Not every spot on your body is equally suited for keeping a tattoo looking fresh over time. Factors like friction, sunlight, and the natural movement of the skin can cause tattoos to fade. Want to know which areas tend to lose their sharpness the fastest? In this blog, we’ll go over the places where tattoos fade the most (or where you need to be extra careful) if you want to keep your tattoo’s original look.

Hands and Fingers

Tattoos on the hands or fingers often look super cool. Unfortunately, they also fade quite quickly. This is partly because your hands are frequently exposed to sunlight without protection, as well as water, soap, and a lot of movement. The skin on your hands is thinner, so the ink doesn’t hold as well since there’s literally less space between the skin layers. A tip! Always apply sunscreen to your hands, especially in summer!

Feet and Ankles

The skin on your feet and ankles endures a lot. Friction from socks and shoes, and let’s not forget sweat. Feet and ankles are also often neglected when it comes to applying sunscreen. Despite this, they do get quite a bit of sun exposure, which can make the tattoo fade faster. Additionally, the skin on your feet, like your hands, is quite thin.

However, the skin on the soles of your feet is much thicker and rougher, which makes it harder for ink to adhere. During the healing process, it’s helpful to wear open shoes or opt for sneakers that don’t rub. This will also prevent bacteria from accumulating. Another important tip is to avoid synthetic socks.

Elbows and knees

The elbows and knees are constantly in motion. The skin stretches and contracts continuously due to bending and straightening, causing ink to gradually fade. Do you often wear shorts and t-shirts in the summer? Then these tattoos are also exposed to the sun. Make sure to keep the area well-hydrated and take good aftercare measures to prevent fading. Also, the skin on the elbows is extremely thick and compressed, which makes it harder for ink to penetrate.

Inside of the Lips

A tattoo on the inside of your lip fades quickly. Eating, talking, and drinking all expose the tattoo to moisture and friction, which usually causes the ink to fade within just a few years. This applies to all tattoos inside the mouth.

Tattoos Fade Over Time

Some areas of the body are simply more prone to fading than others. But this doesn’t mean you should let that stop you from getting a tattoo in those spots. Just go for it! With the right tattoo artist, proper aftercare, and protection, your tattoo can stay beautiful for years. And if it eventually fades, you always have the option of getting it touched up.