Watercolor Tattoo: 100 Images of Amazing Paint Splatters!

Watercolor tattoo has caught the attention of the tattoo enthusiasts. Everyone became curious and interested in the watercolor tattoo. Alongside with that, a couple of frequently asked questions (FAQs) surfaced. You should learn more about watercolor tattoos before getting one. Thus, we have prepared this article to suffice an answer to your questions. We hope that this article will enlighten you about watercolors and how it is done.

What are watercolor tattoos?

It is a misconception that watercolor tattoos are different from the regular tattoos. No, there may be a slight difference in the style, but the setup is just the same with the regular tattoos. These watercolor tattoos are inked the same way as the regular ones. However, unlike the regular tattoos, the watercolor tattoo is not used with solid colors but with gradual colors.

To make the tattoo artists resemble the characteristics of a watercolor painting, the colors are mixed to create a subtle gradient. Watercolor tattoos do not have borders or outlines than the regular tattoos to generate a resemblance of the mixed colors for the design.

The popular theme of watercolor tattoos varies from full-blown duplicates of paintings to paint splatters only. There are techniques used to achieve a watercolor tattoo:

• Bleeds
• Blurs
• Fades
• Runs
• Shades

 

Do watercolor tattoos fade faster than the regular tattoos?

Arguments from the tattoo experts say that these tattoos will fade because of the colors tattoo artists used. A watercolor tattoo is used with soft colors than the regular tattoo. Soft colors cannot produce the desired amount of contrast. Thus, lighter colors tend to fade faster than the darker colors.

Tattoo artists who are an expert with watercolor tattoo reduce the possibility of the tattoos to fade by applying a base layer of black colors. he black colors result in a deeper contrast. This technique used by the professional tattoo artists allows the soft colors of the tattoo to hold onto the black base.

The black base of the watercolor tattoos makes the faded watercolor tattoo-less blurry and easier to retouch with its vibrant colors.

How old will the watercolor tattoo last?

The watercolor style is still new to the tattoo industry. There is still no evidence whether this will age more years in time. Some tattoo artists claimed to have customers who still have their watercolor tattoos vibrant and colorful. However, if your tattoo artists is an experienced professional and you took care of it, your tattoo will not quickly fade for the first several years. It will only fade in a gradual process.

What to do to prevent your watercolor tattoo from quickly fading?

Just like regular tattoos, aftercare ensures your tattoo to remain vibrant and perfect for the lifetime of the tattoo. However, you have to attend more of your watercolor tattoo because it is more delicate than the regular tattoo.

Follow the instructions below to ensure a colorful and vibrant watercolor tattoo for decades:

Choose the right tattoo artist for your watercolor tattoos.

Do not just choose a cheap tattoo artist. Each tattoo artist has different style expertise. An expert and professional tattoo artist know the appropriate technique to produce a beautiful watercolor tattoo. The tendency if you choose a cheap and less experience tattoo artist, it will result in a quicky fading tattoos.

Do not expose your watercolor tattoos to sunlight.

Whether it is a regular tattoo or a watercolor tattoo, do not expose it to sunlight. A constant exposure of the tattoo from the sunlight will cause it to fade quickly regardless of the style and color of the tattoo.

Remember, your watercolor tattoo is lighter than the regular tattoo. Thus, there is no doubt that you have to keep your watercolor tattoo out of the sunlight.

However, if you are planning to have a beach escapade this summer, use a sun block lotion with a high strength to block the dangerous UV rays.

Do not rub or keep your watercolor tattoos from rubbing.

When you are still planning to have a watercolor tattoo, think carefully about the location you will place the tattoo. There are areas of your body that are prone to rubs. Thus, place the tattoo where it will not rub with surfaces, such as the feet and buttocks. If your tattoo gets into contact with things or surfaces very often, it will quickly fade.

Maintain a healthy skin.

With a healthy skin, your tattoo will surely look good. Maintain a healthy and nutritious diet, a good quality of sleep, and hydrate adequately to provide your body a healthy glow. Your tattoo will look fresh and vibrant!

Moisturize your skin.

A good hydration of your skin will prevent the tattoo from sags, dry outs, and wrinkles. Moisturizer or a tattoo lotion has a high-quality, fragrance-free, and skin sensitive components. Moisturize the tattoo throughout the healing period of the tattoo. More on, do not stop moisturizing the tattoo, hydrate your skin throughout the lifetime of the tattoo.

Skin hydration makes your watercolor tattoo vibrant and beautiful looking!

However, there are some misfortunes when you have your tattoo. Know more about the causes and the treatment of these health problems.

What are the common allergies of tattoos?

The most frequent question in getting a tattoo is how painful the process is, however, you may have overlooked the possibility that there may be allergic reactions with the tattoo ink. These allergies of tattoo inks are rare. Therefore, you have to learn the signs and symptoms of ink allergies.

Do not disregard this possible health problem even if it is not your first tattoo. Tattoo inks are made with different components, there is a possibility that you will have an allergy to the next one.

Is tattoo ink allergies possible?

A tattoo ink allergy is characterized as a skin allergy on its site, this is because of the negative reaction of the body to the used tattoo ink of the artist.

Red and yellow tattoos are the ink colors that mostly cause the allergic reactions. However, do not disregard other ink colors because they also have components that can cause allergic reactions to the skin.

A red and itchy rash is the first manifestation of allergic reactions. The skin might also appear to be flaky and scaly. Other cases have small bumps on the tattoo site.

 

However, it is common to experience redness, irritation, and swelling right after the tattoo session because of the skin’s reaction to the impact of the tattoo gun. This type of inflammation is resolved for a few days.

What is the possible cause of tattoo allergies?

A special and high-quality tattoo inks are mostly used by professional and experienced tattoo artists. The tattoo inks used are permanent and has to maintain its vibrancy. The following components that can cause tattoo allergies are:

• Heavy Metals

The professional grade inks tattoo artists use are made of heavy metals, regardless whether these inks are mixed or pre-mixed. The heavy metals are held responsible for the redness, itchiness, and rashes of the dermis.

If you have experienced allergic reactions to some inks, there are other tattoo inks that work for you.

Different ink colors contain different metal components. Red inks use mercury, yellow inks have a lead, and black inks consist of iron oxides.

If you have adverse effects with these ink colors, it is better to choose a design without these colors.

• Amateur tattoo artists

Most amateur tattoo artists use non-professional grade equipment since these lower grade equipment does not contain the same heavy metals. However, it is less permanent. More so, it is has a high risk of infection and some health complications. It is better to have an expensive session than go cheap just to avoid allergic reactions.

Consult an experienced and professional artist and discuss with them what are the other alternatives compatible with your skin.

What are the possible signs and symptoms of ink allergy?

Do not wait for your tattoo to itch to look after, assess the situation and you will know whether you will have an ink allergy before having the tattoo session.

• Colorant allergies

There are other colorants in the market, if you have an allergy to any kind, then you are prone to ink allergy. An allergic reaction from food dyes and printer inks give you a hint that you will have an allergy with tattoo inks also.

• Undergo a patch test

Tattoo allergies happen when the ink goes through the dermis and epidermis. The patch test is a procedure wherein your professional tattoo artist will apply a tattoo ink on a patch of your skin. After a day, if there is no redness or swelling around the patch it means the ink is safe to use.

If the patch test is positive, use an alternative tattoo ink. Perform another patch test using the alternative ink to be safe.

• Microtattoo test

The patch test is an effective method. However, there is no better than trying the tattoo ink. If your tattoo artist is kind enough, ask him or her to make a single and small dot on the area that you plan to have the tattoo.

A micro tattoo determines your reaction to the tattoo ink if allergic reactions persist it is easier to apply treatment.

• Delayed symptoms

Some of those who have allergies with tattoo inks have it after the session, but there are some who only experience rashes after a week or month after the tattoo session.

If you have delayed symptoms, the patch test and micro tattoo test cannot guarantee you.

Are there any treatments for the ink allergy?

Remember, the tattoo is permanent, you cannot take it off when you are having an allergy. When you notice that your skin is swelling, itching, or having redness, what are the treatments available?

• Over-the-counter (OTC) solutions

Some of the product solutions are available, that you can purchase over-the-counter to alleviate the symptoms of the allergy.

An antibiotic ointment or a hydrocortisone cream is recommended to apply on the are that is most likely affected. The discomfort and pain felt with the allergic reaction will be alleviated by the products. Also, an itch-relieving cream or cold compress can help.

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. You may need serious treatment!

• Go to the dermatologist

A dermatologist has to make an assessment of the seriousness of your allergy. A medical treatment might be needed to the severity of your allergic reaction.

• Laser removal

The suffering from the itch swells, and redness is unbearable at times. If the over-the-counter (OTC) products and medical interventions of the dermatologist is ineffective, you may have to get your tattoo removed.

The cheapest and accessible method to remove the tattoo is with a tattoo removal cream. However, most cases cannot fade the tattoo. It cannot eliminate the particles that have the heavy metals which caused the allergic reaction.

Laser removal treatment is the most effective method to remove tattoos. A cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist can have the procedure done.

Get a watercolor tattoo!

Now, you know the basics of watercolor tattoos and the signs and symptoms of tattoo allergies. Do you think you should still get a watercolor tattoo, why or why not?

Watercolor tattoos can depict any symbol or image, it depends on the meaning of the tattoo. Most people have animals or insects on their watercolor tattoo. The integration of the watercolor style and symbols portray support and hope.

Splatters and swatches of watercolors is a common style for the tattoo. Each ink splatter conveys thoughts, opinions, and feelings of a person. Most tattoo artists rely on the color of the ink to convey these ideas.

Watercolor tattoos look better on a lighter skin, wherein the translucent nature of the ink becomes clear. Thus, choose an untanned area of your skin for the watercolor tattoo. More so, keep it covered because it fades quickly when it is exposed on daylight.

Amidst the critics and claims that it only lasts not more than five years in your body, have a watercolor tattoo to boast your strong yet colorful personality! Choose your design wisely to enjoy it for your lifetime.

Get a watercolor tattoo and stand out against the other tattoo styles!