Tattoo Touch Up Cost

A tattoo, although it will last permanently, it usually will not look the very same 10, 20, or even thirty years from now.

Sometimes, it might not heal properly from the start.

For these factors, those who did have a tattoo at some point in the past will usually return to either the same tattoo artist who carried out the tattoo at first or someone completely different to retouch the tattoo, making it look like brand-new again.

The expected tattoo touch up price

The price of retouching a tattoo will be linked to a couple of factors, like the amount of retouching that has to be done, the artist you went to (Is it the initial artist or not), and if it is the initial artist, their touch up fee.

Having these aspects in mind, a very small touch up might cost close to nothing, which is the situation the majority of the time as long as it is done within a particular time span and at the same store, you had it done in the past, to about $50 ~ for the normal-sized tattoo at a different studio.

If it has been longer than a year and the touch up is needed due to hard degradation then be prepared to spend $50+, depending upon the size of the tattoo and the amount of work that requires to be done. Basically, to prepare, take the rate you spent for the tattoo and divide that to 2 to get something very close to reality.

We also have articles on the cost of a tattoo, a henna tattoo, and nose piercing.

Remember that even if an artist wouldn’t mind retouching for free, they will still require the funds to cover the essential materials, setup, and submit the required documentation. Just for the setup, usage of the products, and about 45 minutes of the artist’s time, it might cost the studio more than $15 to $25.

Members on one forum’s thread talked about what they had actually paid to have their tattoo touched up, and most of them reported they had actually paid anywhere from $0 to about $60 for a normal sized shoulder tattoo. While a lot of stores will retouch the existing tattoo, as long as it was made there at first, a number of the members suggested leaving a $10 to $20 tip for the artist.

On an online forum, a member published a photo of her tattoo and asked what a touch up would cost at a known studio, a different from the one that originally made it. The majority of the members specified you must be prepared to pay a minimum fee, which might vary anywhere from $40 to $80.

Why would I need a touch-up

A tattoo will require a touchup for many different reasons. Some of the reasons might be leaving it out in the sun too long or even kept in water for a very long period of time.

After getting tattooed, some people are frequently tempted to pick at the tattooed spot, which, as you surely know, is a huge no-no. Picking at the scab can interfere with the ink, which means that you will need to get it retouched practically right away after you had it finished at the shop.

Finally, anything, aside from what has actually been discussed, that draws ink particles far from your dermis layer might require a touch up too.

How long will the touch up take?

The size of your tattoo and how complex the design is will considerably impact the time it will take to retouch your tattoo. Some smaller sized, simple tattoos can take just 10 minutes, whereas a vibrant tattoo that uses up your whole back might take hours.

When will it be time to get a touchup?

Most of the time, customers will have to wait a minimum of 6 months before needing a touchup, however, the time you wait will be completely based upon its size, the level of detail, and how quickly your skin can heal.

At the same time, you can check out your tattoo in time to see if it will need a retouch. Usually, tattoos that look either weathered, faded, or start to lose color might be an indication it’s time to return to the tattoo artist.

How to avoid the need for a tattoo retouch

You should always make use of a high SPF sunblock and avoid the sun when going outside. Avoiding sunlight can significantly reduce your chances of a touch up in the future.

Right after getting your tattoo, do everything you have to, to stay within the aftercare standards. This will mean to constantly clean your hands, to change the plaster, and to use a quality lotion. Avoid any touching of the scab, despite how tempting it might be.

Tips to know about

Make sure you ask about the tattoo artist’s retouch policy prior to leaving the shop. Some artists might have a lifetime warranty for as long as the tattoos are always redone by them, whereas other studios might have a limited time frame which might last as much as a year or less.

Even if you’re fulfilling the studio’s standards, do not be shocked if the studio declines your touch up request due to inappropriate aftercare. For instance, one studio specifies they will not cover the touchups if you ignored to look after your tattoo.

Even if the touchup is totally free, it is a great idea to give your artist a tip.

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Alec Pow

Alec Pow is a thorough and methodical Financial and Business Analyst with over 15 years of experience in financial statement analysis, Foreign exchange derivative hedging instruments analysis, modeling, and risk management, with a long history of writing for big news publications like Forbes, MSN.com, Washington Post, and many more.