How Long Till A Red Ink Tattoo Fades

Monochrome design consisting of just one color can seem simple but there are many tattoo designs that will say otherwise! Probably the most popular design types are black-work tattoos with the use of only black for the whole tattoo. However, red ink has seen a rise in popularity and I personally think that it is a brilliant color to counteract the overuse of black in the industry. But with red tattoo ink, I always have this one question that nags me at the back of my head: how long till a red ink tattoo fades?

To be honest, red ink tattoos tend to be one of the fastest ones to fade! They tend to fade considerably within the first two years because of the ingredients that are used in the ink. That does not mean red ink tattoos will only last one year because there are various factors that will influence how long it will be till it fades. But there is one thing that all tattoo artists know about red tattoo ink: it is dangerous! So let’s take a deep dive into all things red ink tattoo and figure out how long it lasts and how dangerous it actually is!

Key Takeaways

Red ink tattoo will likely fade within the first two years of having it. However, the factors that make it fade quicker will be based on how it was taken care of.
There are many metal compounds that are combined to get the red pigments in red tattoo ink which can make it more dangerous than other ink.
Certain controversies about red tattoo has been around for a really long time due to the use of mercury compounds used in old red tattoo ink.
Even with more dramatic side effects, there are ways that you can make sure to deal with them in an effective way.
Red tattoos are worth it, but it will depend on your skin tone and an experienced tattoo artist. Talk to them to make sure you are getting the best red tattoo.
Some design ideas that you can consider when getting a red tattoo such as a snake or dragon tattoo on your arm.

Red Ink Tattoo: How Fade Resistant Is It?

Unlike black tattoo ink used in blackwork designs, red is comparatively a lighter color. Remember this point since this will keep coming up about red tattoo ink and how well it holds up to fading. I mention black tattoo ink because it is considered to be one of, if not the best, tattoo ink in terms of resistant it is to fading. So when comparing, I always think about how another colored tattoo ink will compare to black ink.

Red ink vs black ink: fade resistance comparison

Unlike red ink, black tattoo ink is made from carbon which is more resistant to change and stays on your skin for a lot longer. This makes black so good at resisting fading over time. To give it a timeline would be disingenuous but if I were to, then I would say that you need to wait about 3 to 5 years before you need a touch-up on your black tattoo.

Unlike black tattoo ink, red tattoo pales in comparison when it comes to how easily it will fade away. I have had some clients come back as soon as 4 to 6 months before needing a touch-up while others took about 12 months before needing a touch-up. This is mostly because lighter tattoo ink fades faster.

Main reason why lighter tattoo ink fades faster

The major reason that this is the case for lighter ink is that they are made of ingredients that aren’t really pigmented. If you think of black tattoo ink, the carbon in it means that it combines with the skin and it stays for a longer time. The metal compounds in red tattoo ink just can’t compare to it! The worst ones are yellow and white since they have little to no pigments in them at all but red is not far behind in that regard either.

This is why most tattoo artists don’t like doing a full tattoo with light colors since it won’t last long on the skin. It’s a shame because a broader color palette adds more character to the design but sadly lighter colors are betrayed by their ingredients which mainly consist of metal compounds.

Ingredients in Red Tattoo Ink: What Gives The Red Color

Tattoo colors get their colors from metal compounds that produce a distinct color. So if you ever thought that it was just color dyes in tattoo ink, that is not the case at all! Dyes wouldn’t be permanent on your skin so instead metal compounds like iron oxides are used. There are a wide variety of colors that are available from these compounds which can combine to give different shades of color.

Just like that, red tattoo ink is the same where they have a whole host of different metal compounds and organic liquid carriers that make it up. Probably the metal that is present in red is cadmium red. Then there is nickel, iron oxides, solvent red 1, and naphthol-AS pigment, among other ingredients that make up the red color. Along with these, red tattoo ink is made into a liquid with the help of glycerin or alcohol.

Not just that, but to get certain unique colors, other compounds have also been added to red tattoo ink to give it a brighter or darker shade while still remaining a distinct red. And I haven’t even mentioned how we tattoo artists mix different inks together to get that right shade so that it matches the aesthetics of the tattoo we are going for! So even if certain ingredients are able to give the red color, red tattoo ink is made with many different ingredients to give it its form.

Red Tattoo Ink Red Flags: The Controversy with Red Ink

As you can imagine, making red can be difficult because it is a hard color to get right. It is harder still to get that right shade of red as well because you will need many different ingredients to get it right. There are some red ink that have chromium and aluminum in them which are not even red! So red ink has gone through a lot of experimentation, and some of them have definitely raised a red flag that is hard to ignore.

Probably the most controversial ingredient that was present in red tattoo ink in the past was cinnabar, a mercury compound that is known to be poisonous to human skin! Cinnabar and any mercury compounds have been banned from being used in tattoos and in skincare products. But sadly, the controversy does not end there either. Red ink gets a worse rep because tests have been done for certain red ink that showed positive results for things like anti-freeze and formaldehyde.

Then there is azo-dye tattoo ink which was banned in the UK and is known to cause cancer as well! All these bad or harmful ingredients are what make red tattoo ink have a big red flag that it carries. This is also the reason why most tattoo artists would outright refuse a full red tattoo design because of the potential risks that it carries for their client’s skin. A bit of red is fine but a full red tattoo ink might not be the best-case scenario.

Dealing with Side Effects of Red Ink Tattoo: 5 Effective Tips

Even though red ink is quite dangerous and carcinogenic ink, you will still see people having tattoos with red in them! If it is not a full red tattoo, red tattoo ink is pretty safe for shading and lining. But if you were to get a full red tattoo design, then you would have to deal with some unfortunate side effects. They are mostly in the form of allergic reactions and a lot of itching.

But that is why I am here to at least ease the burden somewhat with these helpful and effective tips to deal with your red ink tattoo!

Allergy test: it is always a good idea to make sure you are not allergic to the ingredients in the red tattoo ink so an allergy test can dispel all your worries and affirm your decision of getting a large red ink tattoo.
Vet the tattoo artist and studio: do extensive research about your artist and the tattoo studio you are getting at. Check out their portfolio to see how is their experience with red ink tattoos as well. Gun for high-quality studios with professional tattoo artists with vast amounts of experience.
Avoid wearing wool: red ink can cause a lot of irritation on your skin so let’s not make it worse by wearing scratchy clothes like wool. This can reduce the irritation that you will face with any color tattoo.
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize: make sure to moisturize your tattoo regularly so that you prevent flaking skin and general irritation. Along with that, make sure to follow the aftercare instructions that your tattoo artist has given you so that your tattoo itches and hurts less.
Consider multicolored tattoos: unlike red ink, other colors are considerably safer because they contain less irritating and harmful ingredients. So if you can, see if a multicolored tattoo is an option for you.

Red Ink Tattoos: Worth or Not?

I would consider any tattoo to be worth it if you and your tattoo artist agree on the colors, design, style, and everything about it before it is put into your skin. Red tattoos just need an extra layer of caution attached to them because of their storied past and the questionable ingredients when in high quantity on your skin.

Getting the right tattoo artist

This is why it is very important that you get a red ink tattoo from experienced tattoo artists so that you get the best red tattoo possible! Artists who have worked with red tattoo ink know and understand the limitations of red ink because of its faster fading time and work around them. Even if it is dangerous, a good tattoo artist will be able to make your tattoo look the best it possibly can.

Dark skin tone consideration

Another thing that you need to consider for a red ink tattoo is the skin type. Black tattoo ink is one of the best examples of this. It is the most widely used tattoo ink but it has its limitation. On darker skin, a black tattoo might not be able to stand out as much as on fairer skin tones. Red tattoo ink also has a similar problem, where darker shades of red will not stand out or look blurry against the skin tone. That is why a full red tattoo would shine more on fairer skin but using some red shading on a multicolored tattoo can make it stand out in a different way altogether!

Ultimately, the worth of a red ink tattoo will come down to your discretion. If you want it, then by all means you can go and get it! Your tattoo artist can give some advice and pointers about it so that it will look good on your skin. So make sure to do a tattoo consultation about red ink tattoos so you have a better idea of how it might look and the limitation involved with such a tattoo.

Red Tattoo Design Ideas

You might have made a decision on getting a red tattoo on your skin, but what about the design? There are many types of designs that you can go for but out of that, only some will look good in the red ink.

So here are some tattoo design ideas that you can think about as you can make a decision on getting one:

Dragons: dragons in Japanese and Chinese tattoo styles might be a really cool idea that you can think of on your arms or as a spine tattoo.
Butterflies: a small red butterfly tattoo will look really good on the wrists or as a hip tattoo.
Snakes: much like a dragon tattoo, a snake tattoo might also look really good, especially on the forearm.
Red roses: roses are forever and getting a red rose tattoo on your biceps might be just the design idea that you are looking for.
Heart: a heart tattoo in red ink will look aesthetically pleasing on your chest.

And there are many more designs that you can go for! If I were to do a red tattoo, I would say these design ideas would make the most sense.

FAQs

Can I get a red tattoo on a darker skin tone?

You absolutely can! A red tattoo on a darker skin tone will look great but it will require a good tattoo artist to make sure the right shade of red is being used for the tattoo.

Are red tattoos more expensive?

The price of tattoos will be more than just the individual inks used. However, colored ink will cost more than black or grey tattoo ink in general. There is also the design and size of the tattoo that needs to be considered. But overall, a red tattoo will be cheaper than the same tattoo in multicolored ink.

What are the side effects of red tattoos?

While all tattoos have the same side effects, red tattoos can itch more than usual. Other side effects include redness, swelling, and in worse cases, you might get an allergic reaction from the ink.

Final Thoughts

Red tattoos will look great and they will stand out due to being such an eye-catchy color. However, red tattoo ink needs special consideration because of the dangers the ink possesses. Red tattoo ink also fades faster than most colored inks so you need to take that into account when getting a red tattoo. The last thing you want to happen is to have a discolored red tattoo in a couple of years’ time and need constant retouches. That is why make sure that you get a red tattoo from an artist that is experienced with the ink so that you get the best tattoo possible. Talk to them to clear up any and all misconceptions and get that red tattoo that you are looking forward to.

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How Long Till A Red Ink Tattoo Fades | In-Depth Explanation