How to Preserve a Tattoo

Keep a tattoo looking fresh and clean with a few basic steps

Nothing lasts forever--except a tattoo. We’ve all seen some tattoos that have dried up, faded or ended up looking like a giant grey blob. Yours doesn’t have to, as long as you take special care. You can preserve a tattoo with a few basic tips.

Things You'll Need

• Skin lotion or baby oil
• <br>Sunscreen

Instructions

1. Pick a tattoo that will last. Anything with incredibly minute details or lots of colors will fade faster than a simple design with only a few hues.

2. Follow new tattoo instructions. Keeping a new tattoo dry and protected is essential for its longevity. The ink needs to fully heal into your skin. Ask your tattoo artist for direction.

3. Keep the tattoo supple. This means applying skin lotion or baby oil daily, perhaps after a shower, to keep it soft and fresh.

4. Keep it out of the sun. Use a high potency sunscreen to cover your tattoo at all times.

5. Consider touch ups. Colors are the first to fade but small details may also need some revision.

Tips & Warnings

• Extreme weight gain or loss will alter your tattoo. Consider a touch up if this is the case.

• Reds and yellows will fade quicker than blues and greens.