You have a black tattoo that you've loved for years. But one day, you look at it in a certain light and notice something strange—the deep, solid black you remember now has a distinct greenish or bluish tint to it. Your first thought might be that the ink has somehow gone bad, or that your tattoo is fading in a weird way.
Don't worry. This is an incredibly common, and for the most part, normal phenomenon for aged black tattoos. You are not alone in asking, "why do black tattoos turn green?" The reason is a fascinating combination of the ink's original composition, the science of light, and the natural process of how tattoos age.
The #1 Culprit: The Composition of Black Ink
The most important thing to understand is that not all black tattoo ink is the same. While the highest quality modern black inks are often carbon-based, many black inks are actually a composite of other very dark pigments. To achieve a specific rich, deep, or "jet" black, manufacturers will often create a formula with a very dark blue, green, or even purple base.
When the tattoo is fresh, this base is so concentrated that our eyes perceive it as a pure, solid black.
The Science of Fading: How Your Body and the Sun Affect Ink
Over many years, every tattoo is subjected to two powerful forces:
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Your Body's Immune System: Your body is constantly, slowly trying to break down and remove the foreign ink particles from your skin.
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The Sun's UV Rays: This is the biggest factor. UV radiation is the primary reason for a faded tattoo. It penetrates the skin and shatters the ink particles.
As these forces slowly break down the complex black pigment over the decades, the strongest, most resilient base pigments are what's left behind. The less stable components of the black ink are flushed away, and the dominant dark green or dark blue base color begins to show through.
The Visual Effect: Healthy Skin is Key
The health of the skin over your tattoo also plays a huge role in its perceived color. Dry, ashy skin can diffuse the light, making a black tattoo look dull and greyish, which can sometimes accentuate any underlying green or blue tones.
The Solution: Long-Term Care for Your Black Tattoos
While you can't change the original base pigment of your ink from 20 years ago, you have a huge amount of control over how it looks today. The key to keeping your black tattoos looking as black as possible is a two-part maintenance plan.
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Sunscreen is Your Best Defense: This is the most critical step. By protecting your tattoo from the UV rays that break down the pigment, you are dramatically slowing down the process that reveals the colored base tones.
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Moisturize to Maintain Clarity: Healthy, hydrated skin is the secret to a great-looking tattoo. Daily moisturization is how to make old tattoos look new again. Our No Pain Tattoo Aftercare Balm is the perfect lifetime maintenance tool. It nourishes the skin, keeping it healthy and hydrated, which helps your black tattoos look their deepest, richest, and truest color.
The Verdict: Seeing a green or blue tint in your old black tattoo is a normal part of the aging process for many older inks. It's a sign that the less stable pigments have faded, revealing the ink's original base color. By committing to a lifelong routine of sun protection and quality moisturization, you can keep this process at bay and ensure your tattoos stay looking as bold as possible for as long as possible.