Freckles can give off an adorable and youthful vibe. If your bare skin doesn't naturally showcase these charming brown spots, you may have considered drawing them on with makeup. However, that process needs to be repeated daily. For a semi-permanent solution, freckle tattoos are becoming a popular option.
What Are Freckle Tattoos?
A freckle tattoo is a type of semi-permanent makeup that mimics the look of natural freckles. Tiny dots of pigment are deposited into the top layers of the skin to recreate those cute sun-kissed spots. Unlike regular tattoos, which go deeper into the dermis, freckle tattoos only penetrate the epidermis. This allows the pigment to gradually fade over time.
Freckle tattoos have surged in popularity over the last few years. People love the youthful, innocent appearance that having freckles can provide. The tattoos offer the ability to get that look without having to use makeup products daily.
What Are the Benefits of Freckle Tattoos?
There are several advantages that freckle tattoos have over using cosmetics to create faux freckles:
Time Saver: With freckle tattoos, you don't have to spend time every morning dotting on semi-permanent makeup with brow pencils or henna freckle kits. The tattoos will always be there when you wake up.
Sun-Kissed Look: Freckle tattoos impart a natural, sun-kissed vibe to your appearance without having to get UV exposure, which can potentially damage your skin.
Customization: You can work with your tattoo artist to determine factors like the number of freckles, their size, shape, and the areas on your face to place them. This level of customization isn't possible with makeup.
Permanence: For those who have difficulty applying makeup properly due to a lack of steadiness in their hands, freckle tattoos provide a permanent alternative.
How Freckle Tattoos Are Done
Freckle tattoos are applied by trained permanent makeup artists. They use either a manual handheld tattoo pen or an electric PMU machine. Here is an overview of the process:
First, the skin is cleaned and prepped. A topical numbing cream is applied to make the tattooing more comfortable. Once the area is numb, the artist will use a pen to draw guide dots on the skin, indicating the placement of the freckles.
Next, pigment is implanted into the epidermis using the tattoo device. It penetrates just deep enough to deposit color without reaching the dermis. Several passes are made over each dot to embed pigment and build up the desired intensity.
Usually, getting the right look requires two sessions. During the first appointment, the majority of the freckles are tattooed. As the skin heals over the next 4-6 weeks, some pigment is lost. So, the second session is a follow-up to reinforce and touch up the tattoos.
Healing and Aftercare of Freckle Tattoos
Expect the tattooed area to be sensitive for the first 1-2 weeks after each session. Keep the skin clean by gently washing with unscented soap and applying fragrance-free moisturizer. Avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, sweating heavily, and swimming pools and oceans, which can contain bacteria.
Let any scabbing and dry skin naturally flake off on their own. Do not pick or scratch the tattoos. Once all scabbing is gone, you can resume your normal skincare routine. However, exfoliating should be avoided until fully healed.
During the healing period, the freckles may initially appear too dark. But as the treatment area recovers, expect them to lighten up significantly, losing 30-40% of the original color saturation.
How to Maintain Your Freckle Tattoos
While freckle tattoos can last 1-3 years, you will need periodic touch-up sessions to keep them looking crisp. How soon maintenance is required depends on factors like your skin type, sun exposure, and if any aggressive skin care products were used.
To prolong the results, apply SPF daily and avoid prolonged sun exposure. Quitting smoking can also help prevent premature fading. When you notice the freckles starting to lighten and blur, schedule a touch-up appointment.
If you eventually decide you want to remove the freckle tattoos, that can be difficult to do fully. Laser treatments are usually ineffective and unpredictable in this type of body art. The safest approach is allowing them to gradually fade over several years.
How to Choose a Freckle Tattoo Artist
Doing your research is key to getting the best freckle tattoo results. Be sure to choose an experienced permanent makeup artist who specializes in freckles over a standard body tattooist.
View their portfolio, paying attention to how realistic and aesthetically pleasing their work looks after healing. The ideal freckle tattoo color should complement your natural skin tone.
Read online reviews from former clients, noting how skilled the artist was and their level of patience and sanitation practices. You want someone well-versed in creating personalized freckle looks.
What Are the Costs and Considerations of Freckle Tattoos
Freckle tattoo costs generally range from $100 to $400. The price depends on factors like the experience level of the artist, the number of freckles being placed, and your geographic location. There may be packages that include subsequent touch-ups.
This semi-permanent body art does involve some risks. If poor tattooing technique is utilized, you may end up with uneven-looking or blotchy freckles. There is also a small possibility you could have an allergic reaction to the pigments. As with any tattoo, there are also infection risks if non-sterile equipment comes into contact with open skin.
And while freckle tattoos do fade, you need to consider that you will likely be left with faint remnants for many years. Trying to remove them completely carries the risks of discoloration and scarring.
What Are the Popular Freckle Tattoo Styles
While natural-looking freckle shades are the most popular, there are also some fun stylistic options to consider:
- Rainbow Freckles: Tiny dots of vivid colors like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple add a playful pop.
- Shaped Freckles: Simple shapes such as stars, hearts, and moons can be cute accents.
- Constellation Freckles: Position some of your freckles to match the stars in your zodiac sign.
If a freckled complexion is the look you are after, give the freckle tattoo trend a try. With the right artist and proper aftercare, this could be an excellent semi-permanent solution for achieving that desirable sun-kissed vibe.
Say Goodbye to Makeup and Get Tattooed
Freckles can subtly enhance your natural beauty. If makeup hassles have kept you from rocking this look, now is the time to take the plunge. Reclaim those mornings normally reserved for applying cosmetics by getting freckle tattoos. Ask yourself - are you ready to put your cute freckled face on display for the world to admire? Take control and make the choice to get the long-lasting, customized freckles you've always dreamed of!
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