Factor 1 : Skin Types

As an artist you should already be aware of how skin types effect the tattooing process. Some skin types are more receptive to the pigment implantation process and some are less. Skin types also play a role in the pigment retention during healing and contribute to the speed at which they fade over time.

The location of the tattoo also plays a role in the way that cosmetic tattoos fade over time. Some areas of the body will be prone to fading faster than others. Its a well known fact that body tattoos on the hands and particularly the fingers are prone to fading much faster than other areas. Skin on the face is no exception to this and its makeup is very different to skin on the rest of the body. Not only is it faster to heal, but the skin cell turnover is higher than other areas of the body. This faster skin cell turnover combines with the natural oil secretions on the face lead to cosmetic tattooing that fades over time at a faster rate than elsewhere.

Factor 2 : Pigment Quality & Type

Body art tattoos are created using a different grade of inks than cosmetic tattoos. Tattoo pigment is made up of a base liquid like distilled water, polyglycol (PG), or an alcohol base. There are thousands of pigment particles that are held in this base liquid which make up the exact shade required by the artist. The main difference between permanent tattoo ink and semi permanent cosmetic tattoo ink is the side of the pigment particles tat make up the ink. Cosmetic tattoo pigments are made using micro particles of pigments that are so small the body is able to easily break them down and carry them away through the lymphatic system, allowing cosmetic tattoos to fade over time. Body tattoo inks are made using larger pigment particles that are not able to be removed by the body, and will not disappear or fade over time.

Factor 3 : Tattoo Depth

Even though cosmetic tattoo pigments are specially designed to fader over time, if they are implanted into the skin too deeply they will not be able to be removed by the body naturally. Cosmetic tattoos are implanted superficially in the skin, much shallower than body tattoos are. In fact, if cosmetic tattoo pigment is implanted too deep in the skin it will distort the colour, leading to an unwanted grey, ashy appearing colour. Once the pigment is implanted this deep it may never fully fade over time, and may require laser or saline removal by a specialist.

Factor 4 : Lifestyle Variables

Skin cell turnover and the lifespan of your cosmetic tattoo is greatly effected by external factors. Retinol skincare products will speed up the skin cell turnover, leading to faster fading of cosmetic tattoos. Other factors that effect the tattoo include sun exposure, and exposure to salt water, and chlorinated water. For as long as tattoos have existed, salt has been used to remove and fade tattoos. Your clients lifestyle factors will inevitably contribute to the way their cosmetic tattooing fades over time.

All of the above variable factors determine the way in which cosmetic tattooing fades over time. Some skin types will retain the cosmetic tattoo pigment better than others, and it will also depend on the individuals lifestyle habits and skincare products, as well as the cosmetic tattoo artists application methods, depth of working & pigment quality.

The best quality cosmetic tattooing will fade over time and eventually leave very little pigment remaining, so that the next application will be on a blank canvas. As a cosmetic tattoo artist myself I can confirm that it is much much easier to create beautiful work on a clean canvas.

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