Can Tattoos Alter After Weight Loss And Body Changes? - Byrdie

Weight fluctuations and changes in your body are not only normal, but should be expected. If you have a tattoo, these physical changes can alter your design and placement—however, the effects are less noticeable than you might think. Ahead, you'll find information on how weight loss and weight gain could affect your body ink.

Meet the Experts

• Jaz Paulino is a head artist at Fleur Noire tattoo studio, with locations in New York and Los Angeles.
• Dillon Forte is a celebrity tattoo artist who is internationally known for his sacred geometry work. His clients include Chris Hemsworth, Usher, Kat Von D, Kehlani, Ben McKee of Imagine Dragons and others.

How Weight Loss Affects Tattoos

When it comes to weight loss, the biggest changes in the composition of your tattoo will be its size and location on your body. For instance, if you got a tattoo on the side of your thigh, then lost a considerable amount of weight, the positioning of that tattoo might no longer be the same. Instead of staying in place on the side of your thigh, it might migrate toward the front or the back.

"I've personally only seen this example on expecting mothers who have their bellies tattooed," says tattoo artist Jaz Paulino. "Once they are close to delivering, a round tattooed belly will appear warped, or enlarged until she gives birth, then it goes right back into place (usually)."

Additionally, a tattoo that previously covered a small area of your thigh might look like it covers more area as your thigh lessens in size. It’s important to note that smaller tattoos might also lose their detail as the skin, which was once pulled taut, shifts.

How Weight Gain Affects Tattoos

"Weight change has virtually no effect on the tattoo unless the weight gain or loss is [about] 100 pounds," says celebrity tattoo artist Dillon Forte. Similar to weight loss, weight gain can affect the placement and size of the tattoo design. And while stretch marks can alter an existing tattoo design, the effects of the marks depend on each individual’s specific design and placement. If you decide to touch up the area later on, seek out a tattoo artist who specializes in the area, as this skin texture can prove tricky to work with. Working out and toning your muscles shouldn’t affect your tattoo at all, but if heavy weightlifting is in fact your thing, significant muscle gain could morph the shape. The better the placement of the tattoo in relationship to the muscle, the less chance of it changing. If you're concerned about this before getting the tattoo (maybe you're planning to make some lifestyle changes), discuss it with your tattoo artist.

How to Minimize Tattoo Distortion After Weight Fluctuation

"To minimize tattoo distortion, in any case honestly, [my advice] would be to moisturize," Paulino says. "Moisturizing the skin is so important in general, but especially if your skin is experiencing some elasticity in either direction. To support the skin being stretched, whether it be weight loss or gain, pregnancy etc., just be sure to moisturize your body with [whatever product] works best for you."

Key Takeaways

• Rethink tattoos on areas of your body that fluctuate in weight if you want to keep the composition of the tattoo consistent.
• Minimize tattoo distortion by keeping the skin well-hydrated with an oil-rich moisturizer.

Forte adds that before getting a tattoo, think about how any future fitness or diet plans might impact your ink. "If you have a set plan to lose weight or gain for fitness reasons, be mindful of how drastic those changes will be," he says. "If it's just a few pounds either way, you probably won't see much change with your tattoos. However, if you are looking to lose 100 pounds or gain enough muscle to look like The Rock, you will absolutely notice a difference in the original tattoo. Using a quality tattoo skin care product [he recommends ForteTattooTech's Healing Herbal Salve], will reduce some of that impact, and of course take good care of the rest of your skin as well."

The Final Takeaway

"When it comes to weight loss or weight gain, tattoos can be slightly affected if the change is very drastic," Paulino says. If you already have a tattoo and have noticed changes in your artwork due to weight loss or weight gain for whatever reason, visit your tattoo artist for a touch-up and for their professional opinion. You might even decide on a reworked version of your original art that better represents this stage of your life. At the end of the day, though, the decision to embrace your ever-transforming body art or touch it up is a decision you can (and should) make for yourself.