What To Know About Micro Tattoos

One rising trend over the past few years – and it’s showing no sign of slowing down in 2022 – is that of micro tattoos. Plenty of celebrities are sporting fine line tattoos, and they are a reasonably accessible entry-point to getting inked, sometimes resembling more permanent accessories rather than tattoos. They can also be beautiful and impressive in their delicateness when done right. Several artists and studios are making names for themselves, specialising in the style. But are micro tattoos worth the hype? And will they stand the test of time? 

Small tattoos still require time

First of all, if you are looking to get a micro tattoo because you don’t want to pay a lot of money, you might want to rethink that idea. Sure, they will not cost you as much as a full sleeve. In turn, fine line symbols will not cost as much as a mini-portrait of your dog or an artistic rendering of Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night that require plenty of time and attention to detail. (However, they reportedly tend to hurt less than larger tattoos, so time will fly by.)

With tattoos, with rare exceptions (such as potentially overly hyped ‘celebrity’ tattooers), you get what you pay for, so be prepared to save up enough for a piece you will be proud of. With smaller tattoos, there is not much room for errors, so the experience and quality of the artist is still paramount. 

Will micro tattoos last?

Fine lines do fade faster. That is a fact. The trend is still relatively new, so it is hard to say how these tattoos will look over time. However, be prepared for that they might need some touching up a few years down the line – especially if they are in places that see a lot of natural friction, such as the fingers, hands or feet. The flip side of that is that they can more easily be reworked and covered up with bolder designs should you change your mind later on. 

It is always important to care for your skin before your tattoo appointment. Fine line specialists say it is especially essential when coming in for a micro tattoo. Exfoliating and properly moisturising for a couple of weeks leading up to your appointment will allow the skin to take the ink better, giving your piece a greater shot at longevity. 

Approach it as an adventure

Research the style properly before you commit. There are micro tattoos, such as small symbols. Then there are micro realism tattoos, often intricately detailed images of art or portraits. As we still cannot predict what they will actually look like in ten or twenty years from now, take them as a fun approach to tattooing, ask for a touch up if any of the ink is rejected throughout the healing process, and love it as much as you can for as long as it looks its best.