ELECTRUM'S TATTOO CULTURE BLOG
☀️❄️ How Do I Take Care of a Tattoo in Summer and Winter?
Your skin changes with the seasons — your tattoo care should too. Tattoos are forever, but your skin isn’t.Dry air, sun, heat, cold, sweat — every season can mess with your ink if you’re not careful. Whether you’re dripping in SPF or bundled in hoodies, here’s how to keep your tattoos bright, healthy, and aging gracefully all year round. ☀️ SUMMER: Protect the Ink, Not Just the Vibe 1. Sunscreen Is Non-Negotiable UV rays are your tattoo’s worst enemy. They break down pigment and make your tattoo look faded and dull.Rule: Any tattoo that’s healed (6+ weeks) needs SPF 30 or higher every day it’s exposed.Choose a mineral-based, fragrance-free sunscreen — your skin (and ink) will thank you. 2. Keep It Clean and Cool Sweat and bacteria can cause irritation on healing tattoos.If you’re newly inked, avoid the beach, pools, and lakes for at least 2 weeks — they’re full of bacteria that can lead to infection. 💚 Pro tip: Artists trust Electrum Cleanse to gently clean and refresh tattooed skin without harsh chemicals. It’s safe for fresh tattoos and perfect post-session. 3. Hydration = Glow Dehydrated skin looks dull, and so do your tattoos.Drink plenty of water, moisturize daily, and use lightweight, non-comedogenic lotions during hot weather to keep your tattoo supple and smooth. WINTER: Combat Dryness & Cracking 1. Moisturize Like It’s a Job Cold air and indoor heat = dry skin disaster.When your skin’s dry, it tightens and flakes — not cute, and not great for your tattoos.Use a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer twice a day to keep your tattoos looking sharp and your skin barrier happy. 2. Avoid Scalding Showers Hot water feels amazing, but it strips your skin’s natural oils.Opt for warm showers and pat (don’t rub) your tattoo dry afterward. Apply lotion while your skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture. 3. Watch the Fabric Friction Winter clothing = layers = friction.Tight sleeves and scratchy fabrics can cause premature fading or irritation on healing tattoos.Stick to breathable layers and soft fabrics until you’re fully healed. 💚 Pro tip: New tattoos heal faster and stay protected with Dermor Tattoo Barrier Film. It keeps your tattoo safe from dry air, friction, and bacteria without suffocating your skin. All-Season Tattoo Care Rules Don’t pick or scratch your tattoo — ever. Keep it clean and lightly moisturized during healing. Use SPF every single day, no matter the season. Schedule touch-ups if your ink starts to fade — that’s normal over time. The Bottom Line Your tattoos deserve the same energy you give your skincare routine.Whether it’s blazing hot or freezing cold, taking a few extra steps each season keeps your art looking as fresh as the day it was done. Because good tattoos don’t fade — they’re protected.
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Does Getting a Tattoo Hurt?
Spoiler: Yes. But also no. But mostly... yes. Let’s get this out of the way — tattoos hurt.You’re having a bunch of tiny needles repeatedly pierce your skin to inject ink. Of course it’s not a spa treatment. But pain isn’t the same for everyone, and what hurts like hell for one person might barely register for another. The real question is: how much does it hurt, and what can you do about it?Let’s break it down like an honest tattooer would. The Science Behind the Sting A tattoo needle moves between 50 and 3,000 times per minute, depositing pigment into the second layer of your skin (the dermis).Your brain interprets that as pain, but your body releases endorphins — so after a few minutes, many people actually settle into a weirdly calm groove. Some even find it meditative. Others white-knuckle the table and pray for the sweet release of death. (Both are valid.) 💀 Pain Level by Placement Pain depends on how many nerve endings and how much padding are in the area you’re tattooing. Placement Pain Level Why It Hurts Forearm / Outer Arm 😎 Easy Thicker skin, fewer nerves Thigh / Calf 😌 Mild Fatty tissue = cushion Upper Back / Shoulder 😬 Medium Bony but tolerable Ribs / Spine / Sternum 😭 Extreme Thin skin + nerves + vibration Ankles / Feet / Hands 🫠 High Bones and tendons close to surface Neck / Head / Face ⚡ Severe Sensitive skin + nerve clusters Basically: the bonier and thinner the skin, the worse it feels. What You Can Do to Make It Easier Pain tolerance can vary day to day. Here’s how to make sure your body’s on your side: ✅ Do: Eat a full meal and hydrate beforehand. Get a good night’s sleep. Bring headphones or something to focus on. Take deep breaths and relax your muscles. 🚫 Don’t: Show up hungover or dehydrated. Take painkillers like aspirin (they thin your blood). Skip meals. You’ll crash mid-session and regret life. Move suddenly or flinch without warning your artist. The Tools That Help Modern tattooing has come a long way. Artists today have options that make the process smoother for both of you. Numbing Products: Many artists now use safe, professional numbing sprays and creams — ask yours before booking. High-end Equipment: Needles like Electrum Fire Cartridges glide more smoothly through the skin, reducing trauma and irritation. Clean Prep: Electrum Cleanse keeps skin disinfected and calm before and during tattooing. Aftercare Wraps: Dermor Tattoo Barrier locks out bacteria and friction while your tattoo heals, cutting down post-session irritation. Pain might be part of the process — but suffering doesn’t have to be. The Real Talk Here’s the truth: the pain is temporary, but the art is forever.Most people say the sensation is “annoying but doable.”And when you look at your healed tattoo — healed perfectly because you used the good stuff — you’ll know it was worth every second. So yeah, tattoos hurt.But so does regret. Choose your pain wisely.
What Your Tattoo Style Says About You (According to Science... Kind Of)
Your tattoos don’t define you—but they definitely express you.Whether you’re covered in flash, fine line florals, or biomech beasts, your skin is a living gallery of what you love, fear, and fight for. So what does your tattoo style say about you?Probably more than you’d admit to your therapist.
Tattoo Red Flags: What to Watch Out For Before You Book
Because the only thing sketchy at your tattoo appointment should be the drawing. Whether it’s your first tattoo or your fiftieth, walking into the wrong shop can turn a dream piece into a permanent regret. The truth is, not every artist—or studio—is created equal.
Traveling With a Fresh Tattoo? Read This First:
A new tattoo should be something you show off — not something you stress over while you’re on the road. But travel adds extra challenges for healing: bacteria exposure, friction, sweat, sun, and the dreaded mystery hotel sheets. If you’re getting tattooed right before a trip, here’s how to keep that fresh ink safe so it heals perfectly — and why your aftercare choices matter more than ever.
