Our skin is made up of three layers – the epidermis, which forms a protective barrier against infections; the dermis, which contains the hair follicles, sweat glands and blood vessels; and the subcutaneous fat layer, which attaches the dermis to the muscles and bones underneath.

As soon as the tattoo needle punctures the skin and ink is deposited, the body’s immune system springs into action to try and repair the skin. It perceives the ink as a threat and sends macrophages to the area to try to contain it, so it can get rid of it.

Unfortunately for the macrophages (and fortunately for us tattoo lovers), the ink particles are way too big for them to absorb and destroy. So, they end up absorbing the ink and keeping them permanently in the dermis.

However, over time and with frequent sun exposure, the ink particles will get broken down into smaller particles. This allows the body to get rid of the pigment where it gets carried away by the bloodstream, into the lymph nodes, and eventually, gets eliminated as waste. This is why tattoos look faded as the years go by.

Once the tattoo is fully healed, that can only mean one thing: the outermost layer of skin (the epidermis) has already healed. This means that the ink that’s gotten in the epidermis would be gone, the old ink-laden epidermis would be replaced by new, clear and ink-free skin. This is why tattoos look lighter just right after a few weeks.

1. Your immune system

Getting a tattoo is not natural for your body, which sees the ink as an invader. This means your immune system will try to attack and disperse the ink over time.

2.The Sun

The UV frequencies in sunlight are energetic enough to break down the ink molecules over time, so tattoos that are always exposed fade quicker than those covered by clothing.

3. Poor initial care and overall skincare

Most people pay close attention to skin care immediately after getting a tattoo by keeping it clean and applying a natural moisturizer as required. However, once the healing period has passed they begin to fall back into old habits. Skin (under and around the tattoo) becomes dry and flakey and eventually lightens as dead skin gives way to the lighter layers below. Don’t let this happen. Instead, treat every week as if it was the one immediately following your tattoo to the point that it becomes habitual and not a burden in any way. A few minutes of skincare per a day can leave you with a great looking tattoo for decades to come.

4.Friction and sweating

Not all areas of the body are primed for tattooing. Some are best left alone, especially areas that get a lot of contact, friction, and sweat. Generally, the more contact and friction there is, the more wear on your skin, and the faster the ink will fade.

All tattoos fade and blur a bit over time. Getting fineline/micro tattoos compared with getting traditional tattoos (thick lines, heavy colour packing), means there is much less ink tattooed into your skin. Imagine getting two tattoos (one with bold lines, one with thin lines) next to each other at the same time. After time they both fade 10%, the one with bold lines will still look very visible, but the the fineline one will seem almost disappeared. Getting a small and delicate tattoo means that you need to take extra care of it. Since our bodies change over time, it’s only natural that tattoos, too, will change as time progresses. As the years go by, you can either touch up your ink, or let the fading be a new aesthetic.