Many people who get tattoos often neglect getting touch-ups. After getting their tattoos done, they just leave it as it is.

However, over time, tattoos fade due to sun exposure or the ink pulling out as it heals. This does not mean your tattoo has to look like that forever, though. Tattoo shops offer touch-ups to keep the tattoos looking good and brand new.

How Do I Know I Need a Touch-up?

Most of the time, when you need a touch-up, it will be noticeable. The colors may be dull or your tattoo may seem faded. This should not be normal and is a telling sign that you will need a touch-up.

If you also see broken lines or patchy, uneven areas, then these are also signs you will need a touch-up. Basically, if you see anything looking odd with your tattoo or it may not be like what you imagined, you may want to consult with your artist.

When Do I Need a Touch-up? 

It is important to know that there is no certain time period that you need to wait before getting a touch-up. Some tattoos after healing may immediately need to be touched up due to improper healing and ink being pulled out.

If your tattoo does end up healing properly, it may have to take some time before you need a touch-up. It could be years before you have to get your tattoos redone. If you regularly go in for a session, you may want to have your artist check your older tattoos to see if they need touching up.

Can I Get It Touched Up While It Is Healing?

A healing tattoo is an open wound and should not be touched up. It will also not look exactly the way it does while it is healing versus when it is fully healed. Meaning, it may still be difficult to tell whether your tattoo needs touching up or not while it is at this stage.

It is better to get it touched up after the healing stage of two to four weeks. However, this still varies per individual. Ideally, you should try to get a touch-up if needed a month after it was first done, as long as it is fully healed.

How Long Does It Take for a Touch-up to Heal?

A touch-up is essentially just like a normal tattoo on top of your old tattoo. What this means is that it will undergo the same healing process as your other tattoos. So just like your normal tattoos, it may go from two to four weeks.

However, some touch-ups may be so small you may not even notice them. Make sure to care for your touch-ups just like how you care for your normal tattoos.

Do Touch-ups Hurt More?

As mentioned earlier, touch-ups are just normal tattoos, meaning they should not hurt more or less than getting tattooed. However, pain is subjective and depends on each person.

Some may find their touch-ups more painful because they have not gotten a tattoo in a while or have forgotten the experience. Others do not feel more than a slight discomfort because they are used to the pain of the tattoo. So touch-ups do not necessarily hurt more.

Conclusion

Tattoos need constant touching up. They do not always stay the way they look for a long time and will need to be maintained. When your tattoo is starting to look different, remember to talk to a professional, because a touch-up may be needed.

If you are looking for retouch tattoo artists, Certified Tattoo is here for you! We offer different tattoo services like touch-up and cover-ups, as well as piercings in the Colorado area. Book your appointment with us today for your body art expression.