Freckle Tattoo Healing & Aftercare - Ultimate Guide
When it comes to micropigmentation, proper aftercare is key. To help you understand what to expect during the freckle tattoo healing process, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide.
Image source: Instagram @sakileenyc
After getting a freckle tattoo, proper aftercare is essential to ensure that the pigment heals correctly and that the final results are as natural-looking and long-lasting as possible.
So, it’s important to know what to expect during each stage of tattoo freckles healing process to ensure you’re doing everything right.
In this guide, we will break down the freckle tattoo healing process day-by-day, including what to expect in terms of color, scabbing, and overall appearance – as well as give you a few tips for proper aftercare. So, let’s get started!
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Quick Recap of the Freckle Tattooing Procedure
Since faux freckle tattoos are a form of cosmetic tattooing, they are usually done with permanent makeup pigments rather than traditional body tattoo inks.
Cosmetic pigments are formulated with components that our immune system gradually metabolizes, which means that our bodies can break them down bit by bit until they completely fade away.
For most clients, freckle tattoos last between 1 and 3 years, but the pace of fading depends on many individual factors like your skin type, immune system, lifestyle, etc. You can find more detailed information on the longevity of freckle tattoos here.
Faux freckles are done by opening up the skin either with a PMU machine or a handheld needle (the stick & poke method) and then implementing pigments into the punctures.
And, just like with other cosmetic or traditional tattoos, these tiny wounds require healing.
Image source: Instagram @nora_grace_tattoo
What to Expect During the Freckle Tattoo Healing Process
The freckle tattoo healing process isn’t as intense as for some other PMU treatments. It does entail some minor, immediate side effects, but they are only noticeable in the first few days post-treatment.
In general, freckle tattoo healing will take 6-8 weeks for your skin and the tissue underneath to heal completely, but the micro-wounds will close up much faster than that. So, the symptoms of healing (skin dryness, scabbing, and flaking) will only be present for about 10-14 days.
Here’s an overview of what you can expect from the tattoo freckles healing process day by day:
Day 1
Immediately after your freckle tattoo procedure, the area may appear red and swollen. The freckles themselves will appear much darker than their final result, which is normal.
You mustn’t touch or wet the area for 24 hours.
Day 2-3
During the first few days after the procedure, you may experience some swelling, redness, and tenderness. This is normal and should subside within a few days.
In case it does not, it may be a sign of a freckle tattoo gone wrong scenario and you should contact your doctor immediately.
Days 4-7
The redness and swelling should begin to subside, and the freckles may start to scab over. It’s important not to pick at the scabs or scratch the area, as this can cause scarring and pigment loss.
The area might feel dry or start itching. To alleviate the uncomfortable sensation, you can use healing ointments that are specially formulated for PMU aftercare.
Days 8-10
As the skin heals, the scabs will start flaking off. It’s important to continue to avoid picking at the area and to keep it clean and dry.
Also, you may notice that the color of the dots becomes darker or more intense. This is because the pigment is still settling into the skin. However, after a few days, the color will start to fade out to a more natural-looking one over the following month or two.
Days 11-14
By week two, the flaking should end. Once it does, you can discontinue the aftercare routine.
The freckles will continue to lighten as the skin fully heals. During this time keep in mind it’s still crucial not to do anything that’ll compromise the results, like exposing the area to direct sunlight or harsh chemicals, such as makeup or facial cleansers.
After 4 weeks from the initial procedure, your freckle tattoos should be fully healed and have reached their final color. This is when you should book a touch-up procedure if you feel that any areas need additional pigment.
Image source: Instagram @tattoosbymagda
Do Freckle Tattoos Require Any Aftercare?
Yes – but freckle tattoo aftercare is very simple and straightforward.
The main goal is to protect the area from contamination and keep the pigments’ saturation by avoiding activities that can accelerate fading.
You must keep your face dry for at least 24 hours following the initial procedure. After that, you should follow the aftercare regimen your artist recommended.
Tips for Freckle Tattoo Aftercare
Proper aftercare is essential to ensure that your freckle tattoos heal correctly and look their best. Here are some rules to follow during the healing process:
Keep the Treated Area Clean
For the first 24 hours, you need to keep the treated area dry.
After that, from day 2 onward, you need to clean it as your artist instructed.
This means gently washing the area with mild, fragrance-free soap and warm water. Remember, keeping the area clean helps prevent infection.
Here are some of our product recommendations:
Don’t Touch or Pick the Skin
Speaking of preventing infection – do not touch your tattoo with dirty hands!
In fact, refrain from touching the area altogether for as long as possible. And no scratching no matter how itchy it gets! The scabs formed post-tattoo need to fall off on their own terms to avoid patchy results.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Stay away from sunlight for about 2 weeks. It is important to avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds during the healing process as exposure to UV rays can cause the pigment to fade and affect the final result of your freckle tattoos.
If you must be outside, make sure to wear a hat and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30+. Here’s our suggestion:
Avoid Makeup and Skincare Products
No makeup over the treated area for about 10 days. Also skip any unnecessary skincare products, especially if the ingredients have the potential to irritate the skin. This means no fragrances, alcohols, retinoids, or other exfoliating acids.
Harsh active ingredients and exfoliants (both mechanical and chemical) will interfere with pigment retention.
Avoid Exercise and Sweating
Don’t get the area soaking wet for about 10 days. No swimming, no saunas or steam baths – and no excessive sweating. This means you should avoid strenuous exercise (for at least 24 hours) since sweating can affect the results.
Also, when it comes to swimming – keep in mind that exposure to chlorine and other chemicals from swimming pools can cause the pigment to fade and affect the final result of your freckle tattoos.
Follow Your Tattoo Artist’s Instructions
Your tattoo artist will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for your freckle tattoos during the healing process.
It is important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure that your freckle tattoos heal correctly and look their best.
Maintaining Your Freckle Tattoos Long-Term
Since fake freckles are created by depositing a pigment several shades darker than the client’s skin tone into their skin, they will look much darker immediately after tattooing when compared to healed results.
At the end of their healing process, your permanent freckles will look 40-60% lighter than they looked right after the treatment. Read more about how healed freckles will look here.
If you feel like your healed freckle tattoos look too light, you should go back in for a touch-up. Your artist will go over them once again, adding more pigment.
Although fading is inevitable, there still are a few ways to prolong the results for as long as possible:
Wear Sunscreen
UV rays can cause the pigment in your freckle tattoos to fade over time. To prevent this, it is important to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day (yes, even on cloudy days).
Sunscreen will create a protective barrier that shields your faux freckles and slows down the fading.
Avoid Harsh Skincare Products
Harsh skincare products can cause the pigment in your freckle tattoos to fade over time. While active ingredients, retinoids, and different acids do work wonders for anti-aging, texture, and hyperpigmentation – they also interfere with pigments.
You can read more about that here.
Take a Break from Facial Treatments
If you regularly receive facial treatments you should take a break while your freckle tattoos are healing and relatively new.
Getting facials like chemical peels or microdermabrasion speeds up the fading (and potentially further irritates the skin) since these treatments work by removing the outer skin layer.
Moisturize Regularly
Keeping your skin moisturized can help your freckle tattoos last longer. Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer on the area where your tattoos are to keep the skin hydrated and healthy.
Touch-Up as Needed
As we’ve already mentioned several times, these tattoos are semi-permanent after all. So if you’re not ready to let them fade completely, you may need to get a touch-up every 1-2 years.
Your tattoo artist can advise you on when it is time for a touch-up and provide you with a cost for the maintenance procedure.
Image source: Instagram @foxcraft
Freckle Tattoo Healing – Main Takeaways
Freckle tattoos are a great way to achieve the appearance of natural freckles, without having to draw them on with makeup every day. However, proper aftercare is essential to ensure that your freckle tattoos heal correctly and look their best for years to come.
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