Why Does the Sun Damage Tattoos?

A Tattoo does not naturally loose and change it's colour, vividness and sharpness. All this happens because of the exposure to the sun! Sun exposure equals sun damage, whether you realize it or not. To get it straight:

Langerhans cells, a type of dendritic cell, are present throughout the epidermis, but mostly located in the stratum spinosum. During sun exposure, many Langerhans cells will undergo apoptosis (a type of cell death where the cell breaks apart into many small fragments) while others migrate into the dermis and a minor inflammatory reaction occurs. The inflammatory reaction is not restricted to the epidermis, but also involves the dermis. Such a reaction causes the recruitment of more phagocytic immune cells to the area.

With the presence of larger than normal amounts of migrating phagocytic cells, the chances of ink movement increases, thus accelerating the fading of the tattoo.

The Whole Process in Detail

During the tattooing process the skin secretes fluid forming droplets on the surface. If the blood particles in the fluid dry on the surface they stick on the surface looking like little black specs. If allowed to remain they adhere strongly and other damaged cells and particles accumulate, they dry and begin scab formation. Scabbing prolongs the healing process because  epithelial cells must grow beneath this heavy burden scab to seal the skin.  Eventually though the skin will heal in spite of the obstacles created.

Presuming minimal physical damage to the skin, the speed of healing is related to the amount of moisture in the area. The top rated healing ointments are Bepanthen, Panthenol and Petroleumjelly. It is the petroleum in these products that produces the best healing speed because it makes the skin occlusive. Occlusive means neither water nor air can penetrate to the skin surface. The skin responds to an occlusive condition by providing moisture to the area internally providing the ultimate healing condition.  

When a tattoo is just finished there is generally no oozing (exudates) and the surface is relatively dry (an indication that the procedure did not excessively damage the skin). When a petroleum product is applied (an occlusive condition is created) droplets of fluid will begin to appear because the body is producing exudates. Exudates is necessary to create an environment which stimulates rapid wound healing.  By allowing the area to dry (which we should not), the beneficial cells are removed,  cells dry, necrose and even serve as a bacteria medium.  A wound maintained in a moist environment with exudates has a lower infection rate than a wound which is dry. 

Because this mechanism of the body was not understood it was thought petroleum caused ink to leave the skin. Today we know this is not true. Three or four days is required for new epidermal cells to grow across the surface. Damaged cells will float on the top of the new cells until removed. Light amounts of petroleum or moisturizing lotions should be continued for another week.  The constant application of antibacterial is not necessary to avoid infection. Antibacterial products actually interfere with the wound healing process.

An ideal procedure, immediately after the tattoo is finished, would include applying a petroleum based ointment and watching the area for oozing and droplet formation instead of bandaging and sending the client away.  If the droplets that ooze to the surface are pink they should be dabbed off carefully, or the area lightly rubbed periodically to prevent platelet and dead cell buildup. Removing those little black specs as soon as they appear will speed subsequent healing. This should be repeated until no pink oozing is seen and the area is clear colored. Now the client has a good chance for fast healing. After this, the ointment should be applied heavily enough to look shiny. Too thin and the surface will dry and prolong healing.  Ointment applying and plastic wrapping for the shower or sleeping for a few days will help protect the tattoo under adverse conditions.

Bandaging is necessary if the area may be irritated or exposed to foreign matter.

Washing interferes and prolongs healing but should be done if dead cells have accumulated on the surface. Allowing the tattoo to accumulate dead cells and other necrotic matter for 8 or 24 hours is counter-productive to healing speed and will then require washing to remove as much of the dead material as possible.  Good tattoo technique will produce preliminary healing in 3-4 days and should not be attributed to any new miracle healing preparation we have discovered or been sold, but to the healing abilities of the skin, the good tattoo technique of minimal damage and good aftercare with a petroleum product.

Reactions to antibacterial ointments look like small pimples around the area of application in which case the ointment should be discontinued and a moisturizer applied until healed. There are many different procedures followed for tattoo healing that have been used for years by different artists.  Any one could be argued for based on individual testimony and experience:  "their customers healed."  The reason for the healing is often attributed to the wrong cause because there is no understanding of the healing process of the skin and what produces more ideal conditions for repair.   The explanation above does not rule out any other favored procedure. 

 It should be kept in mind that it is the skin itself that does the work of repair, not us, and will repair itself, sooner or later, not because we are doing or using x, y or z, but in spite of the challenges we present to the skin.  Thank Goodness for that.