60 Best Color Tattoos (That Fade The Least)
Deciding on receiving a tattoo sometimes takes some time, and we wish for the tattoo to last as long as the choosing process. However, the pigments you pick for your body art are pretty substantial as the shade depicts how long it will last. So, which ten colors stay the longest?
Professionals consider black and grey the best colors that avoid fading over time. Lighter shades on the color spectrum tend to fade faster than darker shades. That is why white fades the fastest out of all the colors. Therefore, colors such as dark greens, blues, reds, purples, and browns.
Let us look at all the shades you can choose from with the earlier colors mentioned – excluding black. We will also discuss why lighter colors fade faster and whether a touch-up is necessary. In addition, we will reveal what causes fading and how to prevent the fading of your tattoos from happening.
Most Popular Colors For Tattoos Throughout The Years
As previously stated, black and greys have been the most used color since the beginning of tattoo artistry. Black has always been the best color for line work, and with grey, it has also been highly used for shading purposes to create remarkable depth in tattoo designs. These colors are also unbiased to all skin tones, making them available to anyone of any color.
Tattoos in America dates back very long but became more regulars from the early 20th century. Black and grey are also shades that do not cause allergic reactions. However, people have often stated that colored inks such as red and white tend to cause different responses from individuals who are allergic to substances used to create the ink.
People only added colors during the 1940s when looking at an American context. Unsurprisingly, this discovery gave both artists and customers new ideas and designs for possible future artworks. In addition, this discovery increased the tattoo industry’s demands as more people became intrigued by the concept of body art.
Different Dark Shades Of Red For Tattoos
Dark red is associated with vigor, anger, rage, courage, leadership, malice, and wrath. There is a vast range of dark red shades to choose from, some colors differing in minor ways. Let us see all of the possible options for the colors red that will last longer for your tattoo.
- Maroon Red
- Burgundy Red
- Cherry Red
- Ruby Red
- Garnet Red
- Currant Red
- Sangria Red
- Lipstick Red
- Blood Red
- Wine Red
Different Dark Shades Of Blue For Tattoos
Dark blue represents knowledge, power, integrity, royalty, and seriousness. There is a large spectrum of these beautiful deep shades available. First, let us look at the different shades of dark blue that are best suited for long-lasting tattoos.
- Galaxy Blue
- Scotch Blue
- Navy Blue
- Interstellar Blue
- Cetacean Blue
- Maastricht Blue
- Oxford Blue
- Resolution Blue
- Royal Blue
- Prussian Blue
- Night Blue
- Space Cadet Blue
Different Dark Shades Of Green For Tattoos
Dark green symbolizes ambition, greed, and jealousy. However, this rich color, which is often not people’s first choice, offers an excellent opportunity for a beautiful essence of forestry and growth. Let us look at a list of the different shades of green that are the best choice for your tattoos.
- Cadmium Green
- Evergreen Green
- Forest Green
- Golf Green
- Jungle Green
- Lake Green
- Medium Green
- Midnight Green
- Moss Green
- Peacock Green
Different Dark Shades Of Purple For Tattoos
Dark purple indicates royalty, nobility, luxury, power, and ambition. In addition, this color evokes vastness and mystery, which makes it quite compelling. Below is a list of different shades of purple on the darker side of the scale best suited for your tattoos.
- Plum Purple
- Sangria Purple
- Jam Purple
- Mulberry Purple
- Eggplant Purple
- Wine Purple
- Rasin Purple
- Boysenberry Purple
- Grape Purple
- Northwestern Purple
Different Dark Shades Of Grey For Tattoos
Dark grey is critical, solemn, and inflexible, often associated with self-denial and self-discipline. It is a diplomatic color, walking the line between black and white. Grey is a very neutral color compatible with many other colors, making it an excellent choice for your tattoo. Let us see a few shades that you can choose.
- Smoke Grey
- Anchor Grey
- Ash Grey
- Porpoise Grey
- Fog Grey
- Pebble Grey
- Lead Grey
- Charcoal Grey
- Arsenic Grey
- Davy’s Grey
Different Dark Shades Of Brown For Tattoos
The color brown, in general, symbolizes reliability and stability. However, dark brown represents strong, yet it could also have a sad and depressing effect. It also connects back to earth and soil. Let us look at different dark shades of this earthy color for your future tattoos.
- Brownie Brown
- Seal Brown
- Cocoa Brown
- Deep Brown
- Ponzu Brown
- Rich Brown
- Morocco Brown
- Scorched Brown
- Boson Brown
- Woodland Brown
7 Reasons Why Your Tattoos Are Fading
Many people who become newly invested in the world of body do not entirely understand what causes fading of tattoos besides the choice of color. There is various other reason that can cause your tattoo to fade. Let us observe some of the more reoccurring instances.
New tattoo enthusiasts do not consider that the placement can affect how long it lasts. However, choosing your tattoo’s location is vital because fading occurs when the tattoo is in an area that repetitively rubs against other body parts or clothing. The quality of the ink that the professional uses also affects the duration of the body art.
Choose your tattoo artist carefully, as an experienced artist will properly insert the ink into the correct skin layer. They will also perfectly follow the process of aftercare, helping your tattoo to heal thoroughly. Another fundamental reason for fading is UV rays from the sun connecting with your exposed tattoo. These rays tend to cause the color to fade more rapidly.
Unavoidably, your tattoo will be affected by the aging process, which means wear and tear caused by wrinkles, sagging, and loosening of the skin. And, as previously mentioned, the shade of the color vitally matters. The lighter the color, the higher the chance of fading occurring faster – this is why watercolor tattoos often have a short duration.
How Aging Can Affect The Lasting Of Your Tattoo
Because we naturally age, certain body parts will eventually submit to age-related changes such as stretching, sagging, and loss of elasticity. These changes will affect the quality of your tattoo over the years. In addition, the thickness and thinness of the skin can affect the longevity of your tattoo.
Dermatologist Edgar Fincher states that shoulders and ankles have tight skin meaning the skin does not loosen or sag over time. Another dermatologist named Naissan O. Wesley says that tattoos on palms and soles do not last as long because the skin’s thickness prevents the tattoo from going deep into the skin.
Wesley also echoes the concept of sun exposure as areas of the body that have had reoccurring UV light damage over someone’s lifetime will result in having less dense collagen and more mottled pigmentation, ending in poorer skin quality in general. This process concludes with faded, discolored, and less-taut tattoos.
This information supports that the choice of placement is an important decision when assessing the longevity of your tattoo over your lifespan. There are different factors to consider, such as the thickness or thinness of the skin and the consistent exposure to harsh UV light.
Ways To Prevent Your Tattoo From Fading
There are additional ways to provide proper aftercare for your tattoos yourself and from home. Here are a few ways to ensure that your tattoo remains to look outstanding with no fading visible.
One way to prevent fading is to keep your tattoo clean and moisturized. This step also includes washing your fresh tattoo with lukewarm water and mild antimicrobial soap. The professional artist will also instruct you to apply a recommended ointment to the sensitive skin for the first few days.
This tip is essential! Do not pick at scabs while your tattoo is still healing, as this can cause permanent damage to the skin. And finally, keep a freshly done tattoo out of direct sun rays for a reason previously revealed.
The Perfect Sunscreen To Prevent Tattoo Fading
Exposure to harsh UV light can not only permanently damage the skin, but it can also make your tattoo fade quicker. This process is because the direct effect of UV on the tattoo pigment leads to fading of color and breaking down of pigmentation. Below is a list of a few sunscreen products best suited to prevent any UV influence on your tattoo’s lifespan.
- Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 – with its weightless feel and quick-drying formula, this sunscreen provides immediate coverage in packaging that is convenient for travel. It also contains colloidal oatmeal, which helps to prevent irritation.
- CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 30 – CeraVe is an effective dermatologist-approved sunscreen. The product contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides while remaining fragrance-free, making it the perfect match for sensitive skin.
- Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick SPF 50 – when initially applied, it glides on with a visible white, but this only happens to indicate that enough of the product is getting used. The formula, containing squalene, changes into a transparent layer of protection once you rub it in with your fingers.
- Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 – this product is safe to apply on both the body and the face – ensure to properly rub in the soft white formula until it completely disappears. The water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 50 provides complete and efficient protection with it correctly used.
- EltaMD UV Active Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 – this is another product that is recognized and recommended by various dermatologists. The formula is constructed explicitly for active or sweat-prone individuals as it contains ingredients that provide water resistance properties.
- Neutrogena Clear Body Lotion SPF 30 – with the immense transparency that the formula provides, gives your tattoo the full ability to shine through and remain in the spotlight. It also gets manufactured to accommodate sensitive skin and is non-comedogenic and free of synthetic fragrances.
Getting A Tattoo Touch-Up And Considering A New Design
If all of this information has reached you too late and your tattoo has already faded. However, do not fret as we have you covered. The most efficient way to revive your tattoo back to its entire youth is to make an appointment with a professional artist for a “touch-up session.”
This suggestion entails that the faded areas will receive a packing of reapplied ink and the application of new highlights. In addition, this session will improve the tattoo by giving it more depth and textures.
A faded tattoo is relatively easy to replenish by using darker inks; however, a new design can also cover a faded tattoo. So, another option for you, should your tattoo become extremely faint, is to do a cover-up. This process means that an artist will place a new tattoo design over the old one.
The artist will most likely use oranges, blues, magentas, greens, and browns as they perfectly camouflage an old tattoo. In addition, a well-chosen artist should be able to cover an unwanted design entirely. Therefore, if your tattoo fades and you have grown bored of the artwork, this is the best option for you.
Conclusion
To summarize, all of the information we have mentioned, lighter colors will always fade faster than darker shades. That is why black has continuously been the go-to color for years, and it will probably remain as such. However, there are also other ways for a professional and you to prevent fading in the years to come, including the usage of specific sunscreens.
Should a day come where it is too late, and the tattoo has faded, all hope is not lost as this problem is easily fixable. You can choose to either book an appointment for a “touch-up” session or a “cover-up” session. So, with all of the possible instances covered, you can enjoy your tattoo lifestyle with no worries for the future.
