Finger tattoos exude delicacy and can serve as a contemporary alternative to traditional rings. The minimalist nature of these quietly visible tattoos allow you to express your personal style subtly yet impactfully. However, this same nature leads to an obvious follow-up: how long do finger tattoos last? Due to the constant use of our hands for our everyday life activities such as washing, cleaning, writing and more, the friction these tattoos face put them at a higher risk of fading, and they require more frequent touch-ups compared to artwork on other parts of the body. Despite this potential challenge, if you still find the allure of finger tattoos irresistible, this article is for you. Read on to figure out why they fade, how long they usually last, and ways to make your finger tattoos last longer.
How Long Do Finger Tattoos Last?
In general, finger tattoos may last for 6-8 months. Anecdotal evidence suggests that with the right aftercare practices, you may even maintain their vibrancy for about 12-18 months. However, once they hit this mark, the tattoos may start looking faded and blurred.
That said, there is no definite answer to the question of how long they last, as the deterioration of finger tattoo designs depend on various factors. For instance, the longevity of finger tattoos may depend on their placement. If placed on the sides or undersides of fingers, they may fade faster, as these areas are more prone to friction from contact with the skin. Additionally, if the ink used is not high quality So, if you are wondering how long inner finger tattoos last, you have your answer, and they may not last long without touch ups.
Cerise, a blogger, shared about all her tattoos, including a finger tattoo that she got with her friend. She states in one of her blog posts, “I ended up getting a finger tattoo 2 years ago, it used to be hot pink and look like my inner elbow star tattoo but It faded dramatically.” Cerise further mentioned that she is no longer friends with the person, but she has no regrets about the tattoo, adding, “I think it symbolizes my strength to overcome anything life will throw at me, even those who try to destroy me. Even the fading symbolizes something, that even stains on my skin, like those on my heart can eventually fade and I can forgive and move on (i).”
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The historical origin of finger tattoos dates back to ancient civilizations, where Egyptian women commonly adorned their fingers with dainty, black dots and shapes.
The time taken for finger tattoos to fade not only depends on placement, but the time also varies from person to person. But why do these body art designs fade so quickly, especially compared to other tattoo placements? Find this out below.
Why Do Finger Tattoos Fade?
Fingers have less flesh and more bone, which may make tattooing them painful, as compared to other body parts. This especially holds true for people with a lower pain tolerance. However, fading is also a factor that may make you want to reconsider getting this piece of ink. Read below for reasons why fading comes about:
1. Exposure To Abrasives
The skin on our hands and fingers are constantly exposed to soaps and detergents on a daily basis. The chemicals present in these cleaning agents may strip away the natural oils and lipids from your skin, causing it to dull over time (1). This may potentially affect the longevity and vibrancy of your tattoos, as well.
2. Constant Movement And Friction
Due to daily activities like washing, writing, cooking, and typing, our fingers are constantly in motion and rubbing against each other or outside surfaces. This constant movement combined with thin finger skin can cause the tattoo to wear away faster.
3. Constant Sun Exposure
Sun exposure may break down the pigments in the tattoo, leading to fading over time (2). Since our fingers and hands are more exposed to sunlight, and without much protection, tattoos inked on them may fade quickly.
4. High Rate Of Skin Regeneration
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the skin cells on the top layers of the finger skin regenerate at a faster rate than the other parts of the body. This rapid cellular activity may cause the ink to fade from the skin more quickly. However, since tattoo ink is injected into the dermis, which is the middle layer of skin, this may just be a misconception (3).
5. Accidents Or Injuries
Since our hands are constantly in use, they also run the risk of being injured while performing the many activities we use them for throughout the day, especially during cooking and cleaning. Also, if we accidentally trip over something, our first thought is to use our hands to stop ourselves from losing balance. While you may escape unscathed, the other side is that you may injure yourself in a freak accident. If this happens to the tattooed area, it may distort the ink or cause scarring that may affect the visibility of the tattoo and lead to its eventual fading.
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