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How to Take Care of Your Tattoos As You Age

Kevin Devoto
Tattoos are a popular form of self-expression. After your ink is complete, you receive special care instructions that are meant to protect your healing skin and prevent issues with your new body art. Taking care of your tattoos doesn’t end when your skin has fully healed.
Your tattoos will last for the rest of your life. The natural aging process, however, can impact what your ink looks like in 20, 30, and 40 years later (or longer). Over time, the image can fade, blur, or become distorted. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to keep your tattoos looking great for many years to come.

Always Wear Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen is vital for protecting your skin against sunburn. Sunscreen reduces your risk for developing skin cancer and helps to protect against premature aging (which includes signs like age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles).
You should always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Sunscreen should be worn all year round, not just during the summer months.
In addition to protecting your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, sunscreen is important for tattoo protection. Sun exposure can cause the ink to fade over time. The more sun exposure your tattoos see, the faster they fade. Sunscreen should be applied to exposed skin and tattoos every time you go outside to keep the ink looking great.

Moisturize Regularly

Dry skin is just plain uncomfortable. It’s itchy, scaly, and likely to crack and bleed. In addition to impacting the overall health of your skin, dryness can also impact the appearance of your tattoos. When your skin is dry, your tattoos are more likely to fade or blur.
Moisturizing daily (or even multiple times a day) is important for keeping your skin soft and smooth. It also helps to keep your tattoos looking fresh and vibrant.
While you can choose a moisturizer meant for tattoos, regular daily moisturizer will work just as well. Just be sure to choose a lotion that doesn’t use any additives or fragrances. These can defeat the purpose of the lotion by further drying out your skin.

Use an Anti-Aging Cream

As you age, your body’s natural collagen production slows. Your skin loses its elasticity, which leads to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. When this happens, you begin to look older. The appearance of your tattoos can also be affected.
You can help to reduce the signs of aging with an anti-aging cream like sculptmedix. Anti-aging products can help to boost your body’s natural collagen production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles while giving your skin a firmer, more lifted appearance. Not only will your skin look more youthful, but your tattoos will continue to look great, too.

Maintain Your Weight

Drastic changes in your weight affect your overall appearance as well as the appearance of your tattoos. Pregnancy, weight loss, weight gain, and weight fluctuations due to aging can all impact what your tattoo looks like.
Maintaining your weight will help to maintain the appearance of your tattoos. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t lose weight if you want or that you shouldn’t get pregnant just to preserve your tattoos. Instead, make changes gradually. Slower changes in your weight are less likely to impact the appearance of your tattoos.

Don't Forget to Hydrate

Drinking plenty of water is vital for the normal functions of your body. Hydration is also key for your skin’s health. You can tell you’re not drinking enough water if your skin looks dull and dry.
Sufficient water intake is essential for plump, moisturized, healthy skin. When your skin is healthy, your body art will look better as well. Make sure that you drink plenty of water every day.
Taking good care of your skin is essential for preserving the appearance of your tattoos as you get older. Proper skin care also helps to protect the health of your skin, keeping it (and your tattoos) looking great for years to come.