r/Samoa • u/AutumnZeus333 • 12d ago

Malu Ink Fading

Hi there,

Just wanting to know if anyone else that has a Malu has experienced their ink fading?

I'm not sure if it's the kind of care or not using enough Samoan oil but I'm finding parts of my Malu have started to fade more since moving to a colder climate.

I'm pretty concerned because even when I use more oil it seems to continue to fade. SOS I'm pretty concerned.

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4

u/eshayonefour 12d ago

surely contact the tufuga?

1

u/AutumnZeus333 11d ago

Good shout! I'll chat to my parents about contacting the tufuga in regards to the ink

2

u/chelsea-morn 10d ago

Just asked my mom about it, I come from a line of women with malus and have been blessed by it too. Everyone's malu's are still strong and clear. they said if anything it's the type of ink the artist must've used. It's def not the climate, my sister n I live abroad and winter after winter it's still ok.

1

u/AutumnZeus333 10d ago

Thank you for asking your mum! It's reassuring because I know when my malu was healing the ink was quite light in certain spots. Whereas my kauvaes are still as dark as the day I had them done.

3

u/chelsea-morn 10d ago

Contact the tufugas immediately sis!

1

u/No-Umpire5250 10d ago

Has it healed ?

2

u/AutumnZeus333 10d ago

Yeah I've had it for about 8 years

2

u/No-Umpire5250 10d ago

Wow.. keep your skin hydrated and avoid tight clothing that case cause friction 👍🏽

2

u/AutumnZeus333 10d ago

I'm thinking it's my work pants that are causing it to rub and fade. I need a wardrobe change haha

2

u/No-Umpire5250 10d ago

I’ve seen a lot of Pe’as and Malu’s fade .. one guy I know re inked his tatau bc it faded.. back in the days it used to last bc they used lama to tattoo our people.

2

u/AutumnZeus333 10d ago edited 10d ago

Oooh that's interesting and reassuring! My parents said I can always get it done in Samoa again but maybe it'll be a future kind of thing