Getting freckle tattoos is a popular trend for those wanting to add a bit of natural-looking charm to their face. However, before you jump into getting these permanent beauty marks, there’s a lot you need to know. From preparing for your freckle tattoo session and choosing the right artist to taking care of your new freckles, making an informed decision is key.
This article discusses all of the important aspects of tattooed freckles to help you decide if it’s right for you. Whether you’re after a sun-kissed look or just curious about cosmetic tattoos, we have the insights to make the best choice.
How To Prepare For Freckle Tattoos
So, you’ve decided you’re going to get tattooed freckles. Is there anything you should do to prepare for your appointment? Yes!
1. Find an experienced cosmetic tattoo artist
You’ll need to research to find the best place to get your freckle tattoos. Just as regular tattooing requires you to find an experienced artist with a deep understanding of tattooing, it’s important to find someone just as experienced in freckle tattoos.
2. Avoid sun exposure, alcohol and certain medications
There are a few things to avoid in the lead-up to your freckle tattoo appointment:
- Sun exposure: It’s best to avoid the sun for up to four weeks before getting tattooed, as it can affect healing.
- Alcohol and medications: Just like getting a regular tattoo, avoid drinking alcohol 48 hours before your appointment, as it can thin your blood and cause excessive bleeding during the tattoo process. It’s also best to avoid taking blood thinning medications (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Accutane) before your appointment as well.
- Skincare products: Avoid using retinol or other harsh skincare products on the area for a couple of weeks beforehand, as they can make your skin more sensitive.
3. Have clean skin
On the day of your appointment, arrive with clean skin free of makeup, moisturisers and sunscreen, as your tattoo artist will have to work with a clean area to avoid infection.
4. Eat a meal and stay hydrated
Ensure you’re well hydrated and have had a good night’s sleep before your appointment to help your skin be in the best condition possible. You’ll also want to eat a meal before your appointment to prevent feeling lightheaded during the tattooing process.
How Freckle Tattoos Are Done
So, how does the process of getting tattooed freckles work?
1. Consultation
The first step in getting freckle tattoos is to go for a consultation. This is an essential step as it allows you to understand how the process works and what results you can expect by the end of the treatment. During the consultation with your freckle tattoo artist, you can discuss where you’d like the freckles placed and the coverage. This allows your tattoo artist to assess your skin tone and pick the most suitable shade of pigment.
2. Cleaning and pre-drawing
Today is the day you get your new freckles! Once you arrive for your appointment, your tattoo artist will clean your face of any makeup or skincare residue (it’s best to show up to your appointment without any makeup). Your skin must be clean before getting tattoos to avoid the risk of contamination and infection. Once your face is clean, your tattoo artist will use a cosmetic pencil to map out the placement, shape and size of your freckles.
3. Numbing
When you’re happy with the placement and sizing of your freckles, the tattoo artist will apply a topical numbing cream. After 15-20 minutes, the tattooing can begin.
4. Tattooing
There are two techniques your tattoo artist can use when tattooing your faux freckles. If using a rotary machine, they will insert a first layer of pigmented microdots before going over with a second layer. If using a manual tool, the tattoo artist will make lots of tiny dot-like incisions into the skin before filling them with pigment. The length of the tattooing process depends on how many freckles you want. However, it usually ranges from 25-40 minutes.
5. Cleaning and aftercare instructions
Once your tattoo artist has finished tattooing your faux freckles, they will clean your face of any excess pigment. You will then be given aftercare instructions to help with the healing process and to minimise the risk of infection and poor pigment retention. Because the ink used for your tattooed freckles differs from regular tattoo ink, the faux freckles will last between two and three years (with 18-monthly touchups).
The Different Freckle Tattoo Design Options
Here are some of the different freckle tattoo design options you can consider:
1. Natural-looking freckles
These faux freckles are designed to look like natural, randomly scattered freckles across the nose and cheeks. The tattoo artist will typically use varying sizes to mimic the randomness of natural freckles.
2. Sun-kissed freckles
Focused on creating a pattern that reveals the effects of sun exposure, these freckles are often placed over the nose and the high points of the cheeks, where the sun would naturally hit the face.
3. Accent freckles
Some people choose to have freckles tattooed in specific areas to accentuate certain features, such as under the eyes or on the cheekbones.
4. Rainbow freckles
While most freckle tattoos use a mixture of brown and black pigment to resemble natural freckles, some people opt for rainbow freckly tattoos in hues like pink, blue or even metallics for a more artistic and unique look.
5. Shaped freckles
Do you want cute heart-shaped freckle tattoos or a star freckle? The shapes of your faux freckles aren’t limited to the natural shapes. If you’d like to have a particular shaped freckle, be sure to talk with your tattoo artist about this to see if they can accommodate your request.
The Healing Process of Freckle Tattoos
At the end of your appointment, your tattoo artist will give you aftercare instructions to ensure the proper healing of your freckle tattoos.
On the day
- Do not touch the area where you’ve been tattooed
- Use a fresh cotton tip to apply the aftercare cream to your freckles
1-48 hours afterwards
- Avoid wetting or washing your face
- To cleanse your face, use wipes and avoid the area that has been tattooed
2-14 days afterwards
- Avoid putting makeup over the healing tattooed freckles
- Don’t scratch, rub or pick at the area, as it can lead to irritation, infection and scarring
- Apply your aftercare cream one to three times daily until the peeling has stopped
- Avoid submerging your face in water, as it can increase the chance of infection and prevent the healing process
- Don’t expose your face to direct sun, tanning beds or wind
- Avoid excessive exercise, as sweating can cause colour loss
- Sleep with a clean pillowcase and change it regularly to avoid infection
Book A Consult With Celebrity Ink
Have you always wanted freckles? Now’s your chance to get them! At Celebrity Ink, our professional and experienced cosmetic tattoo artists specialise in freckle tattoos and are ready to bring your dream to life.
Book a consultation at your nearest Celebrity Ink studio to discuss your freckle tattoo preferences and what you hope to achieve with the end result. We look forward to being on this journey with you towards beautiful faux freckles!
