Here, a needle comes into play, and the technique of injecting ink into the dermis hurts, especially if you’re getting the tattoo in sensitive areas of the body, such as those with little fat or more nerve endings.

It’s not something that’s visible, but a tattoo is still an injury to the skin. That’s why you’ll need to take care of that area for a few days. During the first two or three days, the skin goes through a stage of inflammation and plasma release, during which the tattoo should only be washed with water and mild soap, respecting the skin’s pH.

Water not only keeps your skin hydrated but also helps maintain your energy levels high and balanced. When you’re dehydrated, your skin becomes thinner and drier. That’s why we recommend drinking plenty of water and applying moisturizing products a week before your session. Staying hydrated will make the tattoo process easier for the artists and less painful for you. Eating will prevent you from feeling weak during the session.

During a second phase, when the wound is already dry, you’ll need to moisturize it a lot for the tattoo to look good. Nowadays, there are products to pamper tattoos from day one, with antiseptic ingredients that soothe the inflammation caused by piercing the skin to introduce the ink.

This will depend on the size and type of tattoo, whether it’s a line or filled in, and the area where it’s done. But in general, you should expect it to take one to two weeks to heal. The ink is deposited beneath the epidermis, and except for the first few months after getting the tattoo, hardness or dehydration usually don’t occur on the tattooed skin. However, there are certain individuals whose way of healing may lead to fibrosis, leaving the tattooed skin slightly raised.

Tattoos don’t mix well with the sun because the heat from the rays breaks down the chemical structure of the pigments, causing the ink to lose color and brightness. So if you’re going to be in the sun (never during the healing period, which should be kept away from the rays), make sure to apply a layer of sunscreen, preferably with SPF50, on the skin where you have the tattoo.

Initially, a tattoo with a minimalist design seen on Instagram and filled with colors looks super aesthetic, but as time goes on, things change. The ink oxidizes and is reabsorbed, causing the tattoo to gradually lose intensity, and the tone changes. A black pigment, over time, can take on a gray or even bluish tone on the skin.