Fine line tattooing uses small needles to create a thin, delicate, intricate tattoo design evoking fine artwork on the skin. A fine line tattoo is softer and thinner than traditional tattoos. Doing a design in fine line will take longer than it will take with thicker lines because of the precision fine line requires. The finer the needle the longer the tattoo will take.

If you have a specific line thickness in mind for your design please specify because this can greatly affect how long your tattoo will take.

Single needle tattoos take especially long.

Fine line tattoos create thinner and more intricate tattoo lines using 1-3 round liner needles, whereas traditional tattoos create thicker bolder lines using 6-12 round liner needles. Both styles can incorporate black and grey or color ink, and both styles can apply to the same areas of the body. Fine line tattoos are said to fade more aggressively than regular tattoos, though both tattoo styles will fade with time, and may need touch-ups. The longevity of your tattoo in either style relies on the location of the tattoo, how well you care for your skin, your body’s natural healing process. One or more touch ups may be necessary to sustain your tattoo integrity.

Yes, especially if you take care of your tattoo. When your skin naturally undergoes its turnover cycles to create new skin, the body actively removes some ink because it is a foreign body—and this is more pronounced in fine needle tattoos, especially linework only fine line tattoos. If you are getting a linework only fine line tattoo I suggest doing one touch up within the 1st year of the tattoo. In order to keep your fine needle tattoo fresh, make sure to apply lotion, and use sunscreen when exposing it to sun. Like any style of tattoo your fine line tattoo will keep its vibrancy if you care for it.

As with all tattoos, you should expect your tattoo to fade and for the lines to get slightly thicker over time. Please be aware of this when choosing whether you would like a fine line or regular tattoo.

The amount of touch ups needed necessary will depend on your body’s natural healing process. Please note that with each touch up the tattoo may get thicker, due to the layering process.