All about freckle tattoos

On TikTok and other social media platforms, freckle tattooing is becoming increasingly popular. In the past, many people wanted to hide their freckles, but now it seems that everyone wants them.

As a result, many tattoo artists are receiving more and more clients who want this type of tattoo. However, there are many questions and concerns about the safety and potential risks associated with the procedure.

While freckles can look great, there is a risk that the tattoo could turn out badly. This is because there are different techniques and approaches to tattooing freckles, and what may seem easy or simple is actually quite complex.

If you would like to know more about freckle tattooing, we can explore the topic further.

The freckle boom

The freckle tattoo trend involves attempting to recreate on the face the natural marks that many people have. This is a challenging technique that requires a high degree of skill and practice to achieve a hyper-realistic effect.

The rise of freckle tattooing can be attributed to its popularity on social media platforms, where actresses and celebrities who naturally have freckles greatly influenced the trend. One of the most well-known cases is that of Meghan Markle, who became a prominent figure in Europe when she married Prince Harry and became the Duchess of Sussex in 2018.

Megan also managed to be influential in the fashion world, for her style, but above all for her freckles.

The "Megan effect" refers to the phenomenon that occurred after Meghan Markle's wedding to Prince Harry, where many young girls and boys began to replicate her freckles in their makeup to resemble the Duchess. This trend gained traction on social media platforms, eventually leading to permanently tattooing freckles.

The popularity of this trend is not limited to Meghan Markle alone, as other celebrities like Kendall Jenner have also shown their natural freckles on social media, inspiring many others to embrace their natural features.

While facial tattoos have been developing for some time, they have become more widely accepted and popular with the rise of social media. However, ongoing discussions exist about the best techniques for achieving natural-looking freckles and whether freckle tattoos suit all skin types.

In the next section, we will delve deeper into these discussions and explore the potential risks associated with freckle tattooing.

Conventional tattooing vs ‘Freckling’

As mentioned earlier, there are various techniques used to achieve a hyper-realistic effect when tattooing freckles. The traditional method is the most commonly used by tattoo artists. However, another technique called "freckling" can also be used, which involves microblading.

Now, let's take a closer look at each of these techniques.

1- Conventional tattoo of freckles.

When we refer to traditional freckle tattooing, it encompasses both machine tattooing and handpoke tattooing. This technique allows for deeper injections, resulting in the ability to mark more freckles on the skin.

To achieve a more natural finish, many artists mix brown colors with thinners, preventing the freckles from appearing too harsh.

When it comes to traditional freckle tattooing, the selection of needles is crucial. Typically, artists use round grouping needles such as the RL or RS type, as they closely mimic the shape of natural freckles.

One common concern among people considering freckle tattoos is the longevity of the ink. While this can vary depending on the individual's skin type and the aftercare routine followed, freckle tattoos are generally expected to last between one to three years.

Freckle tattoos are said to typically last between 1 to 3 years, making them a semi-permanent tattoo.

However, the longevity of the tattoo ultimately depends on the individual's skin type and the care taken to maintain it. As the face is an area that is constantly exposed to the sun, it is important to be diligent with aftercare and avoid prolonged sun exposure.

As for whether a stencil is necessary for a freckle tattoo, it is ultimately up to the artist's preference. Some artists may choose to draw the freckles directly on the skin with a marker and wait for the client's approval before proceeding with the tattoo session.

2- The freckling method.

As we told you before, freckling is one of the many possibilities within the microblading technique.

In the article Differences between cosmetic and conventional tattoo, we tell you all the secrets when making this type of tattoo.

One of the main differences with the microblading technique is that it does not require the artist to be a professional tattoo artist.

Instead of a tattoo machine or conventional needles, microblading uses a dermograph tool with specialized needles that make a shallower injection, resulting in a more superficial deposit of ink.

This difference is crucial as it significantly affects the final outcome of the freckles. Unlike the conventional method, which produces more defined freckles, the freckling technique with microblading creates a softer and more natural-looking result.

Additionally, many people inquire about the type of ink that should be used for each method.

The truth is that the same inks can be used for both conventional and freckling tattoos. However, it is important to keep in mind that using too much thinner in microblading can make the tattoo rub off more easily.

On the other hand, if a very pure pigment is used in traditional tattooing, the freckles can be too intense and that is not desirable. It is important to remember that the goal is to achieve hyperrealism, therefore, it is crucial that the freckles look natural.

Some considerations about freckle tattoos

To begin with, one common question clients have is whether freckle tattoos are painful.

Generally, according to many people's experiences, freckle tattoos are not usually painful.

However, the face contains many blood vessels, which can cause tattoos to swell considerably more than in other areas.

For this reason, some clients may become concerned when their freckles look very swollen the next day, and may even appear too dark for a time, especially in the following days as the skin becomes inflamed.

This is normal; the swelling will subside naturally after a few days. It is important to be patient during the healing process.

It is also possible for the ink to change colour and appear reddish during the first few days of healing, but the freckles will eventually recover their original colour.

During the healing process, clients may also experience itching and discomfort, but it is crucial to advise them not to scratch as it could lead to scarring or poor healing of the tattoo.

Furthermore, skincare routines are not recommended during the first weeks of healing.

It is better to keep the face disinfected with a mild soap and apply the recommended ointments for tattoo aftercare. If you want to learn more about tattoo care, read our article on How to take care of a tattoo? and we will provide you with all the information you need.

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