If you color your hair or know someone who does, then the concept of a ‘touch up’ is already familiar to you when you see those dark roots or silver grey hairs starting to peek through. Think of tattoo touch-ups as the same idea—but not exactly.
Touching up a tattoo is pretty commonplace, even when your original tattoo is done by a highly reputable tattoo artist in a very legit studio. A touch up essentially is tattooing again over your existing tattoo.
Although not all tattoos need a touch-up, these are a few telltale signs that yours might need some TLC:
- Small imperfections appear during the initial healing stage
- Your tattoo looks watered down or washed out
- Your tattoo has faded
- Your tattoo has some patches of color variations or small gaps are visible in the design
- The lines are not as clean or sharp as they were
Some wise advice that will never get old—your tattoo artist’s instructions for aftercare are legitimately one of the best guarantees for a great looking tattoo. If you kept your end of the bargain and followed those instructions, but a touch up is still needed sooner than later, then your tattoo artist may give you a complimentary touch up within a certain period of time afterwards.
You probably won’t be shocked to hear this, but there’s really no specific ‘time’ for a tattoo touch up. There are many artists who will recommend a touch up within the first 6 months. Your best bet is to check with your artist and see what their recommendation is based on your tattoo design and any other factors to consider. Even if they don’t do it for free, in all likelihood, the fee would be minimal for a touch up visit.
After the initial healing and determination if there’s any need for touching up, there’s also what happens over time. As the years go by, all tattoos will gradually fade. Exactly how much will of course depend on many different factors. Think of these touch ups sort of like a botox treatment or a A touch up done on an older tattoo can make those colors vibrant and bright again
Since we’ve spoken here in the past about sun exposure and the proper use of sunscreen on tattoos, it is worth mentioning that another reason some tattoos may need touching up is if they were not properly protected early on and may have faded due to overexposure from the sun.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, please don’t forget to keep a generous supply of a luxurious, super moisturizing cream for tattoo aftercare and use it, every day, not just for the immediate aftercare, but for the long haul.
About the author: Yaffa Baslaw (@yadeinu) is a Freelance Writer with over a decade of experience copywriting and blogging compelling content. She has written for more than 20 companies in the fields of healthcare, skincare, and retail.
FAQs
Signs of fading tattoos include loss of vibrancy, blurring of lines, and uneven color. If you notice that your tattoo is not as vibrant as it once was or if the lines have become blurry, it may be time to consider a touch-up.
How do I know if my tattoo needs a touch up? ›
When is it Time for a Tattoo Touch-Up?
- Small imperfections appear during the initial healing stage.
- Your tattoo looks watered down or washed out.
- Your tattoo has faded.
- Your tattoo has some patches of color variations or small gaps are visible in the design.
- The lines are not as clean or sharp as they were.
Tattoo touch-ups can only take place once your tattoo is fully healed (anywhere between 4 weeks to 6 months). Touching up a tattoo before it has had the chance to heal will only aggravate and further implicate the artwork. Touch-ups have the same healing protocol as initial tattoos.
When should I ask my tattoo artist for a touch up? ›
If you experience long healing times (more than two weeks) or noticeable shinny-ness on the healed tattoo it is very likely that you will need touch ups. Allow time for the skin to settle down to a more normal condition before having your touch ups (1-5 months, but no more than 6 months).
Should tattoo touch ups be free? ›
While some touch-ups are necessary and are often included in the initial price of the tattoo, tattoo artists are not always obliged to do touch-ups for free. It depends on the specific circ*mstances of the tattoo and the agreement between the artist and the client.
Are tattoo touch ups expensive? ›
The answer, of course, depends on the artist and the size of the tattoo. However, touch ups typically start at around $50 and can go up from there. So, if you're looking to keep your ink looking fresh, be prepared to spend a little extra cash. But touch ups are worth it!
Do tattoo touch ups hurt less? ›
If you've ever wondered, “Do tattoo touch-ups hurt?” the answer is yes, but typically less than the initial inking. This is because the skin is already familiar with the sensation, and the tattoo artist does not usually need to go as deep as the first time.
Do all tattoo artists offer touch-ups? ›
Most tattoo artists are more than happy to touch up a tattoo that's too small or too big for your liking. They may even offer to do it for free. So next time you're in the market for a new tattoo, keep this in mind.
How much should I tip my tattoo artist for a touch up? ›
“Some tip less, and some are very generous." For instance, you might wonder how much to tip for a $500 tattoo. In this case, tipping anywhere from $75 to $125 would be appropriate. If you're getting smaller art done or maybe a touch-up for $100, tipping anywhere from $15 to $25 fits the bill.
Is it ever too late to touch up a tattoo? ›
A: No, it is never too late to touch up a tattoo. Touching up a tattoo is a common practice and can be done at any point in time, regardless of how long ago the original tattoo was done. Tattoo touch-ups can address various issues such as fading, color inconsistencies, or minor design adjustments.
Tattoo blowouts occur when a tattoo artist presses too hard when applying ink to the skin. The ink is sent below the top layers of skin where tattoos belong. Below the skin's surface, the ink spreads out in a layer of fat. This creates the blurring associated with a tattoo blowout.
Why do fine line tattoos need touch-ups? ›
Given that fine line tattoos may fade faster than thicker ones due to less densely packed ink, periodic touch-ups are necessary to keep their appearance intact. Regular touch-ups ensure fine line tattoos remain sharp and well-defined as they age.
Will an overworked tattoo heal? ›
Overworked skin will heal terribly. and it will cause ink to fall out of the tattoo. If you haven't gotten a tattoo to where you want it. in those two passes, it's important to let the skin heal.
Do fine line tattoos need touch-ups? ›
Fine line tattoos may fade more than regular tattoos over time, so they may need touch-ups like regular tattoos. The longevity of your tattoo depends on the location, your skin care, and the skill of the tattoo artist.
Can you redo a tattoo if it fades? ›
A tattoo touch up, sometimes called a freshen up, will essentially redo the tattoo by going over existing black line work that's faded to shade of grey and re-coloring the tattoo. Touch up tattoos work best when designs are simple and less saturated without full coverage.
Can any tattoo artist do touch-ups? ›
Seeing the original artist who created your tattoo is considered the best policy – some artists are not okay with touching up work done by someone else. However, there's always the chance that your original artist may not be available.
