Why Do Tattoos Turn Green

When a tattoo is new, the colours are almost always bright and appealing. But, over time, the sharpness fades. One of the most common (and most unwanted) signs of tattoo fading is when dark ink turns green as it ages.

Is there a way to avoid this type of colour change?

Why Do Some Tattoos Turn Green

The reason tattoos turn green is that some of the ink gets absorbed into the skin, lightening the concentration and creating a green hue.

Black ink is the most common culprit, but other shades change over time in other different ways. Here are some other factors, in addition to age, that can contribute to the green tattoo issue:

1. The brand of the ink
2. Exposure to sunlight
3. Skin health
4. Colour tone of your skin

Tattoo cream will be applied but you must ensure that you remain still during the session so the artist can apply the ink properly. With a skin-numbing cream like Numbastay, you will enjoy a pain-free experience as well.

The Importance of Tattoo Ink

Black ink is the most common culprit. Why? It typically gets its dark hue by combining different shades, including dark green. As the ink ages and gets absorbed, the different colour components start to show. Green (and sometimes blue) shades are the last to get absorbed.

This issue is more evident with older or low-quality inks. Today's modern varieties typically have better stabilisers, so they are more durable. They will still turn green because of the process of absorption into the skin. Factors like sun exposure can still speed up ageing regardless of the ink quality.

What Can You Do to Avoid Tattoos Turning Green?

You should ensure your tattoo artist uses quality ink. Older products are more prone to fading. All tattoos will fade eventually, but good ink will last for decades.

There are two additional simple steps to combat ink going green:

1. Wear sunscreen on your tattooed areas to prevent the ink from fading.
2. Consider tattoo placement in an area without friction to avoid constant rubbing.

You should also ask your artist any additional care tips they suggest to keep your colours looking sharp for as long as possible.

If you need tattoo cream in Australia, consider Numbastay. This product, an effective skin-numbing cream containing tetracaine, prilocaine, and lidocaine, reduces pain during tattooing and the artist can correctly apply the ink to reduce the chance of premature absorption into the skin.