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Tattoos should be permanent, although this does not render tattoos insensitive to the times. The ink, just like a favourite old t-shirt, is exposed to a lot with you, exposure to the sun, shedding of the skin, and overall aging. You may turn one day around and get to the mirror and find that your shiny, bright original lost its radiance.

But must it be completely revamped, or can it be a little loveliness?

Hundreds of customers desire to get a new meaning out of old ink. Our artists are also specialists in determining whether a tattoo requires a mere touch-up or a more comprehensive redo. We are cognizant of the emotional worth of your ink, and we handle every refresh just like a new in-house article.

And this is where you can find all the information about when you should reserve that refresh appointment.

What are the clear visual signs that I need a touch-up?

When one looks at the tattoo daily, changes become noticeable. But there exist 3 different indicators, which show that the refresh is overdue:

• Fading and Dullness: The most prevalent symptom is this. When your lines, which were jet-black yesterday, are charcoal grey at this moment, when your bright reds and yellows have been dulled to pastels, the pigment density has decreased. Tattoo touch-up can help with fading.
• Holidays (Gaps in Ink): Sometimes, scabs that were formed during the healing process of a new tattoo may come off too soon, causing a loss of ink. This leaves small areas of skin exposed to solid colour. Although this can be corrected right after healing, it is also the reason why an older tattoo should be reconsidered.
• Blurring (The “Soft Focus” Effect): In the long term, the particles of ink diffuse somewhat within the dermis. Important details, such as lettering or delicate lines, have become smudgy or blurred. A touch-up can occasionally be enough to redefine the fringe (but in extreme situations, a rework may be required).

How long should I wait before getting a touch-up?

Two distinct timelines here are the refresh of the Old Tattoo and the redoing of the New Tattoo.

• In New Tattoos: It is required to wait until the tattoo has 100 percent of its healing; this process takes 4-6 weeks. Early exfoliation, before the skin becomes flattened or, more precisely, regenerating (the suffers silver skin stage), may result in scarring and additional ink loss.
• In the case of Old Tattoos: There is no real guideline, though the majority of the tattoos will retain their colors for 10 years or more when they are taken care of. Unexplainable fading so fast within less than 5 years can be attributed to exposure to the sun or the quality of the original application.

Can I get a touch-up from a different artist than the original one?

This is a very frequent query, and it is mostly asked by travelers who have visited Phuket or any other city in Thailand. Yes, yes, but with etiquette.

• The Original Artist: Preferably, you revert to the original artist, definitely where the tattoo is not more than one year old. They usually have complimentary touch-ups on their work.
• A New Artist: In case you have changed cities, or the original artist is not available, or whatever, you are just not satisfied with the first-time experience, you can definitely visit Siam Ink Tattoo. But tell the truth to your new artist. We are not afraid of refreshing already existing work, but we will first always evaluate it so we are able to match its style and technique.

Is a touch-up different from a cover-up?

Yes, and the ability to discern the difference is essential in the process of expectation setting.

Touch-Up: This is a process of working on the line and colour in place again to make them bold. The design remains unchanged. This is effective in situations where the structure that was initially on the tattoo is still fine, only worn out.

Rework/Cover-Up: When the lines have gone too big, then it is just a case of covering them with more ink, making the tattoo look untidy. Here we may have to do with either a rework, so as to introduce new features, shadows, or textures to cover the blurriness, or even only a complete cover-up to conceal the old design altogether.

Does a touch-up hurt more than the original tattoo?

The pain is subjective, though, as a rule, a touch-up may be a bit sharper than the very first session.

The reason here is that the artist is most likely infiltrating scar tissue (though it may not be visible) since the initial time tattooed. Scar tissue does not receive ink with the same ability as virgin skin, so a higher accuracy or partially slower speed may be necessary for the artist.

But the positive side is that the touch-up sessions take a relatively shorter time compared to the first appointment, hence the pain period is minimal.

Will a touch-up heal faster?

Usually, yes. The artist does not need to tattoo the whole area, just the parts that have worn off or become separated, which means that the actual trauma to the skin is less.

Reduced Swellings: You may not get the same swellings as a whole and fresh piece.

Standard Aftercare is Applied: Although it is just a touch-up, it is still an open wound. You will need to abide by the normal Siam Ink Tattoo ink aftercare regime: clean, moisturise, and keep the sun off. A touch-up can either be cured casually, which is a source of infection, or patchy healing, which puts you in the same way you were.

At Siam Ink Tattoo, we pride ourselves on respectful, honest advice. We won’t just take your money; we’ll tell you if a touch-up will work or if a new approach is needed.

FAQs

Do touch-ups cost the same as a new tattoo?

Touch-ups are usually complimentary (even a modest supply fee) in case you go back to your original artist a few months after the first appointment. Nevertheless, when you are restoring a year-old tattoo, or you are visiting a new artist, you will be billed a standard hourly fee of the artist or the shop floor.

Can I change the colour during a touch-up?

It is generally possible to darken a colour, yet not lighten it. You may make, for instance, a basket-yellow rose a deep crimson red. It is impossible to turn a black tribal tattoo yellow.

Why does my white ink tattoo need touching up so often?

The most difficult pigment that a person can have is white. Since your natural skin color is superimposed on the ink after healing, the white ink may tend to turn yellow or beige with time (which becomes a colored window).