Fine Line & Micro Tattoos
Are fine line tattoos for you?
Over the last decade, there has been incredible advancement throughout the tattoo industry. From the rise of light battery-powered machines to the sharing of information amongst artists, there has been much improvement but also a rise in expectation from clients. One of the many controversial styles and methods of tattooing are fine line and micro tattoos! Some people disregard them based on style, but some arguments against these types of tattoos have to do with their longevity and overall advertisement. So let’s find out if fine line and/or micro tattoos are for you!
It is important to note, there are a wide array of fine line tattoos and ways to execute them. Not all artists tattoo the same, not all clients follow the same aftercare, and not all skin behaves the same. With multiple variables, its is hard to give straightforward answers, and at the end of the day tattooing is both an art and a service for many. But lets take a look at things to consider…
What is a fine line tattoo?
Fine line tattoos are primarily looked at as pieces done with tight, small needle groupings or single needles. They can range from dainty one -word script, to more illustrative works with shading. There have been many artists that pioneered and contributed to fine line tattooing such as Charlie Cartwright, Jack Rudy, and Freddy Negrete. From prison cells to Pinterest, fine line tattoos have been around for quite some time and produced with various methods by various artists.
What is a micro tattoo?
Micro tattoos are typically defined by being “small.” This can be simple line designs under 2inches or full realism pieces contained to the size of your palm (micro-realism). Micro tattoos are inherently almost always fine-line, but micro-realism is a bit more complicated and more subjective to each artist. For the most part, micro-realism and the issues associated are similar to fine line issues with the addition of preferring flat, low-movement locations. For simplicity, I’ll be mostly referring to fine line tattoos but you can assume similar issues overlap with micro tattoos and some micro-realism.
So, how do they age and what to consider….
They age like any other tattoo! All tattoos age, this is just a fact. They live within the organ of your skin, each tiny ink particle being held in place by your own immune system! Over time, the overall look of tattoos does change. The ink expands and shifts giving the look of fuzzy, less defined lines or washed out colors. This being said, no matter how small or thin a single line is, it will appear thicker and/or faint over time and color can lose its vibrancy or solidity. The time frame can range from 2-4 weeks while your tattoo is still healing to 5-10 years with general aging. This can be caused by flaws in execution (not depositing ink deep enough for fear of blowouts or just poor techniques), specific materials used (the needle grouping, color ink, or even a heavier machine), the care put towards the tattoo (scratching, picking, soaking, or baking your tattoo before it’s fully healed), skin reaction (infection, inflammation), and (as stated before) aging. This means no matter how small or thin you would like a tattoo, it will still behave the way any tattoo does. Your results will still be best if you are willing to follow your artist advice on size and placement. Small tiny cursive e’s and l’s can expand and look like tiny grey ovals. Tiny stars and dots can fade and lose some of their definition. Super thin lines can be hard to keep consistent and not cause blowouts, and with nothing else to support them, even within the healing stage they can lose their integrity forming breaks or gaps sometimes referred to as “fall out”. Since the scale is so small and minimal, the fading observed can be immediate and the flaws amplified.
All this doesn’t mean that other tattoos don’t experience similar effects, but they can be less obvious and take up to 10-15 years to become as noticeable. That being said, even a perfectly done fine line tattoo may not be perfect for you.
There are solutions to some of these potential risks. Troubleshooting these problems may not always be 100% guaranteed but at least finding an artist who is willing to take your tattoo seriously, guide you with honesty, and has a generous touch up policy will help.
MY approach to fine line tattoos…
I typically start by only printing out sizes that I think will be feasible. Since I understand some clients care more about what the tattoo represents and may have a desired size, I will tattoo ANY size upon request AFTER you’ve seen examples of fine line aging and are making an informed decision for your tattoo. I can never guarantee exactly how a tattoo will heal and some placements will also play a factor in that (hands, fingers, feet, lips). Currently, I offer one free touch up for all my tattoos unless they are being put in areas I would consider to be poor placement or a size I believe will not heal well at all. I will state this if it’s the case and tell you your tattoo doesn’t qualify for a free touch up. I prefer to go into fine line or simple tattoos lightly because I believe a gap can be filled in, but not much can fix a blowout or ink travel. Typically touching up a tattoo can solve any fuzzy, less defined edges or missing gaps. Since every artist has different polices on touch ups this could be additional costs for the client over time.
For clients with less skin elasticity, fine line tattoos can be a bit more tricky. Bruising, bleeding and ink travel can happen easier where skin is thin and less elastic. Because of this, the “crispness” of the tattoo can be compromised resulting in a less clear image. Healing tattoos in general for fragile skin can be slower and pose more potential risks.
How to take care of a fine line tattoo…
If you’ve taken all the above into account and are still interested in a fine line or micro tattoo then you probably want to know what you can do to protect your tattoo. Following the given aftercare is usually best and can be simplified to three basics…
Keep the area clean, but dont over wash. If you are using second skin you can typically disregard cleaning because your tattoo will not be accessible. If you are using standard aftercare it’s usually okay to wash 3 times at most very gently with antibacterial soap for the first day. You will notice the tattoo seems to heal pretty fast but still avoid submerging in ANY water, scrubbing, sun, and harsh chemicals for 3-7 days. Most tattoos average 2-4 weeks for full healing. The days following are fine to wash once daily as you shower. For fine line tattoos they can sometimes heal as fast as a paper cut or a cat scratch.
Keep them moisturized. Aquaphor can be a great product for the first few days, lubriderm or any fragrance free lotion can also do the job and can sometimes be more comfortable after the initial first 2-3 days. After wash, it is good to apply a layer and prevent the tattoo from drying out completely. When a tattoo gets dry, the outer layer has a tendency to get “scabby” and flake. This is natural, but if you scratch, pick or remove this flaking it can create scars or pull part sof the healing layer with it.
Avoid sun and abrasion.
When your tattoo is healed 2-4 weeks out, schedule a touch up for any trouble spots sooner than later and repeat the healing process!
