Your SimpleTatt tattoo has just been applied and you want it to last as long as possible? Good news: with the right habits, you can easily go from an average wear of 5-6 days to 12-14 days of impeccable wear. The difference lies in a few simple but crucial actions.
In this guide, we reveal all our secrets to maximizing the lifespan of your temporary tattoo. Whether you're preparing for a wedding, a festival, a vacation, or simply want to get the most out of your favorite design, these tips will change your experience.
Why do temporary tattoos wear out?
A temporary tattoo is a thin layer of ink deposited on the top layer of your skin. Since this layer naturally renews itself and is constantly subjected to aggressions (friction, water, soaps, sweat, clothing), the ink gradually fades. Our goal: to slow down these aggressions as much as possible.
1. Choose the location carefully (key step)
The lifespan of a tattoo depends largely on where you place it. Here's our ranking by average duration:
Best locations (up to 14 days)
- Upper back / shoulder blade: little movement, little friction, little water
- Biceps / back of arm: stable surface, little wear
- Calf: large flat and less mobile surface
- Pectoral: little aggression
- Outer thigh: stable, little friction
Average locations (7 to 10 days)
- Forearm
- Shoulder
- Collarbone
- Flank
Locations to avoid for long wear
- Hands and fingers: wear in 2 to 4 days due to washing and friction
- Wrist: heavily used (watches, bracelets, clothing friction)
- Feet: perspiration and shoe friction
- Elbow / inner knee: skin constantly folds and breaks the ink
2. Prepare the skin perfectly
Skin preparation before application accounts for 80% of the tattoo's longevity. Before applying your tattoo:
- Wash the area with a mild soap to remove natural sebum
- Dry thoroughly (not a trace of moisture)
- Do not apply any cream, oil, perfume, or deodorant within 2 hours prior
- Shave hair if necessary – a tattoo on hair lasts half as long
3. Respect the first 24 hours
The first 24 hours after application are when the ink settles and permanently adheres. During this period:
- Avoid long showers – opt for a quick shower
- Never rub the tattoo with a mitt or towel
- Gently pat dry instead of rubbing
- Avoid intense exercise (heavy sweating)
- Do not apply any cream, oil, or perfume on it
- Avoid tight clothing that constantly rubs
4. Adapt your shower routine
You can shower normally with a SimpleTatt tattoo, but with a few precautions:
- No scorching hot showers – very hot water dilates the skin and accelerates detachment
- No shower gel directly on the tattoo – surfactants dissolve the ink. Wash around it, never on it
- No scrubs or exfoliants on the tattooed area
- Pat dry with a clean towel, without rubbing
5. Hydrate intelligently
Skin hydration prolongs tattoo wear, but it must be done correctly:
- Wait at least 24 hours after application before the first hydration
- Use a fragrance-free and alcohol-free cream (such as Bepanthen, Avène, Bioderma)
- Apply a thin layer by dabbing – never by massaging
- Hydrate a maximum of once a day
6. Protect from friction
Repeated friction is the number one enemy of your temporary tattoo. A few simple reflexes:
- Avoid tight clothing on the area (skinny jeans on the thigh, tight long sleeves on the arm)
- Remove jewelry, watches, bracelets from the tattooed area
- Avoid backpacks whose straps pass over a shoulder tattoo
- In bed, avoid sleeping directly on the tattoo for the first few nights
7. Be careful with swimming and the sea
Chlorinated pool water and salty seawater are particularly aggressive for temporary tattoos:
- Pool water can halve or third the duration
- Salt water and sand create natural exfoliation
- If you go swimming, pat dry immediately and then apply a protective cream
Tip: for a planned beach day, wait until you arrive at the location to apply your tattoo, rather than the day before.
8. Sunscreen: a false friend
Sunscreen is ambivalent. On the one hand, it protects your skin (and thus the tattoo) from the sun. On the other hand, its oils and surfactants degrade the ink. Our recommendation:
- If you can avoid direct sun, do so
- Otherwise, use a stick cream (less greasy) rather than a lotion
- Apply by gently dabbing, never by rubbing vigorously
9. Sports and perspiration: managing sweat
Perspiration moistens the skin and accelerates tattoo wear. If you exercise:
- Prefer low-sweat activities (yoga, light cycling, walking)
- After exercise, pat sweat dry without rubbing
- Avoid saunas and hammams (heat + humidity = tattoo death)
10. The game-changing trick: transparent powder
A often overlooked professional tip: apply a thin layer of transparent powder (loose makeup powder, like Coty Airspun or MAC) to the tattoo once dry. This powder:
- Mattifies the tattoo and makes it even more realistic
- Absorbs sebum and sweat
- Reduces direct friction
- Can extend wear by 2 to 3 additional days
Summary: the ideal routine
- Apply the tattoo to clean, dry, unscented skin, ideally on a less mobile location
- Let dry for 5 minutes without touching
- Avoid water, sports, and friction for 24 hours
- Wash around it, never directly on it
- Hydrate by dabbing once a day starting from day 1
- Avoid pools, saunas, hot baths
- Dust with loose powder to mattify and protect
With this routine, expect 12 to 14 days of impeccable wear for your SimpleTatt tattoos. Want to test it out? Discover our most popular designs and get the most out of every order.