I have been getting a lot of questions coming up in my search terms. So today I thought I’d answer some of the more commonly asked questions. If you have a specific question, feel free to ask it via the comments section. I check this site every day and will be more than happy to give my personal advise on any body mod issue.
Now on to the questions.
Why does my tattoo have a dull look to it?
It could be that the tattoo ink was applied too deep and the excess skin is dulling your tattoo pigment. Sun damage will also cause a fading effect.
How long after I get a tattoo will it start to scab?
It could scab after a day or it may never scab. It depends on if you can keep it moist or not. Once a tattoo drys out and scabs appear there is no choice but to wait until they fall off naturally.
How long does it take for tattoos to heal completely?
The time it takes for a tattoo to heal can be different for everyone. Typically the older you are the longer it will take for your skin to regenerate. My tattoos usually appear to be healed completely in 4-6 weeks.
Why keep your tattoo wrapped?
Covering your tattoo in a plastic wrap will keep dirt off of your new, open wound. Always use an antiseptic petroleum jell like Bacitracin between the plastic wrap and the tattoo. Also remember to change the wrap at least twice a day. You should wash your new tattoo with plain soap and water once or twice a day as well.
Do nipple piercings heal completely?
Yes, nipple piercings will heal given enough time and proper care. It took my nipples roughly 14 months to heal completely. The time to heal can vary depending on how well you attend to your new piercing. If you beat it up, it will obviously take longer to heal.
How long should I wait before replacing my nipple piercing?
I am assuming this question was asked in reference to changing jewelry so that’s how I’m going to answer it. I would recommend not changing the jewlry in a fresh nipple piercing for at least 6 months or until the “crusties” stop appearing around the jewelry.
How deep to run needle to keep the tattoo best color?
Ideally, tattoo ink should be placed 1/37 of an inch below the surface of the skin.
Do tattoos look faded during healing process?
Tattoos can appear faded for several weeks after the inital process. The fading is usually caused by dead skin that has yet to peel. Don’t worry, and don’t peel off that dead skin or you run the risk of removing color. Your tattoo will look it’s best in 4-6 weeks.
How long must I keep my tattoo out of the sun?
Forever! The sun’s rays destroy tattoos just as easily as they fade the paint on your car. You must keep your tattoos out of the sun or covered with at least 30spf sunblock or risk fading and color changes. White will become yellow, red can turn brown, etc.
I wrote a post on this a while ago.
You can see the whole thing here
How to get the dead skin to fall off my tattoo?
Be patient. It will fall off all by itself in a few weeks. You risk permanent damage to your tattoo if you prematurely remove any dead skin or scabs.
If tattoo scabs fall off completely will ink return?
If you remove a scab or bump it against something and it takes the ink beneath the scab with it, certainly it will not return. This is why it is very important to diligently care for your tattoo for at least a week. If scabs do develop, whatever you do, don’t pick at them. They will fall 0ff when they are ready.
How long do tattoos take to start fading?
With proper care it could be 20 years before you notice any difference in your tattoo. Inevitably we get older and our body shapes and skin texture changes, as well as the natural breakdown of tattoo ink that your body performs. The sun also has a large effect on the longevity of your tattoo. You can always get a faded tattoo touched up by a qualified tattooist and bring it back to it’s original luster.
34 responses so far ↓
1 Bilinda // Feb 24, 2008 at 10:28 pm
What are the best colors to use besides black that will look the best and keep it’s color?
2 Curt // Feb 24, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Bilinda, all colors are capable of retaining their original pigment or luster provided you take care of your tattoo.
The reason black is so resilient is because it is the darkest pigment in the spectrum. Even if it does fade you won’t notice much due to the natural contrast your skin provides.
Even if a black and grey tattoo would be damaged, and loose say half of it’s pigment, it would still be much nicer in appearance than a color tattoo exposed to the same conditions.
Bottom line, keep those tattoos out of the sun!
3 Longrod // Feb 25, 2008 at 12:38 am
How do you cover up a black inked tattoo with light colors and not see a trace of the original piece?
4 Curt // Feb 25, 2008 at 12:46 am
Longrod, I have seen all black Celtic bands covered with very light colors.
The process involves pounding light colors (either white or flesh tone) into the existing tattoo. If applied heavily enough and above where the original pigment was applied, dark tattoos can become light or untraceable. This provides a much lighter canvas for the tattoo artist to work on.
Pounding light color over dark is almost the same thing as getting laser removal. You can lighten a tattoo and cover it as though it was never there.
5 Longrod // Feb 25, 2008 at 12:50 am
Why is it that you have tattoo artist that refuse to ink religious art when the name of the business is giving the customer a design in which is permanently pleasing to them? Giving a religious tattoo doesn’t mean the artist has to go to church, does it? After all when it comes to ink- its art not religion. Are they evil, scared of something they don’t understand or simply arrogant? Just curious in why some artist chose to set limits in their business? and Curious to what your input would be. Thanks
6 Curt // Feb 25, 2008 at 1:02 am
A very nice comment Longrod, you know me and my tattooist well I see.
Of course I can not speak for A.J. I believe the reason is, that he isn’t into organized religion at all and to get him to design something that is impressive within those limits would not be his style.
I don’t think it’s a matter of your personal religious preference. I just think he knows he could not do a piece of that nature justice.
hell, call and ask him….
7 Longrod // Feb 25, 2008 at 1:12 am
I figure if a guy gives ya 500 bucks you can draw what they request, its business & nothing personal between the customer and the artist. Money talks right?
8 Curt // Feb 25, 2008 at 1:21 am
Yes, but if you are willing to spend 500 bucks do you want A.J. doing your tattoo or another equally qualified artist that actually digs god?
I know A.J. draws like a mofo, but if he’s not into it… it is not going to be nearly as impressive as someone that really likes religious artwork and culture.
If you want something meaningful you need someone who feels the same as you to design it.
9 Longrod // Feb 25, 2008 at 1:33 am
Thanks. Now that you put it that way, it makes a lot of sense. Question is.. How would you locate such a tattoo artist and one thats excellent at what he does? Do ya Google”Godly Ink”?
10 Curt // Feb 25, 2008 at 1:41 am
Longrod, that’s kind of funny. While I’m sure you could just hit up google for the best in Godly tattoo advice, I don’t think I would recommend that.
To find a good tattoo artist you need to talk to a good tattoo artist. Not everyone does Japanese, Biomech, Religion, or a hundred different styles better than the top tattoo artist in that respective specialty. If you want something specific talk to a good artist and if they can’t do it for you they will tell you where to go.
11 Longrod // Feb 25, 2008 at 1:45 am
Thanks for the advice. Although its funny that you say “if they can’t do it for you they will tell you where to go.” That seems to be the exact case sometimes!
12 questioning lady // Feb 25, 2008 at 6:31 am
Can anyone have a piercing anywhere? I can’t even have ear rings in my ear lobes. The seem to always be slightly infected if I try to wear anything, even pure gold hoops. It’s been years since I last tried, so probably will need to have them re-pierced, but I wonder if it’s worth the effort. I’m sure I’ll only get infections again :(
13 Curt // Feb 25, 2008 at 8:05 am
questioning lady, while you can get a piercing almost anywhere, there are some piercings with a high or even complete chance of rejection. Ears, however, are not usually one of those areas.
Gold jewelry also does not always react well in a persons skin. If gold seems to give you a problem I would try a high quality surgical grade stainless steel which has a less likely chance of being rejected.
It may be that you have extremely sensitive skin that does not lend well to piercing or healing.
14 monica // Feb 25, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Can you tattoo over scars and will it look different than the ink on regular skin?
15 Curt // Feb 25, 2008 at 2:00 pm
monica, yes scars can be tattooed although the tattooing process may take a little longer.
One example of popular scar tattooing is work done over mastectomy scars.
If the scar is raised it may still be visible under the tattoo, but you could always incorporate the texture of the scar into your design.
Those Vitamin E scar removal creams and patches also do wonders to lighten a scar before you get a tattoo.
16 Elli // Feb 25, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Ahh very cool info! I had no idea that depth had to do with fading!
17 Odysseus // Feb 25, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Hey man. I have an eyebrow piercing, that I’ve pierced 2 times in the same place. The first time was over ten years ago, the second time was probably a few years after that, repiercing it. On and off throughout the years I’ve been able to slam a ring in it again if the whim hit. Same with my ear piercings.
I’m afraid that if I do it too much, repiercing, that nasty scar tissue will form and I could end up looking like Freddy Kruger. Is this a legitimate concern, or should I just be very careful when re-using an old hole and keep it very clean?
18 Curt // Feb 25, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Odysseus, from your comment I assume that you are not really repeircing but rather stretching an old hole.
There is some concern with stretching a hole too fast which can cause tearing and of course develop scar tissue.
As far as actually repiercing scar tissue, I would not recommend it. Try to go next to the original if possible, as repiercing of scar tissue can be more susceptible to keloid development.
19 Odysseus // Feb 25, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Thanks. Yeah, it’s more like re-piercing the scar tissue. I don’t intend to stretch anything, least of all my eyebrow, and I’ve always used very slim, high gauge rings for that.
In the case of the eyebrow piercing, it’s almost like the hole never really closed, so if I fiddle around and force it, it can go through the original hole.
But, your keloid post has me a bit creeped out. I think I’ll just leave my eyebrow alone for good.
BTW, here’s a horror story for you. I pierced it myself when I was 16 or 17. Used the sharp end of a cheap compass, the kind you draw circles with in art class. Proceeded to insert a cheap dollar store ring. Proceeded to get infected. Boys and girls, don’t try that crap at home (at least not with that kind of equipment).
20 JQ // Mar 8, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Hi, i have an aqua and dark blue butterfly on my foot and I wanted to cover the dark blue with another color… Is that possible and what color would go best without showing the dark blue…. I would prefer a bright pink or green color if that is possible…. ????
21 Curt // Mar 9, 2008 at 1:49 pm
JQ, yes you can cover the existing tattoo. A bright pink ink would be difficult to achieve without multiple sessions to lighten the existing color. Green would be much easier to apply and should be able to be done in a single session.
22 Jessica // Apr 1, 2008 at 11:40 pm
I was curious what the best ink is if someone has sensitive skin. My skin is really sensitive sometimes and about 4-5 months after my tattoo had completely healed it started to raise and almost looked like my body was rejecting it but none of the color faded. I was just wondering if there was a certain type of ink that should be used on people who have sensitive skin, or what colors to stay away from. Thanks!
23 Curt // Apr 2, 2008 at 12:05 am
Jessica, It sounds like you have extremely sensitive skin or a condition that would lend to abnormal healing.
There are no “magic” tattoo inks. All ink contains foreign substances that the body could potentially reject.
Make sure you get yourself checked by a medical professional for possible ailments that could cause this affect, as it is not common.
24 Rob // May 6, 2008 at 10:29 am
I have recently got a tattoo on my right shoulder/arm. I went to remove a shirt and my finger nail scratched the scab. It pulled a small part of the scab up, but it did not remove it. I gently pushed the scab back down, and let it go. The scratched scab now appears to have reattached itself back into the tattoo. It did bleed a little bit. My question is, will this part of the tattoo appear faded when it heals, or is there a better chance that it will heal normal since the scab was healed back into itself?
25 Curt // May 6, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Rob, it’s hard to give you an exact answer. You will have to wait until the scab falls off on its own to know.
The problem is that the ink needs to be under the skin and if your scab removed that layer of skin it may lead to loss of pigment.
Luckily most tattooist offer touch ups for free, If they don’t get a new tattooist.
26 Ve3 // Jul 10, 2008 at 7:53 am
I have a Question, I Just Got A Tattoo On My Foot Yesterday… And I Have One On my butt that peels off with the ink after days after. And its been looking old and faded. What Can I Do To Prevent That From Happen It Again. Its All Blk and I wanna keep it looking new
27 Curt // Jul 10, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Ve3, The best thing to do to keep a tattoo looking its best is to heal it properly. You must keep it moist and baby it. A tattoo may look faded a week or two after the initial tattooing process but will regain its luster once fully healed.
28 Glenn // Aug 16, 2008 at 7:41 am
I have a question about nipple re-piercing. I had my nipples pierced, and gradually over a couple of years stretched form a 10 g to a 2 g. they then (either because they were too heavy, or too close to the surface) migrated out. I waited about nine months before piercing again, and they migrated out again this time at only 8 ga. They have been out for years now. Can I try again? I will try some scar removal cream first if you think that well help.
29 MARKIEC // Aug 18, 2008 at 7:48 pm
my new tatoo color is very,very light,when i asked the artist who did it he said some bodys reject a color &it will have to be redone with a darker color,is it possiable for a persons skin to reject a color? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME & HAVE A GREAT DAY & A BETTER TOMORROW MARKIEC
30 Curt // Aug 20, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Glenn,
Newer over the counter scar removal creams (mostly just vitamin E) do work wonders and i recommend that anyone trying to lighten a scar or try something to remove excess tissue give them a try.
You can pierce any skin weather it is scar tissue or not, keep in mind that the more your trauma you submit an area to the less likely it will be to heal properly.
Keep in mind not everyone can keep a specific piercing in. Your body is rejecting the jewelery and may continue to do so, no matter what you do.
31 Curt // Aug 20, 2008 at 2:19 pm
MARKIEC,
I would be skeptical of your tattooist ability. There is of course a possibility an ingredient in the ink may be rejected by your body but this is usually in the form of a rash accompanied by itching and a feeling of “this shouldn’t be in there”.
if your colors are light i would first look at how you healed the tattoo. Did you… go swimming right after getting it, pull off scabs early, use a cream that you shouldn’t have?
If you are certain that you healed it properly then its time to look at your tattoo artist who may have applied the ink too deep or just not put enough ink in.
I hope that answers your question.
32 Jen // Sep 3, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Hey Curt, just wanted to say that I’ve been looking into getting a tattoo and your website is easily the best and most informative one there is! :D
Also, I know this is going to be a pretty subjective answer but I’m a bit pathetic when it comes to pain…just how bad is it? (or at least, what kind of pain is it?) I mean, I would love to get a tattoo, I’ve thought of a design that means alot to me but I’m just not sure if the pain would be worth it! (I’d like to get a tattoo on my ankle)
I read your page about ELMA cream, but I wasn’t sure if all tattooists would let you use it? (Plus I live in England so will they have heard of it!?)
Thanks for your time x
33 Curt // Sep 4, 2008 at 11:01 am
Jen,
Thank you for your kind words.
The pain of a tattoo will greatly depend on where you get it. The “softer” your skin texture the more painful the tattoo usually is. An example of soft skin would be ; your armpit, inner thigh, feet, underside of the arm, etc.
The pain can be intense but is tolerable. I would compare the sensation of tattooing to that of a small burn. Tattooing doesn’t really feel like a needle its more like a sharpie with a really hot tip drawing on your skin.
Hope that helps!
34 Jen // Sep 4, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Hey Curt,
That does help thanks loads, like I say I want the tattoo on my ankle so hopefully that shouldn’t be too bad! I think what’s more scary than the pain is not knowing what it will feel like, so you’ve put my mind at ease a bit now.
And now I’m really looking forward to getting it done, roll on payday!!
Thanks again.
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