take the risks.
No way!! I've had some of my tattoos for over 15years and they still look very good!!and also the colors still there!not faded away like from the pics!
There are sooo many bad placements that artists and anyone who has gotten more than one tattoo would know is bad and would know that they would have to get touched up. Plus a lot of the "later" pictures look unfocused and have bad lighting like they were trying to make them look bad. Any hand and foot tattoo will have wearing. A lip tattoo needs touch up every 6 months to a year. Small lettering will always show the worst after time, that's why a lot of artists won't do it. If you don't wear sunscreen then certain colors will fade hard. And honestly a lot of these pictures just need a touch up and they will be fine. Skin wears away people. If you loose or gain weight your skin will stretch. This is tattoo 101 c**p. I hate articles like these, because the writer just throws a lot of BS together and gives no guidelines or context. This could've been a great article on tattoo upkeep, but the writer was just lazy and wanted a little click bait for people who don't know c**p about tattoos!
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Some of them you can tell there not the same tattoo I didn't think tattoo can flip change direction or size
I've had a single tattoo for about 4-5 years and it still looks brand new. The colour is still bright, the black is still dark and the picture still looks sharp.
Problems with these tattoos are: 1) bad placement- fingers, palms, lips, heels- tattoos here never lasts, it's lots of pain for nothing 2) bad aftercare. At least couple of these were caused by the klient, there is obvious lack of care after tattooing 3) bad artists. If the tattoo looks shady And bad when it's fresh, it's never gonna heal nicely....
I have learned that not all tattoo ink is created equal. A cheap ink will fade and spread much fast than a bottle that is expensive, hence, you get what you pay for!
I did this and it is 2 years healed in the photo, on the middle of the back hence the pores.
Your article is all wrong, these are just not good tattoos. 4D9A7CBA-E...a-jpeg.jpg 
THIS article is wrong! You have just posted work that was not done well, also Including a lot of areas of the body where it needs to be incredibly specific with depth of the ink such as (aside of fingers, palms, heels, lip) most professionals cannot get it deep enough in these areas but there are some who can because it is also based on the tattoo machines.
Yes tattoos lighten and spread over time but only a small amount.
There are a lot of terrible tattooists out there, but a lot of fantastic ones aswell. Protecting your tattoo from the sun is very important too!
Here’s one I did that is 2 years healed in the photo. Tattoo is on middle of the back hence the pores :) AE7CCD36-8...2-jpeg.jpg 
wow, they had better cameras with real color and not blurry or over exposure before, woooow. This is so misleading.... you don't like tattoos, we get it.
and yeah, don't tattoo your fingers or palms. ink tends to dissapear there.
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In most cases these look like the ink was s**t, and the artist wasn't very experienced... Regardless, this is definitely not representative of how most tattoos last. It's misleading to title this "These 35 Pics Reveal How Tattoos Age Over Time" and then only pick tattoos that have not aged well... I have had my oldest tattoo for nine years and it still looks as beautiful as it did when it first healed.
So, I just wanted to post my aging tattoos. And I don’t think they’re bad at all. Not sure if it’s because of the artists I’ve used or my skin🤷🏻♀️
Here is my first tat I got on my 30th birthday. My bff called me that morning and asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday and I said I want a tattoo. So every decade birthday I planned to get one. 40 was Felix the Cat, I just got two last week to catch up. My first one looks just like it did when I got it 30 years ago. I think some of these tat artists may not be the best they can be. pams-tatto...13-png.jpg 
Some of these aren't even the same tattoos. Lines don't magically move and colors don't change from blue to brown.
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this is all b******t. So many of the before and after pics are NOT of the same person. Yes tattoos fade. But this is b******t because they are NOT of the same tattoos. F*****g bull.
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My god, people are irrationally angry over something that doesn't affect them at all. Faded tattoos isn't the end of the world. You just touch them up or watch them age because they represent memories. Or you cover them with something else. Certain tattoos are gonna fade faster, and people are usually aware of that.
Tattoos are like anything else, they require maintenance. I have touch ups done on mine if and when they need it and they all still look fabulous. Think about placement, color, and size beforehand, and then research reputable talented artists and you should have no problems.
My first tattoo, 32 years old, looks twice as nice as most of those damn tats. I do have a newer one that once was black roses but 30 years later looks like rotten cabbage. It depends on the artist and if they know their profession.
I have a friend who got a tattoo for many years and it is still fresh as the first day he got it. I think maybe it depends on where the tattoo shop you go. You get what you pay for.
most tattoo artist do free touch ups. some of these are YEARS later and obviously its not going to look as it did the day you got it. thats why they do touch ups
People do realise that tattoos have to touched up every few years right? Skin isn't a very good canvas.
I have 3 tattoo's one is 6 years old, the other is 4 years old and another is 2 years old and they all still look fresh , But I used a good artist and followed the after care instructions to a T. Didn't go swimming for at least a month, limited exposure to the sun (although with my shoulder one that has been a little more challenging....still looks great) kept well moisturized while healing etc. Some of these looks poorly placed/or poorly done or both. One even looked more like magin marker than a real tattoo.
FAKE ASSS FARRK some of these are two different tattoos ... like someone has just tried to copy the same artwork and didnt get as good a quality and some even changed spots on the body...
just because you lot got tattoos dont mean you look good,it means you was foolish once in your life
People get so offended when the fact that tattoos fade gets presented. Nobody is stopping anyone from getting a tattoo and why are you guys defending it like fading doesn't occur, and like it's a legal right? 😅 It's just a series of pictures about colors that fade!
It also depends on your skin and the color of the ink. Red doesn't stay for s**t in anybody so if you get red it's going to need to be touched up every so often but I have very vibrant colors from 10+ years ago that still look new today. Alot of it too has to do with peach fuzz too. If you shave the area of your tattoo it removes the blonde hairs and also can make the tattoo look newer.
Bull shot it's how you look after them you can't just get a tattoo and then forget about it
I think the quality of the ink and tools the tattoo artist uses makes a big difference as well as their skill level. Ongoing after care, like using some sunscreen especially on your colored pieces would help too. And common sense should tell you, a tattoo placed on the feet or palm on the hand/fingers may not hold up too well and requires touch ups
What the hell are these people doing to their tattoos? My oldest tattoo is 12 years old and the colors are still nice. Here's a tip though.......STAY OUT OF THE SUN! I see so many people with beautiful ink in the sun. Use at least SPF 50 and reapply reapply reapply.
I got this 27 years ago. Seems to me that it's just fine. I think it's all about the quality of work. Sorry about the picture, had to take it myself. My-Tat-595...615287.jpg 
Any decent tattoo artist will advice you against certain designs and placement if they know they won't last. Also, you've got to talk to them about after care. Different artists use different ink, and therefore heal differently!
Location, location, location... and aftercare! It's also called touch-ups people
Some areas fade because of the skin, especially lip, heels, and hands. Maybe you should put more thought into where you want tats or go to get touch ups
I agree with Karen, I have one on my wrist that was done 12yrs ago and everyone is always complementing me on it cuz it still looks good, including the color
All tattoos look bold and sharp before they heal. Colour tattoos fade faster and more brasher than black and whites, also being in the sun constantly makes a huge difference. In the case of a big colour piece like the unicorn on the back, you are usually expected to go back in for touch ups to keep it bold and popping. The lights error on the finger was unfortunate, bit it didn't really look like the artist had managed to get the ink under the sub dermal layer. My tattoo is a half sleeve geometric pattern and it's held up perfectly. Just a stupid article.
Ok first of all ink has made fantastic strides in some of those 15 yo tattoos.....also who knows if the artist knew what he/she was doing. There are additional types of skins that hold black and grey better than color. A good tattoo artist can do better for you than some stupid click bait.
Okayyy... well first off some of these were due to artist error of not going deep enough or just not great in the first place. Either that, or the client didn't take good enough care of the tattoo in the healing process, which can turn a great piece of artwork done, into something that looks like s**t. Second the one with small a*s letters.... usually they don't go that small for the fact that tattoos do fade over time and skin stretches from growth or weight change. And often times tattoos will need a touch up from fading.... please remember ur skin is constantly shedding layers.... not a lot but over a few years time it might be less dark. ANOTHER THING for the tattoo on the finger.... hand tattoos are known to fade super fast for the fact it's in a place that is constantly being used and rubbing, I have one on mine. And I knew before I got it there that it would do that because my tattoo artist informed me to make sure I realized and wouldn't be unhappy later on when I needed it tou
why am i not surprised that tattoos on fingers fade very fast? i was told repeatedly that palms, soles, and fingers are places that cannot hold a tattoo for long, if at all...... hell, most tattoo artist i know refuse to even do palms, fingers, ankles and soles (among other places like anywhere under the waistband of underwear)
You have to use sunscreen on your tattoo or the sun will fade it. Also, colors like yellow orange and red do not hold as well so they have to be done a few times which sucks and hurts like a b***h. Touch-ups are always needed and should be done to maintain. Nothing is forever. (Except taxes. Taxes are forever and the IRS will find you. Just saying...)
these go to show what shoddy tattoo artists do with your money. you get what you pay for.
Some of this pic have been switched around to make it seem that the coloring has faded, and some others with the red glow are just the bruising that you expect for a weekish after getting a new tat. TOTAL GARBAGE
Tattoos on hands, lips don't last long. Colours fade, which is why I don't have colour tattoos... and the ones that look really s**t after time, looked s**t when they were done! Get a decent tattoo artist!
Moral of the story...you get what you pay for...invest in a decent artist and the work will look good for decades. My sleeves are working on being 10 yrs old and still rocking it
S9me look like they had lazer removal on them or used bleaching tattoo removal cream others are common sense finger and palm and feet etc fade fast with out proper maintenance plus sometimes you need touch up or you went to a s****y artist
I'm not a fan of tattoos; however, I quickly noticed that the after photos were either taken through a filter, in black and white, or slightly unfocused If you are going to try to make a credible argument against tattoos then it helps to be truthful.
it all matters on the location, the skin care, the artist...period. I have had a tattoo for 12 years that looks like the day I got it because I take care of my skin and I had a professional, experienced, amazing artist. I do have on on my wrist that was done by a friend and has faded because he was not professional and it's in the bend of my wrist so the ink faded, i will have it covered and redone at some point.
Some of these might be real but some are not if you look closely to the last one the writing is similar but different. The curve in the D and Y is different.
I had mine for 14 years before i had it touched .. it didn't really need touched but a friend wanted to get a tattoo and didn't want to get it alone so since mine had a few lines with broken spots here and there where a pimple came up (i'm a picker other wise it would have been fine ) I had it retouched It was stone work .. so a lot of grey shading and lines with the odd little splash of color and it looked great even 14 years later even the tiny spec of blue that was in the statues eyes was still clearly visible and my tattoo is maybe 3 inches by 4 inches . My husband on the other hand Has a dragon on each arm same area .. but he has a completely different skin type then me and his have bled together really bad and we both had them done at the same studio but by different artists in different years
A good third of these are clearly scratchers, another third are in places that don't hold worth a s**t. Saw a couple watercolor tattoos... not a single traditional tattoo to be found in this "article". Maybe let the tattooers write about tattooing?
This is absoloute bollocks. A tattoo staying fresh and vibrant requires so many different things it's unreal. Not only must you make sure that your artist uses good ink and they know their craft, but the placement is important. I've got a little tattoo on my ankle that has faded slightly because of footwear, etc. But the tattoos on my arms, wrist, calfs, are still fresh and some I've had for over two years. The after care is important as well, make sure you care for it like an open wound and keep it clean until healed otherwise it'll scab and fade. And if you do have a tattoo in bad placement (like a finger) or with colour, they do require touch ups. Tattoo artists will tell you this. Tattoos can be effected by natural elements and colour fades much quicker than black ink. Do your research. 😒
#32 isn't even the same tattoo. The lines are different. These people just have s**t tattoos made by s**t artists.
I had my eyebrows and eye liner done. Had it touched up less than a year later. Almost as expensive as the original tats. It all faded away in less than 3 years and I didn't even want to know how much it would cost to have it done again. I did this in 2006 and it was almost $l,000 way back then.
Wow is all i can say some s****y work of u ask me also to me some pretty painfull places to recive one just to have it fade so soon after some of them
Ya arm tattoos will fade upperback one face tattoos how fast depends on you. Ive had all my tats on my arms 15 plus years, but shaving my arms an lotion 4 or 5 times a day kept them looking great and they are done by a great artist.plus color will fade from sun dmg like anything you have up keep
The longevity of your tattoo's depend on three main factors: 1.) Your skin; some skin hold ink well (or colors), others not so much 2.) Quality of the ink used: Use s****y ink, expect it to fade 3.) The Sun. Why the sun you ask? Constant exposure to the sun will cause your artwork to fade at an increased rate. I got my first Tattoo in 1992, and yes it has started to noticeably "bleed" since my first was an antique style script writing. But I do one very important thing.... keep out of the sun as much as humanly possible. If I am out and about, I keep them covered. My last tattoo was finished in 2002, still looks brand new.
Wow, way to put together an article that explains that tattoos fading depends both on quality and location. Oh wait...
It's well know that everyone holds ink in different ways, and ink doesn't hold well on hands and fingers!!!
I'm in the number 1 spot. The first photo was taken on the day it was done after 7 hours work on my arm so my arm was bright red as you can see. That photo was taken at the studio with a dslr camera with all the professional photographers stuff. The second photo was taken by me with my iPhone 5, so the pictures obviously lose some quality. Personally I love it and that's what matters.
I am definitely not a tattoo aficionado but I have one tattoo on my hip that is 15 years old and in spite of my weight gain seems to look very much the same as when it was brand new. Some of those tattoos that faded within a couple months look like they could have been henna tattoos.
Also using Pure Romance body dew will help keep the the just fresh look of your tattoos. Mine is 6 years old and still looks new.
Also don't most shops offer touch ups if you got the tattoo there originally. I know a few by me offer the first touch up after healing for free. Also some of these looked like sharpie tattoos, if not they had horrible artiats
I have tats older than ten years that have not faded like those. Just do what you want and don't worry about what it might look like. Every tattoo has a story and if it ages over time than it is just a part of your history. I hate sites like these.
Ive had one of my tattoos for over 10 years and its still perfectly colorful like a just got it. Karen said it best I think they just had horrible artists lol, or it depends on the skin type of the person or where the tattoo goes. Your hands and things like that are more than likey always gonna fade.
My first tattoo was homemade with a needle and 'ink' made from soot. My second was a wreath of flowers from a tattoo shop in Louisiana. The first one is high on my left arm and the second is on my right forearm. I was 20 and 25, respectively...I'll be 50 in Sept. They both look as great today as they did when I got them. Who does them and where you get them do matter, as does how you care for them while they're healing.
This is total BS !!! The before and after pics of #15 aren't even the same. You can't tell me that time is gonna change the placement of strands of hair!
I have 11-13 year tattoos and they still look good. If you pick bad artists then you will get s**t!
s****y artists, poor cared, I have all of my fingers tattoode and i was warned before that tattoos in fingers and palm always fade away. either way i had excellent care on those and they look perfect after healing
I have one medium sized piece and currently working on a second one. From my experience, my skin holds color and its on the lower arm. My artist said it will hold up with time if you care for it like anything else so its interesting these are fading the way they are. hahaha this was fun to look at.
Everyone knows, don't get a tattoo where there is too much friction, like between fingers, ankles... It will fade, fast!
#8 is clearly not even the same person...some of these don't look legit to me...I have two tattoos and I love them...
I got an idea for some of these people: Get a touch up. You're welcome
This post is so stupid I'm sorry but anyone who's every gotten a tattoo on the fingers or palms will tell you that tattoo artists will fully disclaim that they're known to fade quickly and have a lot of fallout due to it being taught tough skin. Also tattoos take upkeep, a lot of people think you can just leave thin but they're still skin and not wearing sunscreen can be very detremental
Its not really a valid argument when the 'before' one hasn't even healed yet! They should be taken 2 weeks after as that's what a fresh tattoo actually looks like
What are you showing here are mostly the tattoos that are placed on fingers, palms, inner lip sides, heels. Of course, the tattoos are losing their transparent colors after some times, but most of the picture here is out of the topic ... the first of all .. everyone who is about to tattoo the palms heels etc has to know that those tattoos Are needed to be reworked once in the half year or something because of special area, but it doesnt work like this for all tattoos. Second of all ... many of the tattoos that look so bad at the pictures, maybe they are not even on the same person or, the shape of them is deformed, so the person had to get really fat what has the effects to the skin , And make the tattoo look worst, shades are lost, lines are deformed. Or was made by bad tatto artist. Not all tattoos look like this after some time. And the author suppose to be ashamed of sharing this half truth info.
Most of the fading is due to not using sun blocker. UV will destroy the ink.
Lmao I have one from 10+ years ago still lucious and vibrant and perfect lol find the right ink!
Time = Decay... Nothing lasts forever and you are going to die anyway. We buy classic cars and refurbish them, we get tattoos and re-do them as time goes by! Uhm everything gets replaced!!!
It's pretty common knowledge that you need to get certain tattoos (depending on location and colors used) periodically re-inked.
I have a tattoo that is 27 years old and my most recent artist asked if i had it touched up...never! It looks bright and cheery as when i first got it....reputable artists will encourage you to get the right placement and colors that will last....
I have a tattoo that is ten years old and looks as fresh as the day I got it. You have to moisturise, also if you rub vaseline on it the colour stays bright.
I've got tattoos that I've gotten 10 plus years ago and they look as good as the day I got them take care of them properly and they will stay nice and some half to be Gina over depending on the size and colors that have been used don't diss if you really don't know
1 the way a tat is going to look is after healing not fresh before healing. 2. If it fades a ton at healing good artists you didn't be a d**k to will touch up. Additionally I have tats on my hips that got full color 20 years ago. The color is still beautiful and it still looks great.
You know you can have tattoos re-colored, right? I've had two re-colored, one because it was a cheap drunken long ago mistake by a c**p tattoo artist, and one because it was 20 years old. The color will fade eventually, but stuff like the watercolor fading (#9) is ridiculous. Most of your examples make me cry b******t-it is just not possible for ink to fade so much if someone is looking after it properly. Find a good shop, look at portfolios, be willing to fork out the money, and you'll be fine.
Aftercare people! Tattoos aren't cheap; why let them wind up looking like this? Follow your artist's aftercare instructions and for god's sake don't pick at it while it's healing
Having looked at all of these "failed" tattoos, I conclude that too many people think skin will react like canvas. But skin is alive and reacts very differently. I partly blame the tattoo artists for not making the difference clear. Of course, alcohol and stupidity play their roll too. People can be a very strange species sometimes. difference.
I have had one of my tatts for over 30 years, about 10 years ago I got it retouched, this is something you do when you value your art.
These are just some people who do not take care of their tattoos. Tattoo is said to stay forever, but you also sometimes need to repair and repaint some parts of it. If the tattoo is done propperly and the person takes a good care of it, then nothing happens to it. Also it is known that some places such as fingers, ears, boobs (due to wearing bra)... are bad for tattoos and they won't stay. Also wtf is that with that tattoo in her mouth? It had to be pretty clear it would not stay for a long time 😳😂
Get yourself a decent tatt artist? Yeah I'd have hidden those last few too 😏
No. 35 does not seem to be a tattoo, it seems to be marker pen that has been repeatedly drawn over itself again and again.
If not cared for properly or touched up tattoos fade, also depending on the placement of said tattoos will make it dependant on how long they last, like lips, fingers, and hands are usually places that a tattoo won't last as long as expected.
omg. Most of them look terrible in first place. :D and some look okay faded.
This is a bunch of BS! I've had my tattoo for 5 years and it looks brand new. I had it touched up by the original artist a year after getting it because I didn't follow his after care instructions on scabbing and it lost its color just like he said it would. So the next go round I did exactly as told and I get compliments on it constantly. These people either peeled off the scabs instead of letting it slough off naturally or got in a place that skin cells are constantly shed naturally (hands, feet, mouth). You have to take care of it or it will look like c**p
S**t tattooists or s**t inks! I've had some Of my tattoos for over 20 years and they still look amazing, one still glows in the dark and looks clean and colourful - you get what you pay for and the above dont look like they paid much at all.
That's just s**t tattooing! Some of My tattoos are well over a decade and still look amazing - you get what you pay for and by the looks of the above you didn't or shouldn't have paid much at all. B******t article
The chick with the rainbow horse, her hair is red in the first photo and a caramel/ash blonde in the second photo. Hate to point out, that takes a long time to get your hair that color from a red, and they are saying the second photo was right after it was healed? That's a lie.
All tattoos fade and finger tattoos always fade faster cuz u use ur fingers a lot. But hand tattoos are just a bad idea(in my opinion)
Some of these don't even look like tattoos. A lot of the writing ones just look like sharpie to me.
I think it is a tragedy that no truly Professional Tatto Artists, who are complete in awareness of all these pr I blems that read as a list of what not to do as a artist. I myself have seen work in Okinawa and mainland Japan, that have literally improved with age. A blown out tattoo is exactly what a consumer gets when they do no research. None of these artists used high grade inks for a start. The problems with unskilled artists is they are unskilled, this reality gets worse from there. Common sense.
Why do people get tats without really reading info... tats generally have a 10 to 15 year life span and this changes with how you look after it.. tattoo on hands and feet NEVER work... theyll fade within a short length of time... my tattooist explained this to me but i still went ahead and now all i have is a faded shadow on my finger... doh!!! Oh.. and all these tattoo can and should be touched up over time... maintenance, maintenance and more maintenance...
All I know is that I was going to get one this summer but now I'm a little reluctant to get a few and spend my hard earn money if this will be the years ahead result. This coming from someone who knows nothing about ink or tattoos 😢😕😟
Funny.. 32 and 35 you can clearly tell its written on with pen and sharpie..😂
Some of them look washed out, like the camera settings or brightness and contrast were messed with.
people have to remember that tattoos will fade a lot faster in places that shed more skin, like feet, hands, mouth,, neck area. Plus some people have a problem with colour tattoos as their skin just doesn't absorb it properly.
Ive had a tattoo thats 9 yrs old and its still looks great.. if u go to a cheap and inexperienced artist then you should expect your tatts not to hold up.... common sense
Renew it from time to time, not a big deal if u got one from begining taking care of every once in a while shouldn't be a problem
Why. Is every pictured filtered to look darker? Amd the palm print one looks drawn on with a pen. I got my first one over 15 years and i looks better than all these wothout ever being touched up. And all my others are good too. Yes a little faded but my photos atent filtered. Silly photoshop you thought you can fool everyone.
Some of these images are Photoshop, compare the before and after photo check the skin is not same color, if tattoo fades, skin also fades,
I kept my tattoo constantly, CONSTANTLY wet with bactracin until it was beyond healed for over a week. Five years later it still looks like new. A plastic surgeon was the one who told me how to treat it. He was right.
34 IS'NT EVEN THE SAME TATTOO there r some which are clearly a marker and the rest are just s**t artist/placement
All in all, finger and feet tattoos don't last. Oh, and if you really want to make your tatt look seriously faded, take a really crappy picture of it and put it next to the professionally made one. ;)
Tattooing is a comitment, dont complain, and come get them touched up/renewed
Gaaahh this annoys me sooo much... dont people understand if u get a tattoo in a high used place eg hand or fingers u have to go back once it is healed to get it done over again a couple times for it to not fall out and colour fade is completely normal espically when its red!
I'm kinda confused by these because it's hard for me to see these as realistic when the skin tone is changed in most of them. Why don't the before and after skin colors match?
Maybe when you do a tatto you should consider few things. Colors like yellow green and light red will discolor. And you cant stop it. If you do a tattoo and you get fat and it ruins the tattoo its all on you. If you make a tattoo on a place where the skin is constatntly moving and recending the tattoo will fade because this action actually helps blood to decompose the ink. So before you do a tattoo you should think about all of that and choose a right design. Also bad ink will fade away so don't get "cheap" tattoos. I have tattoos for over 8 years and neither of them have changed.
1) Don't get a tattoo in a s****y tattoo studio that uses poor inks 2) Don't get a tattoo from your friend who has just bought a tattoo gun from eBay and doesn't know how deep it's done 3) Don't get an ant sized tattoo and everything should be fine.
Any tattoo on your hands, feet, or face (including your neck) will fade faster. The cell turnover here is higher than other areas of your body. Any tattoo artist worth a damn will warn you of this. A lot of these are simply bad aftercare, dry skin, or c**p artists. Sorry, artists.
I have a tattoo that is 11 years old and has yellow, red, and orange, as well as black. None of it has faded. These pics are bogus. It depends on where you go. You get what you pay for. My 11 year old tattoo still looks great!
Fingers, palms and feet people!! Don't be dumb ! Everyone knows the tattoos on these places fade within a year ! And the rest ... badly done !
I have various tattoos and these pictures do not tell you nothing, I have a tattoo I have gotten 16 years ago and it looks like I got it last week but I have one I got 5 years ago looks like I got it 20 years ago, it depends on quality of ink artist and location for fade and a good artist will tell you where not to get one plus it depends on the persons skin
It depends on the inks used, as well as the artist themself and your personal skin type. My father had tattoos done 6 years ago that still look fresh
Ya um most these people probably didn't take to much after care for their tats, or just had s****y artist with s****y ink. I've had all tats in all kinds of different situations and not a one of them healed as badly as some of these
If you get a cheap and nasty tattoo. What do you expect. Mine are still fab 20 years on!!!
It's okay if you don't like tattoos or feel like it's something people shouldn't do. But this is just a shoddy list of very dodgy posts. Soms tattoos don't even look like the same person, simply the same design done by good and then bad artists. Others seem like laser treatment. And when you want to get a tattoo, do your research. You probably call 10 contractors to get your walls painted. Then why do some people walk into random tattoo parlors to get something on their bodies permanently without doing proper research. Every artist is different. And just like with other art; there's a lot of bad ones out there. All of my tattoos have healed properly. One is one more intricate than most on this list. It still looks as it if was put on there less than a month ago, while it's been there for multiple years now. Just.. don't make these lists man. It ain't smoking.
Most of these seem to be either placement of the tattoo, or poor quality tattooing and aftercare. Know how to care for your tattoos if you want them, and understands there is also long term Care needed, like sun protection and moisturising. Do you research! Pick a good artist to start with and then remember maintenance.
Also, they key isn't even the same tattoo. They are slightly different shapes at the bottom.
If your tattoo faded immediately after healing, YOU did something wrong. Soaked in a bathtub, went swimming, exposed it to too much sun, picked the scabs, etc. Some fading is normal and expected over the years. Colors will also appear less bright after healing is completely finished, typically a month or longer, because of your skin. Your skin heals back on top, what you're left with is the ink showing through your pigment.
This is anecdotal at best. Different quality of tattoo artists, certain colors and locations fade quicker, tattoos usually need maintenance.
If you dont take care of your tattoo, of course it will look awful later....
I think that most important is, how good is your tattoo artist. I've had colour tattoo for 9 years, motive has a lot of details and now it looks still good.
I learned so much about tattoos while doing a piece on them for a photojournalism project while at University. The permanence of a tattoo relies on a variety of factors all seen in this piece. Blacks stay, and colors fad. The white ink can disappear even before healing is complete, it's dependant on the person's skin. If the ink isn't applied well, it runs more, or runs less, fades more or fades less. Even where it's located on the body. It's really fascinating
umm it depends on so much from artists to ink to the skin itself, i got a supernatural symbol tattooed on my chest about the same size as the base of a pint glass(small than original image aswell) nearly 3 years ago and it still has crisp edges and looks brand new today tbh the skin is still bumped up over where the ink is which im told usually fades away soon after healing.
Load of rubbish I've got tattoos that I've had for years and they are fine. These are either touch ups or the same tattoo with a filter on. Society trying to scare people out of being individuals. BS
some of these do look dreadful, but its actually expected that you will need to get your tattoos touched up at some point. also, all the reasons everyone else has mentioned. I have a tattoo that is less than a year old, and I also have eczema, and it can look drastically different day to day depending on moisturizing and how dry my skin has been.
I am covered my oldest I got when I was 18, 20 years later still look amazing I do have one tattoo that has blown out or faded. Do ya know why? I fist found a real good tattoos artist, second I use lots of cream and sunblock when out in the sun? I also cover my tattoos as much as I can in terms summer with a light thin long sleeve. Also for the color ones that faded in the photos why not get a touch up?
I ment I DON'T HAVE ONE TATTOO THAT IS FADED OR BLOWN OUT sorry typo
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what's the point? Every tattoo ages differently, it depends on so many factors such as skin type, aftercare during the healing and after the healing, different types of ink, different skills of the tattoo artists and so on. With pictures out of context, you are proving nothing.
tattooing has come a long way since most of these were done! 15 years healed? you gotta think about how much tech and education has evolved since then
Article should be renamed "Trash tattoos, done by trash artists, for trash people" haha
I have had some of mine for almost 20 years once lotions after my shower along with the rest of my body they look new... Maybe cheap ink
These are all poorly placed with horrible saturation. I have over 30 tattoos and the only one that has faded is the one on my hand that is towards my wrist. Oh but wait and it's red.....red doesn't take well to the skin (at least for me) and I use my hands all the time. Also you get what you pay for.....
What the hell kinda of c**p ink did your artist use? I have tats that are almost 20 yrs old, and are in a spot where they are likely to fade cause of rubbing against shoes and socks, and they still look better then what you are showing in these pictures. Obviously, the ink was s******g and the canvases never followed up with the proper aftercare and maintance.
This is very misleading, for one some of these look like they're just pen or marker. Also, tattoos on places that are constantly being washed and skin being renewed like the hands, of course, a tattoo will wear faster on these areas. Any good tattoo artist will tell you this. I have tattoos over ten years old that still look great, it's because I researched the tattoo artist and didn't choose some dipshit apprentice who's new and doesn't know how to make his ink last. If you have a good artist and take the time to care for and let the fresh tattoo heal properly, you will have good ink that lasts a life time. Also, a lot of good tattoos artist will touch up their work, because they have a reputation and appreciate good costumers.
The pictures used in this article are a bit misleading. Lighting and color balance between the before and after shots can make a huge difference in the comparison. Just a photographer's observation.
k ya all need better tattoo artists, I have a few that are all over 10 yrs old and look WAY better than some of those, (chest, ankle, hip, shoulder....)
People going to s**t c***s that think they can tatt and charge a discounted rate , to be cheap skates . Good tattoos aren't cheap ,and cheap tattoos ant good .......or mabe beginners.? but the healing and ageing also based alone how the owner looks after it and there skin conditions before the tattoo . I've seen fools running around the next day at the beach and festivals with fresh tattoos the day after no shirt all in the sun all in the dirt ...don't be a sheep . Don't be the fool .
I have a tattoo I got 20 years ago. Yes it faded, but it still looks good. I just got another. You have to take really good care of them #1 while they are healing, #2 watch the sun obviously, #3 moisturize, #4 have a good tattoo shop do it. My tattoo shop will not do "watercolor" tattoos like a couple of these b/c it will fade away, and finger tattoos do not hold up.
Find a better tattoo artist. I have a great tat with blues and reds it is 19 years old and still looks great!
If there was ever a reason not to get a tat just look through these!
The apparently great 'pill' to lose weight is brilliant but noticed it has been taken off the market before I could get my hands on it Grrr. I WANT it, I would welcome any infor' please !
I'm sorry but these are just s**t tattoos. None of mine look like that!!
Moral of the story no matter how much you pay for a tattoo & expensive it is when you first get it, done by the greatest tattoo artist ever, after a few years its still gonna look like a $50 tattoo done by a crazy person!!!😳 yes some probably are done to close to the highest layers of skin or crappy artists, but some of those tattoos looked pretty awesome, but still faded, & people's skin holds colors differently & there's some who gets their tattoos refreshed every 5 to 10 years, either way no matter what a tattoo is gonna fade, distort & change over time as one skin changes!!
Moral of the story no matter how much you pay for a tattoo & expensive it is when you first get it, done by the greatest tattoo artist ever, after a few years its still gonna look like a $50 tattoo done by a crazy person!!!😳
The human body metabolizes the ink. It's not natural, and the body knows it. Think about it.
Actually, it looks like the zombie is in a better shape "after healing" *wefoundacure!*
Know many Wight tattoo havent fainted like that. Inkl muligt own. My dads is 19 yeah old and with som creme is as fremhæver as New. My own des the same. So have a Hard time believing this. Even look like som of the tattoos are on different People. Dont believing this
I would've liked it more if they said where the less obvious tattoos were
Question: the colorful unicorn, was that a bad job or the wow that suppose to happen? I know nothing about tattoos, by the way
it has already been said, but needs to be tirelessly repeated that cheap, poorly designed, placed and made tattoos make for very ugly stuff very quickly. with the exception of a few, all the tats pictured are bad. as for black and grey, unlined and "watercolor" tats, they are notorious for being fragile and prone to premature aging, especially for those of us who roast on the beach like there's no tomorrow...
As opposed to the way you will look when you're seventy, saggy and wrinkly? Yeah, best not to mark my skin with ink, lest I don't get to experience the great beauty that you will be exhibiting to the world. STFU dude, everyone's ugly and icky when they're old - might as well enjoy themselves while they're still young.
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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 🙌🏻
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?
Load More Replies... just pick a good artist and take care of your tattoo (like use sunscreen etc.) and you´re perfectly fine.. tattoo-590...e82e93.png
Some of these tattoos were s****y to begin with and others almost looked like they were s****y copies of the original that some hack artist tried to do
These are not good tatoo artist. I have had my tatoo on my back for 15 years and still looks great, still have all color and doesnt look faded.
I've had to retouch a couple of my tats but I have one that looks like I just got it and I got it almost 20yrs ago!!! Most of these looked like s**t tattoos to begin with and depending on what part of the body it won't stand the test of time. Research your artist and check out their portfolio before getting one and then follow the after care instructions to a tee!!! Don't forget to wear sunscreen when you go out cuz the sun will damage it too. 🐧🐧
There seems to be a few things not being mentioned when it comes to right choice of tattoo and upkeep 1) 'watercolour' tattoos are the first to fade and need constant touch ups due to the delicate strokes of colour and the lack of outline 2) yellow, orange, red and pinks are the FIRST colours to fade because the human body naturally has a lot of these pigments therefore those patches will have a faster regeneration of cells 3) Placement is everything, if you go for a finger, foot, inside your mouth or, god-forbid, a tongue tattoo; it will fade incredibly fast due to how much contact those have with not only the outside world, but your own body! 5) skin is elastic, it stretches and grows over time along with us; so if you have a design with a lot of negative space and light shading, the negative space will consume the original design. On the other hand, if the negative space is too thin between solid block shading, the ink with naturally bleed into that negative space. think about it!
Sorry, replying on something you wrote 3 years ago 😂
Load More Replies... I'm an apprentice at a tattoo shop and I have to say This is actually not very accurate how a tattoo holds up is dependant on where it is how you take care of it (not just as its healing) and whether or not your artist knows what they're doing. Not to mention ink has come a long way in the last ten years
Some people here really are in denial, no matter how well you care for it, no matter how good your artist is or where you placed it your tattoo WILL fade. Unless you want to go ahead and deny basic biology. It's preposterous to say your tattoo is still as good as it was fresh, you're only fooling yourself or just think it's still the same. It's not. To the person saying her tattoo is still as good as it was 10 years ago, you're are so full of it or just plain ignorant.
Of course it will fade, no onws denying it, but not in couple of months or even years. Needing to re-touch after 10 years Is completely normal...
Load More Replies... #1 damage to tattoos is sun. Ultraviolet rays breakdown ink more than anything. Sunscreen..... I have tattoos 15 years old that look new.
I know few artists who doesn't work over the summer for this very reason...
Load More Replies... Oh my goodness!! True some are real and have faded... But lets get real here! Some are marker! Some are drawn on... And there are at least 2 that are not even the same damn tat!
One half are not the same person and the other half got laser treatments! -.-
Things fade, bodies fall apart, we age? Why didn't someone tell me before now?!?!?!
People don't understand that you can get your tattoo touched up when it fades. I've got one that I've had for 10 years and just got touched up, looks as good as when I got :) Also, these people in the photos clearly didn't go to a very good artists, most of the tattooss are pretty bad to begin with. And never worn sun screen :/
There seems to be a few things not being mentioned when it comes to right choice of tattoo and upkeep 1) 'watercolour' tattoos are the first to fade out and need constant touch ups due to the delicate strokes of colour and the lack of outline 2) yellow, orange read and brilliant pinks are the FIRST colours to fade nbecause the human body naturally has a lot of these therefore those patch will have a faster generation of cells 3) Placement is everything, if you go for a finger, foot or inside your mouth or, god-forbid, a tounge tattoo; it will fade incredibly fast due to how much contact those appendages have with not only the outside world, but your own body! 5) skin is elastic, it stretches and grows over time along with us; so if you have a design with a lot of negative space and light shading, the negative space with consume the original design. On the other hand, if the negative space is too thin between solid block shading, the ink with naturally bleed into that negative space.
Come on guys this is b******t,I have my tattoos many years now and they are still like new...probably your tattooer is s**t with s**t ink
Does the writer want us to believe, some of these are the same tats!?!?! Give me a break!!!
most of those are marker and one isn't even the same as the before
"omg i got a tattoo on my finger and it faded super fast, tattoos suck" or you got a tattoo on a part of your body that you use constantly and you failed to do any upkeep bc you dont have any idea how tattoos work. also wow the yellow and white faded ...what a surprise.
Skin does stretch and we do get older. We don't always have tight skin like we will never always have a perfect tattoo after so many years. I am still gonna get tattoos IDGAF.
Um ya I don't know how some of these healed their tats but clearlysomething went wrong. And you can always get your tat touched up so if you haven't and it's been some time then duh your tat is gonna look a bit faded
So... Most of these were either shoddy work or on the hands/feet. Of course they look terrible later. I've had many tattoos and for quite some time. The concept, artist, and placement are key factors in any tattoo.
If you get tattoos on your inner lip, palm or fingers of course they are going to fade fast that's just common sense! Did you really think they would last forever? Now tattoos anywhere else might require up keep from time to time. Just depends on how you take care of them.
My back tattoo (7years old) and leg tattoo (5y.o.) still look pretty much the same from when they were fresh. Tattoo on my foot (6y.o.) is fading a tiny bit but that's probably got to with placement and wearing socks&shoes a lot.
Also got a full-sleeve in progress, but that's being worked on for the past 4years so... can't really say anything about that :P
Load More Replies... Your tattoos may fade and suffer harm to their look from sunburn and repeated exposure to UVB radiation. Because UVA rays reach deeper layers of our skin, they are equally harmful to tattoos. Long-term effects of tattoos include wrinkles, sagginess, and early aging. For this reason, rather than committing to a permanent one, I like to use the temporary ones from https://wannabeink.com/collections/under-breast.
Most of those comments are "It's not that bad" or "I still like it". lol stop coping, all of them look like c**p, even though it's obvious that some tats were done by good artists. I actually like this post because it shows you the reality. Even good artists can't guarantee you a perfect result. We age, we lose weight we gain weight, skin loses elasticity, pigments get metabolized, etc. You go in, you decide whether you want to take the risks.
No way!! I've had some of my tattoos for over 15years and they still look very good!!and also the colors still there!not faded away like from the pics!
There are sooo many bad placements that artists and anyone who has gotten more than one tattoo would know is bad and would know that they would have to get touched up. Plus a lot of the "later" pictures look unfocused and have bad lighting like they were trying to make them look bad. Any hand and foot tattoo will have wearing. A lip tattoo needs touch up every 6 months to a year. Small lettering will always show the worst after time, that's why a lot of artists won't do it. If you don't wear sunscreen then certain colors will fade hard. And honestly a lot of these pictures just need a touch up and they will be fine. Skin wears away people. If you loose or gain weight your skin will stretch. This is tattoo 101 c**p. I hate articles like these, because the writer just throws a lot of BS together and gives no guidelines or context. This could've been a great article on tattoo upkeep, but the writer was just lazy and wanted a little click bait for people who don't know c**p about tattoos!
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Some of them you can tell there not the same tattoo I didn't think tattoo can flip change direction or size
I've had a single tattoo for about 4-5 years and it still looks brand new. The colour is still bright, the black is still dark and the picture still looks sharp.
Problems with these tattoos are: 1) bad placement- fingers, palms, lips, heels- tattoos here never lasts, it's lots of pain for nothing 2) bad aftercare. At least couple of these were caused by the klient, there is obvious lack of care after tattooing 3) bad artists. If the tattoo looks shady And bad when it's fresh, it's never gonna heal nicely....
I have learned that not all tattoo ink is created equal. A cheap ink will fade and spread much fast than a bottle that is expensive, hence, you get what you pay for!
I did this and it is 2 years healed in the photo, on the middle of the back hence the pores.
Your article is all wrong, these are just not good tattoos. 4D9A7CBA-E...a-jpeg.jpg
THIS article is wrong! You have just posted work that was not done well, also Including a lot of areas of the body where it needs to be incredibly specific with depth of the ink such as (aside of fingers, palms, heels, lip) most professionals cannot get it deep enough in these areas but there are some who can because it is also based on the tattoo machines.
Yes tattoos lighten and spread over time but only a small amount.
There are a lot of terrible tattooists out there, but a lot of fantastic ones aswell. Protecting your tattoo from the sun is very important too!
Here’s one I did that is 2 years healed in the photo. Tattoo is on middle of the back hence the pores :) AE7CCD36-8...2-jpeg.jpg
wow, they had better cameras with real color and not blurry or over exposure before, woooow. This is so misleading.... you don't like tattoos, we get it.
and yeah, don't tattoo your fingers or palms. ink tends to dissapear there.
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In most cases these look like the ink was s**t, and the artist wasn't very experienced... Regardless, this is definitely not representative of how most tattoos last. It's misleading to title this "These 35 Pics Reveal How Tattoos Age Over Time" and then only pick tattoos that have not aged well... I have had my oldest tattoo for nine years and it still looks as beautiful as it did when it first healed.
So, I just wanted to post my aging tattoos. And I don’t think they’re bad at all. Not sure if it’s because of the artists I’ve used or my skin🤷🏻♀️
Here is my first tat I got on my 30th birthday. My bff called me that morning and asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday and I said I want a tattoo. So every decade birthday I planned to get one. 40 was Felix the Cat, I just got two last week to catch up. My first one looks just like it did when I got it 30 years ago. I think some of these tat artists may not be the best they can be. pams-tatto...13-png.jpg
Some of these aren't even the same tattoos. Lines don't magically move and colors don't change from blue to brown.
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this is all b******t. So many of the before and after pics are NOT of the same person. Yes tattoos fade. But this is b******t because they are NOT of the same tattoos. F*****g bull.
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My god, people are irrationally angry over something that doesn't affect them at all. Faded tattoos isn't the end of the world. You just touch them up or watch them age because they represent memories. Or you cover them with something else. Certain tattoos are gonna fade faster, and people are usually aware of that.
Tattoos are like anything else, they require maintenance. I have touch ups done on mine if and when they need it and they all still look fabulous. Think about placement, color, and size beforehand, and then research reputable talented artists and you should have no problems.
My first tattoo, 32 years old, looks twice as nice as most of those damn tats. I do have a newer one that once was black roses but 30 years later looks like rotten cabbage. It depends on the artist and if they know their profession.
I have a friend who got a tattoo for many years and it is still fresh as the first day he got it. I think maybe it depends on where the tattoo shop you go. You get what you pay for.
most tattoo artist do free touch ups. some of these are YEARS later and obviously its not going to look as it did the day you got it. thats why they do touch ups
People do realise that tattoos have to touched up every few years right? Skin isn't a very good canvas.
I have 3 tattoo's one is 6 years old, the other is 4 years old and another is 2 years old and they all still look fresh , But I used a good artist and followed the after care instructions to a T. Didn't go swimming for at least a month, limited exposure to the sun (although with my shoulder one that has been a little more challenging....still looks great) kept well moisturized while healing etc. Some of these looks poorly placed/or poorly done or both. One even looked more like magin marker than a real tattoo.
FAKE ASSS FARRK some of these are two different tattoos ... like someone has just tried to copy the same artwork and didnt get as good a quality and some even changed spots on the body...
just because you lot got tattoos dont mean you look good,it means you was foolish once in your life
People get so offended when the fact that tattoos fade gets presented. Nobody is stopping anyone from getting a tattoo and why are you guys defending it like fading doesn't occur, and like it's a legal right? 😅 It's just a series of pictures about colors that fade!
It also depends on your skin and the color of the ink. Red doesn't stay for s**t in anybody so if you get red it's going to need to be touched up every so often but I have very vibrant colors from 10+ years ago that still look new today. Alot of it too has to do with peach fuzz too. If you shave the area of your tattoo it removes the blonde hairs and also can make the tattoo look newer.
Bull shot it's how you look after them you can't just get a tattoo and then forget about it
I think the quality of the ink and tools the tattoo artist uses makes a big difference as well as their skill level. Ongoing after care, like using some sunscreen especially on your colored pieces would help too. And common sense should tell you, a tattoo placed on the feet or palm on the hand/fingers may not hold up too well and requires touch ups
What the hell are these people doing to their tattoos? My oldest tattoo is 12 years old and the colors are still nice. Here's a tip though.......STAY OUT OF THE SUN! I see so many people with beautiful ink in the sun. Use at least SPF 50 and reapply reapply reapply.
I got this 27 years ago. Seems to me that it's just fine. I think it's all about the quality of work. Sorry about the picture, had to take it myself. My-Tat-595...615287.jpg
Any decent tattoo artist will advice you against certain designs and placement if they know they won't last. Also, you've got to talk to them about after care. Different artists use different ink, and therefore heal differently!
Location, location, location... and aftercare! It's also called touch-ups people
Some areas fade because of the skin, especially lip, heels, and hands. Maybe you should put more thought into where you want tats or go to get touch ups
I agree with Karen, I have one on my wrist that was done 12yrs ago and everyone is always complementing me on it cuz it still looks good, including the color
All tattoos look bold and sharp before they heal. Colour tattoos fade faster and more brasher than black and whites, also being in the sun constantly makes a huge difference. In the case of a big colour piece like the unicorn on the back, you are usually expected to go back in for touch ups to keep it bold and popping. The lights error on the finger was unfortunate, bit it didn't really look like the artist had managed to get the ink under the sub dermal layer. My tattoo is a half sleeve geometric pattern and it's held up perfectly. Just a stupid article.
Ok first of all ink has made fantastic strides in some of those 15 yo tattoos.....also who knows if the artist knew what he/she was doing. There are additional types of skins that hold black and grey better than color. A good tattoo artist can do better for you than some stupid click bait.
Okayyy... well first off some of these were due to artist error of not going deep enough or just not great in the first place. Either that, or the client didn't take good enough care of the tattoo in the healing process, which can turn a great piece of artwork done, into something that looks like s**t. Second the one with small a*s letters.... usually they don't go that small for the fact that tattoos do fade over time and skin stretches from growth or weight change. And often times tattoos will need a touch up from fading.... please remember ur skin is constantly shedding layers.... not a lot but over a few years time it might be less dark. ANOTHER THING for the tattoo on the finger.... hand tattoos are known to fade super fast for the fact it's in a place that is constantly being used and rubbing, I have one on mine. And I knew before I got it there that it would do that because my tattoo artist informed me to make sure I realized and wouldn't be unhappy later on when I needed it tou
why am i not surprised that tattoos on fingers fade very fast? i was told repeatedly that palms, soles, and fingers are places that cannot hold a tattoo for long, if at all...... hell, most tattoo artist i know refuse to even do palms, fingers, ankles and soles (among other places like anywhere under the waistband of underwear)
You have to use sunscreen on your tattoo or the sun will fade it. Also, colors like yellow orange and red do not hold as well so they have to be done a few times which sucks and hurts like a b***h. Touch-ups are always needed and should be done to maintain. Nothing is forever. (Except taxes. Taxes are forever and the IRS will find you. Just saying...)
these go to show what shoddy tattoo artists do with your money. you get what you pay for.
Some of this pic have been switched around to make it seem that the coloring has faded, and some others with the red glow are just the bruising that you expect for a weekish after getting a new tat. TOTAL GARBAGE
Tattoos on hands, lips don't last long. Colours fade, which is why I don't have colour tattoos... and the ones that look really s**t after time, looked s**t when they were done! Get a decent tattoo artist!
Moral of the story...you get what you pay for...invest in a decent artist and the work will look good for decades. My sleeves are working on being 10 yrs old and still rocking it
S9me look like they had lazer removal on them or used bleaching tattoo removal cream others are common sense finger and palm and feet etc fade fast with out proper maintenance plus sometimes you need touch up or you went to a s****y artist
I'm not a fan of tattoos; however, I quickly noticed that the after photos were either taken through a filter, in black and white, or slightly unfocused If you are going to try to make a credible argument against tattoos then it helps to be truthful.
it all matters on the location, the skin care, the artist...period. I have had a tattoo for 12 years that looks like the day I got it because I take care of my skin and I had a professional, experienced, amazing artist. I do have on on my wrist that was done by a friend and has faded because he was not professional and it's in the bend of my wrist so the ink faded, i will have it covered and redone at some point.
Some of these might be real but some are not if you look closely to the last one the writing is similar but different. The curve in the D and Y is different.
I had mine for 14 years before i had it touched .. it didn't really need touched but a friend wanted to get a tattoo and didn't want to get it alone so since mine had a few lines with broken spots here and there where a pimple came up (i'm a picker other wise it would have been fine ) I had it retouched It was stone work .. so a lot of grey shading and lines with the odd little splash of color and it looked great even 14 years later even the tiny spec of blue that was in the statues eyes was still clearly visible and my tattoo is maybe 3 inches by 4 inches . My husband on the other hand Has a dragon on each arm same area .. but he has a completely different skin type then me and his have bled together really bad and we both had them done at the same studio but by different artists in different years
A good third of these are clearly scratchers, another third are in places that don't hold worth a s**t. Saw a couple watercolor tattoos... not a single traditional tattoo to be found in this "article". Maybe let the tattooers write about tattooing?
This is absoloute bollocks. A tattoo staying fresh and vibrant requires so many different things it's unreal. Not only must you make sure that your artist uses good ink and they know their craft, but the placement is important. I've got a little tattoo on my ankle that has faded slightly because of footwear, etc. But the tattoos on my arms, wrist, calfs, are still fresh and some I've had for over two years. The after care is important as well, make sure you care for it like an open wound and keep it clean until healed otherwise it'll scab and fade. And if you do have a tattoo in bad placement (like a finger) or with colour, they do require touch ups. Tattoo artists will tell you this. Tattoos can be effected by natural elements and colour fades much quicker than black ink. Do your research. 😒
#32 isn't even the same tattoo. The lines are different. These people just have s**t tattoos made by s**t artists.
I had my eyebrows and eye liner done. Had it touched up less than a year later. Almost as expensive as the original tats. It all faded away in less than 3 years and I didn't even want to know how much it would cost to have it done again. I did this in 2006 and it was almost $l,000 way back then.
Wow is all i can say some s****y work of u ask me also to me some pretty painfull places to recive one just to have it fade so soon after some of them
Ya arm tattoos will fade upperback one face tattoos how fast depends on you. Ive had all my tats on my arms 15 plus years, but shaving my arms an lotion 4 or 5 times a day kept them looking great and they are done by a great artist.plus color will fade from sun dmg like anything you have up keep
The longevity of your tattoo's depend on three main factors: 1.) Your skin; some skin hold ink well (or colors), others not so much 2.) Quality of the ink used: Use s****y ink, expect it to fade 3.) The Sun. Why the sun you ask? Constant exposure to the sun will cause your artwork to fade at an increased rate. I got my first Tattoo in 1992, and yes it has started to noticeably "bleed" since my first was an antique style script writing. But I do one very important thing.... keep out of the sun as much as humanly possible. If I am out and about, I keep them covered. My last tattoo was finished in 2002, still looks brand new.
Wow, way to put together an article that explains that tattoos fading depends both on quality and location. Oh wait...
It's well know that everyone holds ink in different ways, and ink doesn't hold well on hands and fingers!!!
I'm in the number 1 spot. The first photo was taken on the day it was done after 7 hours work on my arm so my arm was bright red as you can see. That photo was taken at the studio with a dslr camera with all the professional photographers stuff. The second photo was taken by me with my iPhone 5, so the pictures obviously lose some quality. Personally I love it and that's what matters.
I am definitely not a tattoo aficionado but I have one tattoo on my hip that is 15 years old and in spite of my weight gain seems to look very much the same as when it was brand new. Some of those tattoos that faded within a couple months look like they could have been henna tattoos.
Also using Pure Romance body dew will help keep the the just fresh look of your tattoos. Mine is 6 years old and still looks new.
Also don't most shops offer touch ups if you got the tattoo there originally. I know a few by me offer the first touch up after healing for free. Also some of these looked like sharpie tattoos, if not they had horrible artiats
I have tats older than ten years that have not faded like those. Just do what you want and don't worry about what it might look like. Every tattoo has a story and if it ages over time than it is just a part of your history. I hate sites like these.
Ive had one of my tattoos for over 10 years and its still perfectly colorful like a just got it. Karen said it best I think they just had horrible artists lol, or it depends on the skin type of the person or where the tattoo goes. Your hands and things like that are more than likey always gonna fade.
My first tattoo was homemade with a needle and 'ink' made from soot. My second was a wreath of flowers from a tattoo shop in Louisiana. The first one is high on my left arm and the second is on my right forearm. I was 20 and 25, respectively...I'll be 50 in Sept. They both look as great today as they did when I got them. Who does them and where you get them do matter, as does how you care for them while they're healing.
This is total BS !!! The before and after pics of #15 aren't even the same. You can't tell me that time is gonna change the placement of strands of hair!
I have 11-13 year tattoos and they still look good. If you pick bad artists then you will get s**t!
s****y artists, poor cared, I have all of my fingers tattoode and i was warned before that tattoos in fingers and palm always fade away. either way i had excellent care on those and they look perfect after healing
I have one medium sized piece and currently working on a second one. From my experience, my skin holds color and its on the lower arm. My artist said it will hold up with time if you care for it like anything else so its interesting these are fading the way they are. hahaha this was fun to look at.
Everyone knows, don't get a tattoo where there is too much friction, like between fingers, ankles... It will fade, fast!
#8 is clearly not even the same person...some of these don't look legit to me...I have two tattoos and I love them...
I got an idea for some of these people: Get a touch up. You're welcome
This post is so stupid I'm sorry but anyone who's every gotten a tattoo on the fingers or palms will tell you that tattoo artists will fully disclaim that they're known to fade quickly and have a lot of fallout due to it being taught tough skin. Also tattoos take upkeep, a lot of people think you can just leave thin but they're still skin and not wearing sunscreen can be very detremental
Its not really a valid argument when the 'before' one hasn't even healed yet! They should be taken 2 weeks after as that's what a fresh tattoo actually looks like
What are you showing here are mostly the tattoos that are placed on fingers, palms, inner lip sides, heels. Of course, the tattoos are losing their transparent colors after some times, but most of the picture here is out of the topic ... the first of all .. everyone who is about to tattoo the palms heels etc has to know that those tattoos Are needed to be reworked once in the half year or something because of special area, but it doesnt work like this for all tattoos. Second of all ... many of the tattoos that look so bad at the pictures, maybe they are not even on the same person or, the shape of them is deformed, so the person had to get really fat what has the effects to the skin , And make the tattoo look worst, shades are lost, lines are deformed. Or was made by bad tatto artist. Not all tattoos look like this after some time. And the author suppose to be ashamed of sharing this half truth info.
Most of the fading is due to not using sun blocker. UV will destroy the ink.
Lmao I have one from 10+ years ago still lucious and vibrant and perfect lol find the right ink!
Time = Decay... Nothing lasts forever and you are going to die anyway. We buy classic cars and refurbish them, we get tattoos and re-do them as time goes by! Uhm everything gets replaced!!!
It's pretty common knowledge that you need to get certain tattoos (depending on location and colors used) periodically re-inked.
I have a tattoo that is 27 years old and my most recent artist asked if i had it touched up...never! It looks bright and cheery as when i first got it....reputable artists will encourage you to get the right placement and colors that will last....
I have a tattoo that is ten years old and looks as fresh as the day I got it. You have to moisturise, also if you rub vaseline on it the colour stays bright.
I've got tattoos that I've gotten 10 plus years ago and they look as good as the day I got them take care of them properly and they will stay nice and some half to be Gina over depending on the size and colors that have been used don't diss if you really don't know
1 the way a tat is going to look is after healing not fresh before healing. 2. If it fades a ton at healing good artists you didn't be a d**k to will touch up. Additionally I have tats on my hips that got full color 20 years ago. The color is still beautiful and it still looks great.
You know you can have tattoos re-colored, right? I've had two re-colored, one because it was a cheap drunken long ago mistake by a c**p tattoo artist, and one because it was 20 years old. The color will fade eventually, but stuff like the watercolor fading (#9) is ridiculous. Most of your examples make me cry b******t-it is just not possible for ink to fade so much if someone is looking after it properly. Find a good shop, look at portfolios, be willing to fork out the money, and you'll be fine.
Aftercare people! Tattoos aren't cheap; why let them wind up looking like this? Follow your artist's aftercare instructions and for god's sake don't pick at it while it's healing
Having looked at all of these "failed" tattoos, I conclude that too many people think skin will react like canvas. But skin is alive and reacts very differently. I partly blame the tattoo artists for not making the difference clear. Of course, alcohol and stupidity play their roll too. People can be a very strange species sometimes. difference.
I have had one of my tatts for over 30 years, about 10 years ago I got it retouched, this is something you do when you value your art.
These are just some people who do not take care of their tattoos. Tattoo is said to stay forever, but you also sometimes need to repair and repaint some parts of it. If the tattoo is done propperly and the person takes a good care of it, then nothing happens to it. Also it is known that some places such as fingers, ears, boobs (due to wearing bra)... are bad for tattoos and they won't stay. Also wtf is that with that tattoo in her mouth? It had to be pretty clear it would not stay for a long time 😳😂
Get yourself a decent tatt artist? Yeah I'd have hidden those last few too 😏
No. 35 does not seem to be a tattoo, it seems to be marker pen that has been repeatedly drawn over itself again and again.
If not cared for properly or touched up tattoos fade, also depending on the placement of said tattoos will make it dependant on how long they last, like lips, fingers, and hands are usually places that a tattoo won't last as long as expected.
omg. Most of them look terrible in first place. :D and some look okay faded.
This is a bunch of BS! I've had my tattoo for 5 years and it looks brand new. I had it touched up by the original artist a year after getting it because I didn't follow his after care instructions on scabbing and it lost its color just like he said it would. So the next go round I did exactly as told and I get compliments on it constantly. These people either peeled off the scabs instead of letting it slough off naturally or got in a place that skin cells are constantly shed naturally (hands, feet, mouth). You have to take care of it or it will look like c**p
S**t tattooists or s**t inks! I've had some Of my tattoos for over 20 years and they still look amazing, one still glows in the dark and looks clean and colourful - you get what you pay for and the above dont look like they paid much at all.
That's just s**t tattooing! Some of My tattoos are well over a decade and still look amazing - you get what you pay for and by the looks of the above you didn't or shouldn't have paid much at all. B******t article
The chick with the rainbow horse, her hair is red in the first photo and a caramel/ash blonde in the second photo. Hate to point out, that takes a long time to get your hair that color from a red, and they are saying the second photo was right after it was healed? That's a lie.
All tattoos fade and finger tattoos always fade faster cuz u use ur fingers a lot. But hand tattoos are just a bad idea(in my opinion)
Some of these don't even look like tattoos. A lot of the writing ones just look like sharpie to me.
I think it is a tragedy that no truly Professional Tatto Artists, who are complete in awareness of all these pr I blems that read as a list of what not to do as a artist. I myself have seen work in Okinawa and mainland Japan, that have literally improved with age. A blown out tattoo is exactly what a consumer gets when they do no research. None of these artists used high grade inks for a start. The problems with unskilled artists is they are unskilled, this reality gets worse from there. Common sense.
Why do people get tats without really reading info... tats generally have a 10 to 15 year life span and this changes with how you look after it.. tattoo on hands and feet NEVER work... theyll fade within a short length of time... my tattooist explained this to me but i still went ahead and now all i have is a faded shadow on my finger... doh!!! Oh.. and all these tattoo can and should be touched up over time... maintenance, maintenance and more maintenance...
All I know is that I was going to get one this summer but now I'm a little reluctant to get a few and spend my hard earn money if this will be the years ahead result. This coming from someone who knows nothing about ink or tattoos 😢😕😟
Funny.. 32 and 35 you can clearly tell its written on with pen and sharpie..😂
Some of them look washed out, like the camera settings or brightness and contrast were messed with.
people have to remember that tattoos will fade a lot faster in places that shed more skin, like feet, hands, mouth,, neck area. Plus some people have a problem with colour tattoos as their skin just doesn't absorb it properly.
Ive had a tattoo thats 9 yrs old and its still looks great.. if u go to a cheap and inexperienced artist then you should expect your tatts not to hold up.... common sense
Renew it from time to time, not a big deal if u got one from begining taking care of every once in a while shouldn't be a problem
Why. Is every pictured filtered to look darker? Amd the palm print one looks drawn on with a pen. I got my first one over 15 years and i looks better than all these wothout ever being touched up. And all my others are good too. Yes a little faded but my photos atent filtered. Silly photoshop you thought you can fool everyone.
Some of these images are Photoshop, compare the before and after photo check the skin is not same color, if tattoo fades, skin also fades,
I kept my tattoo constantly, CONSTANTLY wet with bactracin until it was beyond healed for over a week. Five years later it still looks like new. A plastic surgeon was the one who told me how to treat it. He was right.
34 IS'NT EVEN THE SAME TATTOO there r some which are clearly a marker and the rest are just s**t artist/placement
All in all, finger and feet tattoos don't last. Oh, and if you really want to make your tatt look seriously faded, take a really crappy picture of it and put it next to the professionally made one. ;)
Tattooing is a comitment, dont complain, and come get them touched up/renewed
Gaaahh this annoys me sooo much... dont people understand if u get a tattoo in a high used place eg hand or fingers u have to go back once it is healed to get it done over again a couple times for it to not fall out and colour fade is completely normal espically when its red!
I'm kinda confused by these because it's hard for me to see these as realistic when the skin tone is changed in most of them. Why don't the before and after skin colors match?
Maybe when you do a tatto you should consider few things. Colors like yellow green and light red will discolor. And you cant stop it. If you do a tattoo and you get fat and it ruins the tattoo its all on you. If you make a tattoo on a place where the skin is constatntly moving and recending the tattoo will fade because this action actually helps blood to decompose the ink. So before you do a tattoo you should think about all of that and choose a right design. Also bad ink will fade away so don't get "cheap" tattoos. I have tattoos for over 8 years and neither of them have changed.
1) Don't get a tattoo in a s****y tattoo studio that uses poor inks 2) Don't get a tattoo from your friend who has just bought a tattoo gun from eBay and doesn't know how deep it's done 3) Don't get an ant sized tattoo and everything should be fine.
Any tattoo on your hands, feet, or face (including your neck) will fade faster. The cell turnover here is higher than other areas of your body. Any tattoo artist worth a damn will warn you of this. A lot of these are simply bad aftercare, dry skin, or c**p artists. Sorry, artists.
I have a tattoo that is 11 years old and has yellow, red, and orange, as well as black. None of it has faded. These pics are bogus. It depends on where you go. You get what you pay for. My 11 year old tattoo still looks great!
Fingers, palms and feet people!! Don't be dumb ! Everyone knows the tattoos on these places fade within a year ! And the rest ... badly done !
I have various tattoos and these pictures do not tell you nothing, I have a tattoo I have gotten 16 years ago and it looks like I got it last week but I have one I got 5 years ago looks like I got it 20 years ago, it depends on quality of ink artist and location for fade and a good artist will tell you where not to get one plus it depends on the persons skin
It depends on the inks used, as well as the artist themself and your personal skin type. My father had tattoos done 6 years ago that still look fresh
Ya um most these people probably didn't take to much after care for their tats, or just had s****y artist with s****y ink. I've had all tats in all kinds of different situations and not a one of them healed as badly as some of these
If you get a cheap and nasty tattoo. What do you expect. Mine are still fab 20 years on!!!
It's okay if you don't like tattoos or feel like it's something people shouldn't do. But this is just a shoddy list of very dodgy posts. Soms tattoos don't even look like the same person, simply the same design done by good and then bad artists. Others seem like laser treatment. And when you want to get a tattoo, do your research. You probably call 10 contractors to get your walls painted. Then why do some people walk into random tattoo parlors to get something on their bodies permanently without doing proper research. Every artist is different. And just like with other art; there's a lot of bad ones out there. All of my tattoos have healed properly. One is one more intricate than most on this list. It still looks as it if was put on there less than a month ago, while it's been there for multiple years now. Just.. don't make these lists man. It ain't smoking.
Most of these seem to be either placement of the tattoo, or poor quality tattooing and aftercare. Know how to care for your tattoos if you want them, and understands there is also long term Care needed, like sun protection and moisturising. Do you research! Pick a good artist to start with and then remember maintenance.
Also, they key isn't even the same tattoo. They are slightly different shapes at the bottom.
If your tattoo faded immediately after healing, YOU did something wrong. Soaked in a bathtub, went swimming, exposed it to too much sun, picked the scabs, etc. Some fading is normal and expected over the years. Colors will also appear less bright after healing is completely finished, typically a month or longer, because of your skin. Your skin heals back on top, what you're left with is the ink showing through your pigment.
This is anecdotal at best. Different quality of tattoo artists, certain colors and locations fade quicker, tattoos usually need maintenance.
If you dont take care of your tattoo, of course it will look awful later....
I think that most important is, how good is your tattoo artist. I've had colour tattoo for 9 years, motive has a lot of details and now it looks still good.
I learned so much about tattoos while doing a piece on them for a photojournalism project while at University. The permanence of a tattoo relies on a variety of factors all seen in this piece. Blacks stay, and colors fad. The white ink can disappear even before healing is complete, it's dependant on the person's skin. If the ink isn't applied well, it runs more, or runs less, fades more or fades less. Even where it's located on the body. It's really fascinating
umm it depends on so much from artists to ink to the skin itself, i got a supernatural symbol tattooed on my chest about the same size as the base of a pint glass(small than original image aswell) nearly 3 years ago and it still has crisp edges and looks brand new today tbh the skin is still bumped up over where the ink is which im told usually fades away soon after healing.
Load of rubbish I've got tattoos that I've had for years and they are fine. These are either touch ups or the same tattoo with a filter on. Society trying to scare people out of being individuals. BS
some of these do look dreadful, but its actually expected that you will need to get your tattoos touched up at some point. also, all the reasons everyone else has mentioned. I have a tattoo that is less than a year old, and I also have eczema, and it can look drastically different day to day depending on moisturizing and how dry my skin has been.
I am covered my oldest I got when I was 18, 20 years later still look amazing I do have one tattoo that has blown out or faded. Do ya know why? I fist found a real good tattoos artist, second I use lots of cream and sunblock when out in the sun? I also cover my tattoos as much as I can in terms summer with a light thin long sleeve. Also for the color ones that faded in the photos why not get a touch up?
I ment I DON'T HAVE ONE TATTOO THAT IS FADED OR BLOWN OUT sorry typo
Load More Replies... what's the point? Every tattoo ages differently, it depends on so many factors such as skin type, aftercare during the healing and after the healing, different types of ink, different skills of the tattoo artists and so on. With pictures out of context, you are proving nothing.
tattooing has come a long way since most of these were done! 15 years healed? you gotta think about how much tech and education has evolved since then
Article should be renamed "Trash tattoos, done by trash artists, for trash people" haha
I have had some of mine for almost 20 years once lotions after my shower along with the rest of my body they look new... Maybe cheap ink
These are all poorly placed with horrible saturation. I have over 30 tattoos and the only one that has faded is the one on my hand that is towards my wrist. Oh but wait and it's red.....red doesn't take well to the skin (at least for me) and I use my hands all the time. Also you get what you pay for.....
What the hell kinda of c**p ink did your artist use? I have tats that are almost 20 yrs old, and are in a spot where they are likely to fade cause of rubbing against shoes and socks, and they still look better then what you are showing in these pictures. Obviously, the ink was s******g and the canvases never followed up with the proper aftercare and maintance.
This is very misleading, for one some of these look like they're just pen or marker. Also, tattoos on places that are constantly being washed and skin being renewed like the hands, of course, a tattoo will wear faster on these areas. Any good tattoo artist will tell you this. I have tattoos over ten years old that still look great, it's because I researched the tattoo artist and didn't choose some dipshit apprentice who's new and doesn't know how to make his ink last. If you have a good artist and take the time to care for and let the fresh tattoo heal properly, you will have good ink that lasts a life time. Also, a lot of good tattoos artist will touch up their work, because they have a reputation and appreciate good costumers.
The pictures used in this article are a bit misleading. Lighting and color balance between the before and after shots can make a huge difference in the comparison. Just a photographer's observation.
k ya all need better tattoo artists, I have a few that are all over 10 yrs old and look WAY better than some of those, (chest, ankle, hip, shoulder....)
People going to s**t c***s that think they can tatt and charge a discounted rate , to be cheap skates . Good tattoos aren't cheap ,and cheap tattoos ant good .......or mabe beginners.? but the healing and ageing also based alone how the owner looks after it and there skin conditions before the tattoo . I've seen fools running around the next day at the beach and festivals with fresh tattoos the day after no shirt all in the sun all in the dirt ...don't be a sheep . Don't be the fool .
I have a tattoo I got 20 years ago. Yes it faded, but it still looks good. I just got another. You have to take really good care of them #1 while they are healing, #2 watch the sun obviously, #3 moisturize, #4 have a good tattoo shop do it. My tattoo shop will not do "watercolor" tattoos like a couple of these b/c it will fade away, and finger tattoos do not hold up.
Find a better tattoo artist. I have a great tat with blues and reds it is 19 years old and still looks great!
If there was ever a reason not to get a tat just look through these!
The apparently great 'pill' to lose weight is brilliant but noticed it has been taken off the market before I could get my hands on it Grrr. I WANT it, I would welcome any infor' please !
I'm sorry but these are just s**t tattoos. None of mine look like that!!
Moral of the story no matter how much you pay for a tattoo & expensive it is when you first get it, done by the greatest tattoo artist ever, after a few years its still gonna look like a $50 tattoo done by a crazy person!!!😳 yes some probably are done to close to the highest layers of skin or crappy artists, but some of those tattoos looked pretty awesome, but still faded, & people's skin holds colors differently & there's some who gets their tattoos refreshed every 5 to 10 years, either way no matter what a tattoo is gonna fade, distort & change over time as one skin changes!!
Moral of the story no matter how much you pay for a tattoo & expensive it is when you first get it, done by the greatest tattoo artist ever, after a few years its still gonna look like a $50 tattoo done by a crazy person!!!😳
The human body metabolizes the ink. It's not natural, and the body knows it. Think about it.
Actually, it looks like the zombie is in a better shape "after healing" *wefoundacure!*
Know many Wight tattoo havent fainted like that. Inkl muligt own. My dads is 19 yeah old and with som creme is as fremhæver as New. My own des the same. So have a Hard time believing this. Even look like som of the tattoos are on different People. Dont believing this
I would've liked it more if they said where the less obvious tattoos were
Question: the colorful unicorn, was that a bad job or the wow that suppose to happen? I know nothing about tattoos, by the way
it has already been said, but needs to be tirelessly repeated that cheap, poorly designed, placed and made tattoos make for very ugly stuff very quickly. with the exception of a few, all the tats pictured are bad. as for black and grey, unlined and "watercolor" tats, they are notorious for being fragile and prone to premature aging, especially for those of us who roast on the beach like there's no tomorrow...
As opposed to the way you will look when you're seventy, saggy and wrinkly? Yeah, best not to mark my skin with ink, lest I don't get to experience the great beauty that you will be exhibiting to the world. STFU dude, everyone's ugly and icky when they're old - might as well enjoy themselves while they're still young.
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