Freckle Tattoos 101: What You Need to Know Before Getting Inked (2024)

Skin experts share the most important things to consider.

• Tatiana Bido

We’ve reached peak saturation with the freckle tattoo trend. There are faux freckle filters, freckle makeup and tools that help mimic the natural patches of small brown spots, but all are temporary ways to adopt the look. Now, semi-permanent freckle tattoos have entered the chat. Here, we ask the experts to share what to know if you’re considering getting inked.

Featured Experts

• Julie Russak, MD is a dermatologist based in New York City
• Lesley Loss, MD is a dermatologist based in Rochester, NY
• Elaine Kung, MD is a dermatologist based in New York City
• Ava Shamban, MD is a dermatologist based in Santa Monica, CA
• Kally Papantoniou, MD is a dermatologist based in Melville, NY
• Wm. Philip Werschler, MD is a dermatologist based in Spokane, WA

How long do freckle tattoos last?

Makeup trends come and go, but freckle tattoos are meant to last for up to a year or more. The pigment is placed into the skin with a hand-held tool or a tattooing device.“Current freckle tattoos are semi-permanent makeup akin to microblading,” explains New York dermatologist Julie Russak, MD. “Those will start fading and should disappear within a year and half.”

Are freckle tattoos permanent?

Semi permanent freckle tattoos can last up to three years, influenced by factors like ink color, depth of deposit, UV exposure, overall health, and aftercare practices. Accelerators of fading include sun exposure, swimming in chlorinated or saltwater, aggressive skin care, peels, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Regular touch-ups may be necessary to preserve the appearance of freckle tattoos.

“Tattooedfrecklesmay not be easily reversible if you don’t like them and may cause scarring,” explains Rochester, NY dermatologistLesley Loss, MD. “Filters on social media seemto be contributing to this trend, howeverfreckletattoos are unlikely to look like the filter on a person’s actual skin.”

You also must be careful with the type of ink used, says New York dermatologistElaine Kung, MD. While “freckle tattoos” or “permanent freckles” are actually semi-permanent because of the use of permanent makeup pigmentrather than tattoo ink, Dr. Kung says you have to make sure that’s what you’re getting tattooed on your face.

“There are more concerns arising from the safety of tattoos because of the increased variety of pigments and diluents being used in tattooing. More than 50 different pigments and shades are in use, and the list continues to grow. Although color additives are approved for use in cosmetics, none are approved for injection into the skin.Many pigments used in tattoo inks are not approved for skin contact at all. Some are industrial-grade colors that are used for printing or automobile paint.”

What are the risks?

“The biggest risk is regret at having the design placed on your face,” says Santa Monica, CA dermatologistAva Shamban, MD. “Of course there’s also the risk of infection, allergic reaction and improper application.”

Will freckle tattoos fade or turn blue?

Regular body tattoos tend to change shape and color over time and our experts say the same can happen to the ones on your face, even if they are significantly smaller and aren’t meant to be permanent. “They will absolutely change,” says Dr. Shamban. “The body sensestattoopigment as a foreign body like a splinter and works hard to eliminate it. So, the macrophages, the skin’s clean-up committee, cart off the pigment, lightening thetattoo.”

“They may also become blurry or stretch as the skin naturally ages, and depending on the type oftattoo ink used, they may fade to an unnatural color,” adds Dr. Loss.

What if they don’t fully fade?

Semi-permanent tattoo is designed to fade over time, but Dr. Loss says if freckle tattoos need to be removed she stresses it should be done by a trained laser professional. “Some types of ink do discolor and turn white or pink, but it is unpredictable. There’s no way to predict what will happen.”

“As tattoo removal treatments are healing they are usually red and crusty, and there is a possibility of developing a discoloration or scar in the areas treated,” notes Melville, NY dermatologistKally Papantoniou, MD.

“To me, and I suspect most dermatologists, freckling represents sun damage, and I don’t find it particularly attractive,” adds Spokane, WA dermatologistWm. Philip Werschler, MD. “Although fake freckles are pretty harmless overall.”

Are there any other options that last longer than makeup?

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To achieve the faux freckle look without resorting to semi-permanent ink, consider trying out Frecklyz Waterproof Freckles ($9). These innovative temporary tattoo face stickers create the illusion of freckles for just a few days. They can add sun-kissed freckles or accentuate beauty marks, without risking sun damage or committing to a long-term change.