TikTokers have been going viral lately for their botched attempts at tattooing freckles onto their faces, leading to a flurry of news articles warning against the dangers of this trend. Many clinics are reporting an increase in the number of women seeking expensive tattoo removal treatments after attempting to create their own freckles at home.
One London-based permanent makeup artist, Laura Kay, has spoken out against the trend, saying, “I wouldn’t advise that you get tattoo freckles done. People who do tattoos at home without a licence are known as scratchers, and that’s not legal. Tattoo artists must have a licence, and DIY tattoos pose a real risk of HIV or hepatitis.”
Some have tried using plant-derived henna, which can irritate the skin, while others have used bottles of black ink advertised as “DIY Tattoo Fake Freckles” for as little as £5.70. However, the results of these at-home tattooing efforts have not been successful. Australian reality TV star Tilly Whitfield went viral last year after her DIY freckle tattoo attempt left her with permanent scarring and temporary loss of vision in one eye. One British TikToker reported that it took hours to rub the black stain off her face after using the wrong type of henna.
Permanent makeup specialist Sian Dellar, based in London’s Harley Street, has noticed that most of those attempting to create fake freckles are aged 18 to 25, and attributes the trend to the popularity of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who has natural freckles. Dellar offers a semi-permanent “Markle Sparkle” treatment, which creates a dusting of freckles along the nose and cheekbones for £295. However, she warns against trying to recreate the look at home, saying, “DIY tattoos carry a huge risk of infection and could cause serious scarring. We’ve seen an increase in laser tattoo removal at the clinic when these DIY tattoos have gone wrong.”
The removal process can be lengthy and costly, with multiple skin-repair sessions needed at a price of over £300 each. One TikToker, known as Jamie, learned this lesson the hard way after tattooing her own face with freckles using a needle and black ink. Jamie’s tattoo design was supposed to look like both freckles and star sign constellations, but the result was far from natural. Despite initially thinking the tattoos would fade, they have not, leading Jamie to seek laser tattoo removal.
Another TikToker, @runitmomma, also experienced a disastrous attempt at tattooing freckles onto her face. In a viral video, @runitmomma showed off her freshly inked face, complete with raised, dark spots that looked more like moles than freckles. She has since undergone three laser tattoo removal sessions and has spent over a year trying to get rid of the tattoos. @runitmomma advises others considering this trend to “do your research and go to someone with experience.”
Overall, it seems that the trend of tattooing freckles onto the face has not been a success, with multiple people experiencing negative and even painful results. It is important to remember that tattoos should only be done by licensed professionals in a safe and sterile environment to avoid the risks of infection and permanent scarring.
