Semi-Permanent Freckle Tattoos: The Ultimate Guide (2024)

Tattooed freckles have become popular as more people appreciate the natural look. While freckles can be recreated with a brow pencil, some choose a more permanent solution.

Here’s everything you need to know about freckle tattoos.

Freckle tattoos are semi-permanent cosmetic tattoos that mimic natural freckles on the face. They are applied anywhere on the face using a needle to create small, long-lasting dots.

Some clients choose specific patterns, such as theirastrological constellation.

Image source: Instagram @bren_paintedlady_pigments

Freckle tattoos are created through two sessions that involve opening the skin to deposit natural pigments and make tiny, natural-looking dots.

The first session sets the foundation, while a mandatory touch-up session is required 6-8 weeks later to enhance pigmentation and longevity.

To avoid potential regrets from overly dark results, opt for lighter pigmentation initially and darken the freckles during the touch-up session.

Image source: Instagram @jette.scherzer

Freckle Tattoo Process Step by Step

Here’s what the treatment is like, step by step:

Step 1 – Consults

You will have a chat with your artist and tell them what you want your tattooed freckles to look like and where you want them placed. They’ll assess your skin and pick the best shade for your complexion.

Step 2 – Cleaning and Pre-Drawing

Your face is cleaned from any makeup and skincare residues and sebum. It needs to be clean as the skin will be broken and there’s a risk of contamination.

The artist will draw on trial marks on your face and you can decide on the placement of the freckles, as well as their shape and size.

Step 3 – Numbing

A topical anesthetic is applied onto the area that will be treated. The numbing takes about 15-20 minutes to kick in, and once it does, the needling can start.

Some artists numb first and pre-draw second – it all depends on their preference.

Step 4 – Pigment Implementation

The artist will use either an electric PMU device or a manual tool with a needle to make tiny dot-like incisions on the skin, which are filled with pigment and add up to freckles. They may go over the same spot multiple times to saturate it in pigment.

This can take 20-45 minutes, depending on the number of freckles you want.

Step 5 – Cleaning

Finally, your face is cleaned of the pigment residues. You will be given aftercare instructions, and possibly an aftercare ointment.

Step 6 – Touch Up

Your skin needs 6-8 weeks to heal completely from the first session, during which time the pigments will settle into the skin and light up 30-40% compared to their initial shade. At that point, you should go back in for the touch up.

Image source: Instagram @headchopstudio

How Long Does the Treatment Last?

The treatment can take up to an hour, depending on how many tattooed freckles you want.

Tattooing over your nose can be uncomfortable but not too painful. Using numbing cream can ease discomfort, yet you might still experience pressure or the urge to sneeze.

If you sense any discomfort, request additional numbing cream from the artist and notify them if you feel a sneeze coming on. Sensitivity levels differ across various facial areas.

Microneedling is generally safe if done correctly, but some risks should be considered.

• Contamination and infection can occur if the procedure is not done in sterile conditions.
• Allergic reactions to pigments and numbing agents are also possible.
• There is a risk of permanent scarring if improper technique is used or the skin is overworked.

So, carefully choose your artist.

Image source: Instagram @stellarcosmetictattoo

Yes. As with any PMU treatment, freckle tattoos are not safe for:

• People with diabetes (consult your doctor)
• People with any bleeding disorders
• People who take blood-thinning medications (consult your GP and discontinue use if possible)
• People who’ve recently had Botox injections or fillers in the area that will be treated (wait at least 4 weeks)
• Pregnant or nursing women
• People with a history of keloids or hypertrophic scarring
• People with viral infections or diseases
• People who are going through chemotherapy
• People with skin irritations or Psoriasis near the treated area
• People whose skin was tanned recently

Depending on your skin type and lifestyle, they can last up to 3 years.
However, some factors can speed up the fading of tattooed freckles:

• Frequent sunlight exposure
• Frequent swimming in chlorinated or saltwater
• Aggressive skincare ingredients
• Chemical and mechanical peels
• Excessive smoking
• Frequent alcohol consumption

To prep for a tattoo treatment, find a skilled artist you like by researching portfolios. Also, there are some things you should avoid in the weeks and days before your appointment:

• Don’t go sunbathing or tanning for 2 weeks. Tanned skin is more sensitive.
• Stop using any retinol or Vitamin A products one month prior. These thin out the skin and make it bleed more.
• Please avoid alcohol, caffeine, ibuprofen, aspirin, and fish oil supplements for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
• Don’t do any facials at least two weeks before the treatment.
• If you take blood-thinning medication, consult your GP and see if it would be safe to discontinue the use for a few weeks.

Yes, but it’s nothing complicated. It comes down to protecting the area from contamination and avoiding certain activities in order to prevent premature pigment fading.

Freckle Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

You need to:

• Avoid touching the area as much as possible.
• Keep the treated area dry for 24 hours.
• Clean the area as prescribed by your artist from day 2.
• Avoid makeup in the treated area for about 10 days.
• Keep the area dry for about 10 days. No swimming, saunas, or excessive sweating.
• Stay away from sunlight for about 2 weeks.
• Avoid harsh skincare ingredients.
• Apply the prescribed aftercare ointment regularly if advised by your artist.

After the area stops flaking, discontinue the aftercare routine and avoid direct sunlight exposure to prevent pigment fading.

Can I Wear Makeup After the Treatment?

Not immediately, no.

After a cosmetic treatment, wait 10 days before applying makeup to the treated area. Makeup can cause irritation and infection in tiny wounds.

You can wear makeup on the eyes or lips, but be careful while removing it to avoid any contact with the treated area.

It takes 6-8 weeks for your skin and the tissue underneath to heal completely, but the micro-wounds will close up much faster than that.

The symptoms of healing will only be present for about 10-14 days.

What’s the Freckle Tattoo Healing Process Like?

The freckle tattoo healing process is not as intensive as with some other PMU treatments. It does entail some minor immediate side-effects, and a few days of scabbing, and then flaking.

Here’s an overview of the freckle tattoo healing process:

• Day 1 – Redness, minor swelling, irritation
• Day 2 – Redness, swelling and irritation should have subsided. Scabbing starts.
• Days 3-5 – A thin scabby film is formed over the freckles. The area might feel dry or start itching.
• Days 5-10 – When the skin underneath heals, the scabby film will start to flake off.
• Days 10-14 – Flaking should end. Once it does, you can discontinue the aftercare routine.

You can expect your freckles to fade 30-40% by the time the healing process ends, so if they look too dark right after the treatment, just be patient.

Image source: Instagram @mandicolorshair

The first touch up appointment is booked 6-8 weeks after the initial session, once the skin has had time to heal completely. It’s mandatory, as it serves to replenish pigments after the healing process and ensure the longest retention possible.

Image source: Instagram @lauramakespretties

Tattooed freckles can be removed throughlaser,saline, orglycolic acidremoval. However, not all methods are suitable for freckle tattoo removal.

Since freckles are the color of the skin and contain titanium dioxide, laser removal may not be possible. Saline and glycolic acid removal are better alternatives, but finding a technician with expertise in freckle tattoo removal may be difficult.

The best option is to wait for the tattooed freckles to fade and cover them with foundation.

Image source: Instagram @browsbysage

As with any procedure involving breaking the skin surface, there are certain immediate side-effects and the most common are:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Itchiness
• Tenderness
• Irritation

After getting freckle tattoos, you may experience redness or swelling, which should go away within 48 hours

Freckle tattoos can age and turn ashy or grayish over time if the pigment usedis not specifically formulatedfor freckles. Choose an experienced artist to avoid unwanted results.

NOTE

As we mentioned, titanium dioxide can’t be touched with a laser beam. So if you have a freckle tattoo, you won’t be able to get any laser treatments in the area – not for anti-aging purposes nor for hair removal.

FRECKLE TATTOOS – MAIN TAKEAWAYS

If you really like the freckled look and you draw on your freckles with makeup, freckle tattoos are a great option. They’re a relatively simple procedure, but you should be aware that sometimes, they don’t age very well.

So you should be very careful when choosing an artist and make sure they work with high-quality pigments formulated specifically for freckle tattooing.