A blowout is a tattoo whose lines have spread and gone blurry. It is a common worry, and it is easier to deal with once you know what causes it. This is how our artists explain it.
What a blowout is
During the session the needle goes too deep, into a layer of skin where the ink has nowhere to go. It spreads, and clean lines turn soft and blurred.
Why it happens
There are three common reasons:
- A technical mistake. The needle went deeper than it should.
- A thin-skinned area. On some parts of the body the skin is too thin for the work.
- Poor aftercare. The rules for a new tattoo were not followed.
Why fine line shows it most
Fine line is a technically demanding style. It has to be clean and precise, because the whole tattoo is thin lines. That is why a blowout is much easier to see in fine line than in other styles. If you are choosing a fine line artist, how to choose a tattoo studio abroad has the questions to ask, and fine line tattoos: how they heal and age covers size and placement.
How noticeable it is
That depends on how the tattoo was done, how deep the needle went and whether it was a technical mistake. A strong blowout is visible straight away.
Can it be fixed
Not right away. The tattoo has to heal completely before anyone can correct it. Without a laser, a blowout can’t be made lighter.
If the blowout is not severe, the best option is usually a cover-up: a new design that hides the old one. How much is possible depends on the scale of the work and on how the blowout looks. Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we tell you what can be done. The details are in cover-up tattoos: what is possible.
How we work to avoid it
We work slowly and adapt to each client. We find a compromise with you on the places and sizes. Aftercare matters too: tattoo aftercare: the first days, week and month has the full routine.
Questions people ask
Is a blowout the same as a tattoo that blurs with age?
No. A small tattoo packed with detail blurs over the years, which is why we start from the smallest size your design can carry. A blowout comes from how the tattoo was made.
Can a blowout be lightened?
Not without a laser. Once the tattoo has healed fully, the best option is usually a cover-up.
Does bad aftercare cause a blowout?
It can be one of the reasons. Follow the aftercare routine you are given, and message us if something looks wrong.
Can you fix a blowout from another studio?
In most cases, yes. It depends on the scale of the work and on how the blowout looks, so send us a photo and we tell you what is possible. For a blowout that is not severe, the best option is usually a cover-up.
Is a blowout always visible straight away?
A strong one is. How noticeable it is depends on how deep the needle went and how the tattoo was done.