There’s just something about old flames. There’s no getting rid of them, especially if you have them tattooed. The good news is you can fall in love with an old tattoo and bring to life the thrill of the original ink job.
Old artwork can really look bad, especially if it wasn’t up to par, to begin with. Rather than live with old tattoos that bear insignificant meaning, why not consider a tattoo redesign?
Redesigning a tattoo is not an easy feat. A talented artist is the most important aspect of this challenge because incorporating an old design into a new one can look terrible if it’s not done right. This is why original tattoo placement and art selection, as well as artist skill level, are the most important aspects to consider prior to getting inked the first time around.
Live and learn.
Should you be stuck with the initials of an old flame or perhaps a fictional character depicted in a lifeless form of flash art that you haphazardly chose without much consideration, you should consider redesigning your tattoo with a trusted artist.
Covering up or changing your old tattoo is worth consideration if you’re unhappy, so don’t hesitate to consider the process. Just take your time this time around and choose the artist and the design carefully. Make sure you do a proper shop inspection and check out finished work portfolios. Don’t be hasty.
You can indeed breathe new life into an old tattoo by retouching its color. Maybe you didn’t practice proper aftercare of exposing yourself to the sun without protection, either way, you can refresh your color and add vibrance to your old artwork, and it’s not that expensive to do. Go into the chair with the attitude that you made a choice to get the tattoo, and now you need to maintain it. Even if you drew the line at your own personal tattoo mark, you could get back into the studio to keep it looking fresh for a lifetime.
Redesigning and refreshing your ink job are two ways you can restore old tattoos. You don’t always need something new. Just fall back in love with what’s in front of you; it will be there for a lifetime.
Update an Old Tattoo
Is your tattoo looking a little shabby? Check out the top three ways you can update an old tattoo.
Perhaps you got your ink decades ago, back when tribal and flowers were the Infinity and feather tattoos of today.
This is how you can update an old tattoo so that your design screams of the times.
Add Color
Freshening up the color in an old tattoo immediately makes it better. All tattoos will fade over time, which is why it is crucial to protect your ink with an SPF30 whenever you venture to the great outdoors.
In the meantime, adding more color to your tattoo can also change its style.
Make Larger
Maybe you still like your classic rose tattoo, but it’s looking a little dinky in comparison to today’s larger body pieces.
You might want to keep your original tattoo design and ask your trusted tattoo artist to enlarge it and add perhaps some more petals to the bloom. If you are satisfied with the original design concept and, of course, your tattoo placement, enlarging an old tattoo is a simple suggestion that will change the look of your tattoo ever so slightly.
Add Details
Perhaps that snake tattoo curled up on your shoulder blade has lost a bit of its charms.
A talented tattoo artist knows it’s always in the details! Perhaps you need to add shading, reshape the snake’s eye, or even draw a basket by its side. There are so many ways an old tattoo can benefit from a few well-placed and considered design additions.
Add Verses
Phrase and quote tattoos are some of the most popular tattoo ideas. Adding a simplistic quote or a verse to your old tattoo might help update the look and design style. If you have a cross tattoo, why not consider a Biblical psalm? Are you wearing a heart tattoo? How about adding a quote about love?
Whenever you opt for a script tattoo design, make sure you select an artist whose handwriting you like. There’s perhaps nothing worse than an illegible or botched verse tattoo, which is why you always want to double-check the spelling too.
If you’re going to take the time to update your tattoo and enhance its design, you must also find the right artist this time around.
Look at portfolios, new or cover-up work. Ask them questions about how they can change your old tattoo ever so slightly by making a few simple design enhancements.
While covering up an old tattoo is likely the more popular solution, many, MANY tattoos can survive a lifetime just by giving them a little more attention. So freshen up all that faded ink, add a few intricate design details, and don’t forget to double-check all of the changes before inking them the second time around.
Everyone deserves a second shot, and that includes you and your tattoo! If you’re embarrassed about your design circa 1999, then modernize it and bring it back into the future.
