Sometimes a tattoo can get fuzzy around the edges, and the lines of the original tattoo blur. This is known as tattoo blowout.
How does this happen? Can it be fixed?
Whether you are a seasoned tattoo collector, a first time tattoo getter, or just curious about what this is all about – this comprehensive guide will help you understand what tattoo blowout is, and how laser tattoo removal can help.
What is Tattoo Blowout?
Blowouts in tattoos happen when tattoo ink drifts outside of the intended tattoo design resulting in blurred lines or unintentional shading.
When you get a tattoo, your tattoo artist injects the ink below the first layer of your skin (the dermis) into the epidermis. If the ink gets pushed past the epidermis and into the hypodermis (where fat and veins live) – blow out is more likely to occur.
What Causes a Blown-Out Tattoo?
Several factors can influence the likelihood of a tattoo to blowout, including the size of the tattoo, the location on the body, the method used by or skill of your tattoo artist, the individuality of our bodies, the tattoo style, and following proper aftercare during the healing process.
Size Matters
Smaller tattoos are more susceptible to blowout. The intricate lines and small details are more likely to migrate away from its original location over time.
Location on Body
Certain areas of the body are more prone to blowouts than others. Locations with thinner skin, such as the arm ditch, inner arm, inner thigh, wrists, or fingers are particularly vulnerable. Thinner skin means thinner layers of dermis, epidermis, and hypodermis – increasing the likelihood of unintentionally depositing the ink deeper than the epidermis.
Tattoo Artist Experience
Inexperienced tattoo artists are more likely to push the ink too deep into the skin, reaching the hypodermis. Other factors such as the artist’s hand speed vs tattoo machine speed, or holding the needle at the wrong angle also contribute to the risk.
Choosing an experienced tattoo artist can greatly reduce the likelihood of blowout, but does not eliminate the possibility that it may happen.
Body Matters
Every body is different, and some bodies are simply more prone to blow out than others. Some factors include the elasticity of your skin (inelastic skin being more prone) or recent weight gain or loss.
Sudden movements during the tattooing process can inadvertently cause the artist to push the ink too deeply.
Tattoo Style
Bold tattoo styles – like American Traditional, Tribal, and Japanese – are less likely to show signs of blowout, while fine line or watercolour style tattoos tend to blow out over time.
Proper Aftercare
Taking care of your tattoo during the healing process is a crucial step in the longevity of your new tattoo, and may help reduce the likelihood of blowouts.
How to Clean Up a Blowout Tattoo
The good news is that tattoo blowouts are correctable! There are two main ways to correct tattoo blowouts: cover it up with thicker lines or a completely new tattoo, or laser tattoo removal.
Get a Cover Up Tattoo
Ask your original tattoo artist (or find another one that loves to do cover ups) to thicken the outer lines of the tattoo to cover up the blowout, or design a completely new tattoo to cover it up (we can help with this, too!).
Laser Tattoo Removal
Our PicoWay laser helps us to target ink pigment in the skin, breaking them into smaller particles using of photoacoustic energy your body can then flush out through its immune system over a series of months.
We can be so precise with the laser that we can target only the blowout area, leaving the rest of your tattoo untouched. This effectively returns your tattoo to its original, crisply lined design, without compromising the integrity of the original tattoo.
Wrapping Up
Tattoo blowouts can be frustrating, but they don’t have to be permanent. You can work with a tattoo artist to get a cover up tattoo or target the blowout with laser tattoo removal to return your tattoo to its original glory.
To learn more about laser tattoo removal, explore some of these links on our website.
- How Laser Tattoo Removal Works
- What to Expect
- Our Services
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Cover Up Tattoos
Why Choose Legacy Tattoo Removal?
Experienced Laser Technicians
Co-owner Madi Rawson has been at the forefront of tattoo removal since 2016. Madi trained under Edmonton tattoo removal legend Ben Alway, and Lorenzo Kunze Jr of the International Laser Academy.
Continuing Education
Exploring the science behind the laser tattoo removal process is the backbone of Legacy Tattoo Removal. We aim to lift the industry as a whole to a higher standard of treatment.
Part of the Tattoo Community
We work with Edmonton tattoo artists to fade your tattoo enough for a cover up in as few treatments as possible.