The Truth About Watercolour Tattoos

 

As with most trends in the tattoo world, watercolour tattoos took off quickly but met some harsh scepticism from tattoo fanatics and artists alike. These tattoos were originally crafted in order to mimic how watercolour paint would spread across paper and due to their soft, pleasing aesthetic, hundreds of people across the world have opted for this tattoo style in recent years. Whether you’re considering a watercolour tattoo, or you already have one and want to know more about your tattoo removal potential for the future, we’re looking deeper into the truth about watercolour tattoos.

The Scepticism

Tattoos are always met with scepticism by some, but when that comes from the artists themselves, it’s time we started paying a little more attention. However, as far as watercolour tattoos are concerned, even the artists can’t seem to agree on any one opinion. The main argument in the whole debacle is that watercolour tattoos won’t last, but with very few, if any of this design being old enough to truly make that claim, it’s an argument that’s still hot in the industry and often isn’t backed by very much evidence for either side. Some artists claim that it’s a myth crafted by amateur tattooists, while others claim that artists who agree to do these tattoos are exploiting their customers.

How Long Do They Last?

As mentioned previously, it’s practically impossible to determine how long a watercolour tattoo will actually last. As with any tattoo, the ‘staying power’ often depends on a lot of different factors, including the quality of the tattoo in the first place and its placement. As the tattoo ages, whether it’s watercolour or otherwise, you will witness some fading and this can easily be fixed with touch-ups. The question is, however, do watercolours fade faster? The general consensus seems to be yes or at least that it would be more noticeable. Without any dark lines to keep the tattoo ‘uniform’, the colours can look blurred and undefined much more quickly.

Do They Look Better On Lighter Skin?

It’s another argument that watercolour tattoos tend to look better on light skin and while this is partially true, it doesn’t mean darker-skinned individuals can’t opt for this style too. The light, ‘translucent’ colouring of the ink tends to show better on lighter skin tones, but with smart colour decisions and experienced tattooists, any skin tone could have this effect.

Where Is The Ideal Placement?

Much like any tattoo, the placement can have a profound effect on how well it lasts but it ultimately comes down to your personal preference and what you can afford to do. Think about your lifestyle restrictions, whether that’s workplace rules or a sporty lifestyle that may mean keeping it somewhere where clothing won’t rub too often. However, the sun can also age and fade the tattoo much more quickly, especially with the translucent ink, so opting for an area that can comfortably be kept out of the sun is also advisable.

Watercolour tattoos may or may not fade faster than others – it’s too soon to truly tell. Whether the scepticism is warranted or not is often a matter of your personal opinion but if you’ve been considering a watercolour tattoo, hopefully, we’ve helped you ultimately make the right decision for you.