Tattoos That Disappear The Fastest

Even though tattoos look like they’re permanent, in most cases, they’re not. In fact, the ink only lasts about two to five years when it’s placed on the skin, but the exact length of time depends on a few factors that we’ll discuss below. If you have any tattoos that have been inked onto your skin in the last few years, you might be worried about whether or not they’ll stick around forever—especially if you have one somewhere noticeable.

Navel

It’s no secret that tattoos on women’s bodies tend to fade faster than their male counterparts. Since we already know women’s skin is thinner and has less melanin, it follows that their tats wouldn’t last as long. However, for those who want to take care of their skin, there are a few things you can do to make your ink stand out. Here are some of our best tips

Feet

It turns out that tattoos on feet fade very quickly. While they look great in their early stages, be prepared for your foot tattoos to disappear in just a few years. Several factors contribute to tattoos on feet fading quickly: skin type, exposure to sunlight and water; you might also forget to apply lotion every day or two, which will cause your tattoo fade faster!

Ankle

Tattoos on an ankle tend to fade fairly quickly. These areas of skin are often exposed to sunlight often and rarely get a chance to heal fully before being exposed again, which can cause them to disappear more quickly than other locations. If you’re looking for a tattoo that will stay in place longer, consider getting one higher up on your body. (Read more)

Elbow

This part of your body is actually pretty good for a tattoo, since you have limited skin surface area to work with. But if you’re going to get a tattoo here, make sure it’s small—otherwise, it will be gone in no time. Elbow tattoos are likely to fade due to their location next to lots of bone and joints. Keep in mind that many people still do get full-body tattoos on their arms.

Lower arm

One of those body parts where tattoos tend to fade fastest is a forearm. When you look at a forearm, you’re seeing skin that’s fairly thick (compared to other areas on your body), it has an abundance of hair, and it gets some sun exposure. These conditions make a forearm one of those places where your tattoo will start to fade as soon as three months after getting inked.

Chest

Because chest skin is thicker than other areas, it tends to fade more slowly. This means that if you get a tattoo on your chest and decide later you don’t like it, it will likely still be there a while. Furthermore, if you have sensitive skin, tattoos on your chest may not even be an option.

Back of the neck

If you’re looking for a tattoo that will disappear quickly, consider getting it on your neck. This can be an attractive spot to get inked since people often see only what’s in front of them—meaning they might not notice a small tattoo there. Additionally, many people shave their heads in some fashion at some point during their lives. If yours is among them, a tattoo on your head (or even neck) could be completely gone by then.

Wrist (or hands if on your wrist)

Sure, you know that tattoos on your fingers and knuckles fade quickly—but it’s not only a matter of where you put it, but what color ink you use. Darker colors like black, blue and green last longer than lighter colors like red and yellow. If you can give your tattoo some white space (like an outline or negative space), it will stay darker for longer.

Forearm

For most people, their skin is thinnest on their forearms, making it an ideal place to get a temporary tattoo. But unlike some other spots on your body, your skin doesn’t slough off here when new cells are produced. Your skin naturally regenerates in about a month. As a result, your tattoo gradually fades away as well. In fact, sometimes it can take three or four months for tattoos to fully disappear in certain areas of your forearm.

Thighs/knees/ankles

Tattoos that are placed on thighs, knees and ankles usually wear off faster because of their exposure to water, dirt and sunlight. Keep your tattoos covered when washing hands or showering, and try to avoid activities like jogging, beach volleyball or surfing if you have a tattoo on these areas. Even though it might be hard to keep tattoos in certain spots out of direct sunlight, remember that wearing sunscreen can help protect them from fading.