How to Fix a Sun Damaged Tattoo
While everyone who has received a tattoo from a professional shop and artist will have been told to limit their skin’s exposure to sunlight, especially in the first 6 months after getting inked, a large number have not been able to adhere to the pledge. It’s often a side effect of being proud of one’s tattoo, as people want to show it off, especially in balmy weather when fewer layers of clothing are required.
What exactly happens when a tattoo is over-exposed to the sun? Over-exposure to ultra-violet (UV) rays from the sun can result in the following:
Fading: UV rays can penetrate your skin and break down the tattoo ink, causing it to fade over time. Light-colored inks typically fade faster, although dark inks (black, dark blue, etc.) can fade too.
Blurring: UV rays can penetrate your skin and break down the tattoo ink, causing edges and lines blur. A once crisp and cleaned lined tattoo will be left less defined.
Color Distortion: The breakdown of ink can also lead to color distortion, with some colors shifting or becoming more prominent as others fade.
Scarring: This may occur when the tattooed area is sunburnt, leaving the skin damaged.
As someone who has not been very diligent in managing sun exposure (you’re not alone!) you have noticed that over time the integrity of your tattoo has been compromised. This has brought you here, wondering how to fix a sun damaged tattoo. Below is a summary of options that are available to you, depending upon the level of damage that has been sustained by the sun’s impactful UV.
4 Options for Fixing a Sun Damaged Tattoo
When it Has Faded
A tattoo that has experienced only light to moderate fading can be corrected through traditional touchup work. A touchup is a procedure where a tattoo artist (preferably the one who did the work in the first place) goes over an existing tattoo to fix imperfections, deepen colors, or sharpen lines that may have faded or been lost after prolonged sun exposure. It's essentially a minor correction or refresh of the tattoo that may only take one or two hours, depending on the size of the tattoo.
When it Has Blurred
As with fading, a tattoo that has experienced only light to moderate blurring can be corrected through traditional touchup work. More severe forms of fading cannot be touched-up in the traditional sense. In the latter scenario, when there is no easy way to repair the piece, we recommend having the tattoo either fully removed via laser treatment, or lightened even more significantly so as to apply a cover-up with a new tattoo. If you want the exact same tattoo that was lost to the big ball of fire in the sky, then you will have it completely removed, await healing (contingent upon size and complexity of the tattoo), and replace it with the exact replica.
When Color Has Been Distorted
As with fading and blurring, a tattoo that has experienced only light to moderate color distortion can be corrected through traditional touchup work. More severe forms of color distortion cannot be touched-up, and will instead require laser removal or fading for coverup.
When There is Scarring
Dealing with UV ray scarring that has ruined a tattoo is the same as it is for most types of post-tattoo injury and subsequent scarring. Laser removal and fading for coverup are the only real solutions. Read this guide for what to do after a scar has ruined a tattoo.
Do you live within, or are able to visit the Vancouver area often enough to undergo more than one laser removal or fading session? Tap the link below to schedule a FREE noncommittal consultation at our West 4th avenue studio.
*We also have tattooists on site at NIXX, who can perform touchups as needed.
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