But they do fade. I met a WWII vet last year, and I noticed the very faint remnants of a tattoo on his forearm. He said it was a unit tattoo he got on leave during the war. After 60+ years there wasn't much left. You wouldn't notice it in passing.
my dad’s was just as dark more than 51 years later, and he could still make it “roar” for the grand kids. (The tiger on his calf)