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alex caldeira
How is the healing?
You can check some of my healed tattoos here and on my Instagram highlight. My Instagram page is updated constantly
All tattoos will, of course, eventually fade and blur over time. That's the thing about ink on skin, it fades and ages with your body, and your tattoo won't stay as perfect looking as it did on the day that you first got it done, this is due to how our body precepts and reacts to the ink in the bloodstream, it’ll always be a foreign object that your body will fight.
Fine line tattoos tends to heal more to a gray look rather than rich black. The ink isn't as densely packed under the skin as with other bolder tattoos so the result is a softer and more blended look. It’s extremely normal and expected to notice some differences on the line consistency comparing to the fresh work.
After healed, the tattoo will settle just below your first layer of skin, that’s why they don’t look as bright and crisp as the fresh work.
Micro tattoos tends to show more difference on the lines as the area is sometimes too small to absorb the ink consistently, bear this in mind when asking for them, if you don’t want to see inconsistency, go for a bigger size.
It helps a lot if you exfoliate and moisturise the area before our appointment, this helps the application and the overall healing.
Fine line tattoos tends to heal more to a gray look rather than rich black. The ink isn't as densely packed under the skin as with other bolder tattoos so the result is a softer and more blended look. It’s extremely normal and expected to notice some differences on the line consistency comparing to the fresh work.
After healed, the tattoo will settle just below your first layer of skin, that’s why they don’t look as bright and crisp as the fresh work.
Micro tattoos tends to show more difference on the lines as the area is sometimes too small to absorb the ink consistently, bear this in mind when asking for them, if you don’t want to see inconsistency, go for a bigger size.
It helps a lot if you exfoliate and moisturise the area before our appointment, this helps the application and the overall healing.
Important Reminder: Tattoos are a handmade process, and minor imperfections are normal. While Im always willing to provide a touch-up when necessary, it's important to understand that this doesn't mean the tattoo has "failed." Some healing issues may arise that are beyond the artist's control.
Tattooing Melanin-Rich Skin
Size and contrast are key
Tattooing skin with more melanin requires thoughtful design choices to ensure the tattoo looks vibrant and clear over time. Here are some techniques I use to enhance visibility and longevity:
Bigger Needle Size:
Fine line tattoos generally heal to a softer, gray tone, regardless of skin tone. To maintain a bolder, more visible design, especially on melanin-rich skin, we often use slightly larger needles to enhance contrast and ensure clarity after healing.
Increased Contrast:
We work the grayscale ink, using a range of 20% to 100% black ink + dilution fluid. When working on melanin-rich skin, we may use fewer shades to create a stronger contrast, making the design stand out more clearly.
Larger Design:
After healing, tattoos on darker skin tones can appear more subtle or translucent. To combat this, larger designs tend to work better, ensuring the artwork remains sharp and visible.
Simplified Details:
While intricate details may spread slightly more during the healing process, Indian skin, for example, often holds tiny details well. In general, larger and bolder elements are better suited to maintaining clarity on darker tones.
Placement:
Areas like the ribs, inner arms, or legs—where the skin is often less exposed to the sun—are great for smaller designs. In contrast, larger designs typically look better on areas with higher melanin.
Style Choices:
Illustrative and line work styles tend to look crisp and clear on melanin-rich skin. However, styles like micro realism and single-needle work are generally less suited due to the fine details involved. To ensure the tattoo holds up well over time, we adapt our techniques, making adjustments so the design still achieves the look of single-needle or micro realism while remaining sharp and visible.
Bigger Needle Size:
Fine line tattoos generally heal to a softer, gray tone, regardless of skin tone. To maintain a bolder, more visible design, especially on melanin-rich skin, we often use slightly larger needles to enhance contrast and ensure clarity after healing.
Increased Contrast:
We work the grayscale ink, using a range of 20% to 100% black ink + dilution fluid. When working on melanin-rich skin, we may use fewer shades to create a stronger contrast, making the design stand out more clearly.
Larger Design:
After healing, tattoos on darker skin tones can appear more subtle or translucent. To combat this, larger designs tend to work better, ensuring the artwork remains sharp and visible.
Simplified Details:
While intricate details may spread slightly more during the healing process, Indian skin, for example, often holds tiny details well. In general, larger and bolder elements are better suited to maintaining clarity on darker tones.
Placement:
Areas like the ribs, inner arms, or legs—where the skin is often less exposed to the sun—are great for smaller designs. In contrast, larger designs typically look better on areas with higher melanin.
Style Choices:
Illustrative and line work styles tend to look crisp and clear on melanin-rich skin. However, styles like micro realism and single-needle work are generally less suited due to the fine details involved. To ensure the tattoo holds up well over time, we adapt our techniques, making adjustments so the design still achieves the look of single-needle or micro realism while remaining sharp and visible.
