Finger tattoos are delicate and elegant and act as a trendy replacement for rings, it’s no wonder finger tattoos are what everyone’s talking about. Celebrities all over the globe are getting new finger tattoos, leaving the general population inspired to do the same. With iridescent finger tattoos all over TikTok, we will discuss the secrets that aren’t discussed. How long do finger tattoos last? Do they fade? What can I do to take better care of my finger tattoos?
How long do finger tattoos last generally?
Finger tattoos are notoriously known for their inability to stay forever. In fact, on average, they will only last for 6 months to a year at most!
This is due to the fact that your hands are exposed to friction on a daily basis. Think about how much you use your hands, or even just wash them! Friction, water, sunlight, sweat and other textures all play a part in the wear and tear of your tattoo. Consistent exposure to these types of conditions makes the tattoo fade a lot faster than if it were anywhere else on the body.
How long do finger tattoos last?- Why does fading happen?
Your hands are exposed to different textures, temperatures, movement and more. You already know that UV rays from the sunlight can damage your tattoo, but did you know that colder weather can also be a factor? During winter, your hands are coarser and may be prone to dryness.
In addition to external factors, the skin on the hands sheds and regenerates faster than in any other part of the body, making your tattoo shed at a fast rate, along with your skin.
How long do finger tattoos last if I take good care of the tattoo?
If you take good care of your tattoo, you can expect it to fade less and be around for a little while longer. There are certain practices that you can put into place to make your finger tattoo last longer. Here are a few tips:
- Take good care of your tattoo- Aftercare of your tattoo is extremely important to make it last longer. You can take certain precautions to make sure that your tattoo is properly cleaned and moisturised. We have written a blog about this, check it out here.
- Don’t get an overcomplicated design- Avoid getting complex and detailed designs as these will be prone to fading and blurring.
- Keep your skin hydrated- By keeping your skin hydrated from the inside and the outside, you can minimise the chance of your skin drying and tattoo shedding. It is especially important to moisturize after the skin is exposed to water as this is when the skin is prone to drying out (ironically).
The secrets of getting a finger tattoo
- Finger tattoos are close to the bone and hurt. In addition to this, they are close to nerve endings, making it one of the most painful areas to get tattooed. To experience this in the best possible light, it is advisable that you use tattoo numbing cream to ease the pain.
- Finger tattoos fade and require top-ups- Keep in mind to choose a simple finger tattoo to make sure that this process isn’t more complex than it needs to be. If you require frequent top-ups, this also means that it will generally be more expensive than any other tattoo.
- They may blur- The skin around the fingers is generally a bit looser than any other part of the body, meaning that the ink in the finger may have more room to move.