Due to fire Adrenaline Granville is operating out of SOH tattoo at 1068 Granville st. Same Block, Same side. Thank you for your continued support.

Can You Darken a Tattoo

Overtime a tattoo fades. While there are behaviors that can cause fading that you should watch out for, you simply want to know if there is anything that you can do to darken it. There are both practical short term and long term solutions to consider. Read ahead to learn more.

What You Can Do to Darken a Faded Tattoo Today, and Tomorrow

Lotions for Immediate (yet short term) Results

Avid Shark Tank viewers (aren’t we all?) may recall an episode where a pair of young entrepreneurs pitched a moisturizing solution for bringing old tattoos back to life. The proprietary lines of lotions and creams from Mad Rabbit Tattoo reportedly darkened the appearance of a tattoo, but not the actual ink itself. Mark Cuban invested in the brand that went from a $600 side hustle to an over $4.2 million dollar valuation. So yes, there are dedicated balms, creams, and lotions on the market that can darken the appearance of your tattoo. These can be great for when you want to show off your body ink on any given day, whether going to the beach or for a night out on the town. It’s an effective albeit short term solution. Still, if you don’t mind a little rub down each day it is the most practical solution. Plus, these moisturizers typically contain ingredients that provide excellent protection for your tattoo, even if you’re well beyond the “aftercare” stage. It’s never too late to shield your ink from further fading. The next time you’re in our shop/s, ask Adrenaline Studios staff about topical ointments on site that may be available for purchase.

A Longer Term Solution for Darkening Your Tattoo

If you find that dedicated balms and creams just aren’t doing the trick, or you don’t want to deal with the manual daily hassle, then you might prefer a permanent (assuming aftercare is followed) solution. It’s an obvious but effective route – and while more costly (than lotions) you should look at it as a longterm investment. It’s your body after all! If the artist who originally applied your tattoo can still be found in the same city as you, then they should be more than happy to darken the tattoo. As a return client they may even provide a discount, especially if they feel that the fading was the result of poor work. What if you can’t track down the original tattooist? You may have heard that some tattooists won’t work over another artist’s ink. It’s an honorable stance, but that doesn’t do you any favors. Adrenaline Studios instead believes that the power should always be given back to the people that keep our industry alive – which includes you. Our shops have artists that work wonders in correcting errors and covering up unwanted designs, and they are also more than happy to darken a faded tattoo.

If you’re located within or are visiting the Greater Vancouver BC or Toronto ON area you can schedule a consultation at a tattoo shop near you. Let’s bring that tattoo back to life!