Why do tattoos always fade with time?

Everyone knows tattoos fade over time, it's just part and parcel of having ink, but have you ever wondered why they fade? Surely once you're tattooed then that should be that? And if tattoos do fade, then why don't they disappear completely over time? Well, get ready for a science lesson...

Getting under your skin

Basically, your skin is made up of two separate layers, an outer and inner layer. The outer layer is called the epidermis, and this layer heals itself easily. New skin cells grow underneath and over 3-4 weeks will gradually move up to the surface, replacing old skin. This is why you can get a scratch, but it's gone a couple of weeks later. 

The bottom layer, the dermis, is different. It's usually protected by the epidermis, so doesn't need to replenish itself every month. It is in this layer where a tattoo is injected, and because the dermis doesn't regenerate like the outer layer, the ink stays where it is. 

Why tattoos eventually fade

Ok, that explains why the ink stays where it is, but this doesn't explain why tattoos fade over time. Well, it comes down to the actual microscopic ink particles in your blood. They come in all different sizes, and some are bigger than others. Don't forget, this ink is a foreign body, and your white blood cells see it as a threat. They'll attack the ink particles and those small enough will be "eaten" by your white blood cells and removed from the body via the liver. You'll literally piss out your tattoo. As for the bigger particles, the white blood cells can't destroy those, so they stay in your body.

This is why tattoos fade over time. Some of the ink is taken by your body's natural immune system, and the rest is left, meaning it fades over time as the ink is broken down.

Your tattoo fades because there is literally less ink than there used to be!

If you're got some old tattoos that need a touch up, then give us a call. We'll be happy to restore your ink to its former glory.

Sunset are now official licensed distributors of Eternal Ink!

Sunset Tattoo Studio are proud to announce we are now official distributors of Eternal Ink, and are now selling it through our tattoo supply site, Tattoo Station.

Eternal Ink

Founded by Terry “Tramp” Welker in 1980, Eternal Tattoo Supply is a leader in the tattoo industry.

Eternal’s focus has always been on the art of tattooing and finding continuously better ways to support tattoo artists in their efforts to design long-lasting, high-quality tattoos.

The brand has grown to include Eternal Tattoo Ink, Welker Brand Tattoo Machines, and a variety of tattoo supplies, including tattoo needles, tubes and grips, latex gloves, stencil and art supplies, tattoo videos and books, and other tools of the tattooing trade.

Benefits of Eternal Ink

The rise of counterfeit tattoo ink has increase worldwide in recent years.

Eternal Ink has been a well-known brand of the highest quality for nearly 40 years.

Made from organic pigments, deionized water and hamamelis water, this bright coloured ink is free of animal by-products and is vegan.

Supplied in a medical grade sealed bottle, ensuring its longevity before and after opening, the ink pigments are regularly evaluated for testing and comply with all health and safety regulations.

Eternal Ink is not tested on animals. Although a Gorilla with a tattoo would be awesome.

Come to Sunset for your tattoo supplies

We offer the best selection of top-quality tattoo supplies at the most reasonable prices to the professional tattoo artists of New Zealand.

Eternal Ink are very picky about who they let sell their high-quality products. We are the only distributors in Auckland given this privilege and we take it seriously.

Contact us today if you’d like to order some of the finest tattoo ink at the cheapest prices, or head on over to Tattoo Station and take a look at the other tattoo supplies we offer.

Sunset Tattoo welcomes Spanish artist Miguel!

Sunset Tattoo are honoured to announce we’ll be having a new guest artist joining us in April.

M13tattoo, otherwise known as Miguel, is a Spanish artist who has been tattooing for almost 3 decades.

Miguel is a well-travelled man, and has been on the road tattooing thousands of people since 1996!

His travels have seen him in dozens of countries, but now he’s here in New Zealand and we’re lucky enough to have him at Sunset.

Miguel’s Script Style

Miguel is an expert in script tattoos, and is top of his field with Chicago Style.

The script style of tattoo lettering is designed to imitate polished handwriting in a cursive style.

Tattoo script is often delicate and can be difficult to produce for an artists who isn’t especially experienced.

Much like calligraphy, tattooing script takes a lot of practice and a fluidity that doesn’t always come natural.

This is where Miguel’s 30 years of practice come in handy.

The Great Auckland Flash Party

Miguel happens to be here at the same time we’re having our second Great Auckland Flash Party!

On Friday 7th and Saturday 8th of April, we’ll be taking walk-in’s from the street. You can walk in, pick a tattoo off the wall, and we’ll do it at a reduced price.

Or book ahead with your favourite artist. Some of these guys are booked months ahead or live in different cities so it’s a great opportunity to get an affordable one-off tattoo.

Every time we do this it gets more fun, bigger, and better. Get in quick or miss out!

You can check out Miguel’s work here, or hit him up on Instagram and Facebook.

The Great Auckland Flash Party 2017

The Great Auckland Flash Party is back for another year!

Last year was such a roaring success, we’ve made this year even bigger and better. This year we are absolutely stoked with our amazing line-up of some of the best traditional tattoo artists and leading innovators in the NZ tattoo scene.

How does it work?

Same as last year - We bring together some of New Zealand’s best Tattoo artists for two days of tattoo madness.

Each artist will put a variety of fresh new line drawings up in the shop over the coming weeks, with special one-time only, lower than usual pricing!

You can walk in on the day, pick a design, and get it done, or pre-book with your chosen artist by emailing olwen@sunsettattoo.co.nz.

Who’s going to be there?

We have some of the very best tattoo artists ready and willing to give you a design you’ll love for ever. Sunset’s own resident artists Fabian Bidart and Tom McMillan will of course be there, along with our new colleague  Capilli Tupou from Ten Tigers Tattoo.

This year we’re turning it up to eleven, with guest artists like the amazing Matt Jordan (@mattjordantattoo), Sam Carter, Rohan Skilton (@deathorglory666tattoo) and James McKenna (@j__mckenna) to name but a few.

Shut up and take my money!

Tattoos will range from around $100-$300. Some of these artists are booked months ahead or live in different cities so it’s a great opportunity to get an affordable one off tattoo from one of your favourite artists.

Every time we do this it gets more fun, bigger, and better. Get in quick or miss out!

All artist are taking limited bookings each morning. Contact the studio if you would like to secure a time! 

Tattoo supplies: For tattoo artists, by tattoo artists

After years of working in the tattoo industry, we got sick of having to pay the middle man for all our supplies. That’s why we’ve started selling our own, cutting out the ‘businessman’ in the middle, and bringing high-quality tattoo supplies to the studios right here in New Zealand at reduced cost.

We are excited to announce our new range of tattoo supplies and aftercare products. Our new sister site, Tattoo Station is now up and running, bringing you unbelievable deals on high-quality tattoo products and equipment.

BOTAN PREMIUM NEEDLES

Botan Premium Tattoo Needles are the best possible quality tattoo needles available in New Zealand today. Developed by us right here at Sunset Tattoo, these incredible tattoo needles give the absolute best result no matter what style you are working in.

PREMIUM CUSTOM DISPOSABLE TUBES

We have been running our tattoo studio completely with disposable tubes for the past few years, and during those years we have tested every disposable tattoo tube on the market that we could find. Many tubes lacked proper ink flow, felt bad to use, or would fall apart easily. After years of testing, we have found the best possible tubes, with the best ink flow and the sturdiest construction. They are simple, but they do the job better, making colours brighter, with amazing ink flow.

PROTAT TATTOO AFTERCARE CREAM

At Sunset, we suggest Protat Aftercare Cream. Protat are the world’s first tattoo aftercare company. By using chemists from their development team and overseas they are constantly researching new ingredients, with natural products receiving special attention.

Each Protat product has been precisely formulated with highly experienced members of the tattoo and piercing profession. New developments by Protat can only benefit the industry and enhance respect for body art practitioners everywhere. Protat Premium After Care cream has been designed to be the primary product in the Protat range. It utilises the technology of the Soothing After Care Cream with the added ingredients.

This new range of products is for tattoo artists, by tattoo artists. We know the difference between quality tattoo equipment and the cheap, nasty stuff, and we make sure you don’t get the latter.