Help & FAQ
How long do Inkhub tattoos last?
Are Inkhub tattoos waterproof?
How can I keep my tattoo looking fresh?
Can I swim or workout after applying my tattoo?
Do I need to prepare anything before I apply a tattoo?
Does applying an Inkhub tattoo hurt?
How do I prevent my tattoo from smudging?
Should I shave? How long should I wait to apply after shaving?
Does the ink expire or have a shelf life?
Does Inkhub work on all skin tones?
Can I apply Inkhub on scars or stretchmarks?
Can I apply Inkhub on my face or as makeup?
Can I apply a tattoo over the same spot once it starts to fade?
My tattoo didn't develop as expected.
How long do Inkhub tattoos last?
Your tattoo will go from fresh to fade in 1-2 weeks! The ink will fade as your skin naturally regenerates. 🌟
Some factors that determine how long your tattoo will last include:
- Daily activity (i.e. what your tattoo is exposed to)
- Placement
- Moisturizing (a more moisturized tattoo will last longer!)
- Your skin’s unique chemistry
Here's a guide on where to place your tattoo for maximum longevity:
How to apply the tatoos?
Inkhub tatoos work by sinking our For Now Ink™ into the top layer of your skin. During the application process, the ink reacts with the organic compounds in your skin to change its color to dark blue or black, depending on your unique skin chemistry.
Traditional tattoos are permanent because they sit in your dermis. Inkhub tattoos sits in your epidermis, which naturally regenerates in 1-2 weeks. That's why our tattoos go from fresh to fade in roughly 1-2 weeks.
It's super simple! Follow the steps below - you'll be done in a minute 🙌
-
Prep your skin with wet wash cloth.
Exfoliate your skin in a circular motion for 30 seconds. Then, let the area dry for 30 seconds. - Peel off the backing.
- Place the tattoo on your skin, sticky side down.
-
Leave your tattoo on for 60 minutes.
Make sure to avoid any excessive movement and sweating. -
After 60 minutes, remove the applicator.
Your tattoo will look light blue or green at first. That's OK! It'll darken in 24-36 hours to a dark blue or black tattoo-like shade. 💫
Are Inkhub tattoos waterproof?
Inkhub tattoos are life-proof. You can shower, swim, sweat, and go about your day.
💡 While the tattoos are waterproof, water exposure may decrease the lifespan of the tattoo. To protect against fading, after applying sunscreen, apply petroleum jelly or your favourite balm to the tattooed area before jumping into the water. 🌊
How can I keep my tattoo looking fresh?
You applied your tattoo, it looks flawless, and now you'r wondering ... how can I keep it fresh for as long as possible?
Here are our top tips for tattoo aftercare:
- Don’t sweat or shower at least 8 hours post application
- Keep your tattoo moisturized, using a water based moisturizer
- After 24 hours, moisturize the area daily
- If you’re going to swim, cover your tattoo with a balm/jelly
- Don’t scrub or exfoliate the area
Can I swim or workout after applying my tattoo?
Inkhub tattoos are waterproof! Because our ink sinks into the top layer of the skin, it can withstand exposure to water and sweat.
✅ A few things to note:
- Wait at least 8 hours post-application before working out, showering, or going for a swim.
- Swimming in chlorinated water will impact the longevity of your tattoo - so will extended exposure to water. To protect your tattoo when swimming, apply some balm (such as petroleum jelly) over the tattoo before hopping into the water. 🌊
How can I remove my tattoo?
The best way to remove your tattoo is to lightly exfoliate with one of the following:
- Warm salt water - we find that this works best!
- A body scrub
- A wash cloth
💡 Be gentle with your skin and stop scrubbing if you feel any discomfort.
Note: Because our ink sinks into the top layer of your skin, it's tougher to remove the pigment immediately after application. You might need to wait a few days for your skin to start regenerating before being able to scrub the ink away.
Do I need to prepare anything before I apply a tattoo?
Before You Begin
Nothing major - but there are a few things to keep in mind 🤓
- Moisturize your skin 1 hour before you apply the tattoo.
- Use the primer wipe included in your kit before applying your tattoo.
- Apply your tattoo in a comfortable room temperature.
- Don’t apply your tattoo on areas of the body that will move or crease (e.g. elbow).
- Stay as still as possible for the hour while the applicator is on your skin.
Things To Avoid
- Avoid areas with dense hair, or shave the area 24 hours prior to application.*
- Avoid scars, moles, and stretch marks.
- Avoid sensitive areas like the neck, face, upper chest, inner biceps, etc.
Does applying an Inkhub tattoo hurt?
Nope! We're all about tattoos without the pain. 😉
The only discomfort you may experience is from taking off the applicator, which is similar to peeling off a bandage.
Here are a few tips for removing the applicator as seamlessly as possible:
- Hold the skin taut before beginning to peel.
- Peel swiftly in a continuous motion.
How do I prevent my tattoo from smudging?
Generally, smudging is the result of too much moisture being trapped in the applicator. This happens if your body is too hot before you put on the tattoo, or there's excessive movement while the tattoo is developing.
✅ The most important things to remember are:
- Moisturize the area 1 hour before application - it's best to use a water-based moisturizer!
- Use the Primer Wipe before applying your tattoo to make sure your skin is exfoliated and prepped for application.
- Don't reposition or reapply the tattoo once it's on your skin.
- Once the tattoo is developing:
- Avoid any excessive movement and heat
- Wear short sleeves to avoid any heat/sweat
- When going to bed the first night after application, wear loose fitting clothes over the tattooed area to avoid transferring overnight.
Should I shave? How long should I wait to apply after shaving?
If you have coarse or dense hair, we recommend shaving prior to application. This is because hair acts as a barrier between the ink and skin (so the tattoo won't adhere directly!). This can cause the ink to leak, smudge, or for the tattoo to be underdeveloped.
Light hair on the application area is fine and allows for a good transfer, but the more hair there is, the more room there is for error. If you are questioning whether or not to shave the application area, we suggest shaving it.
💡 If you shave, we recommend waiting 24 hours before applying your tattoo.
Shaving can cause micro-cuts in the skin that put the skin at higher risk of irritation. Post shaving, we suggest moisturizing the skin to heal any damage and keep it healthy for application. 🧴
Does the ink expire or have a shelf life?
For Now Ink™
Our For Now Ink™ has two different expiry dates depending on when you purchased it:
- If ordered before June 16, 2021 it has a shelf life of 3 months.
- If ordered after June 16, 2021 it has a shelf life of 6 months.
You should store your tattoos in a cool, dry location, and out of direct sunlight!
But don’t worry; it’s not harmful or toxic for your skin after that! The potency of the ink just reduces over time, so we recommend using it sooner rather than later for best results. 🙌🏽
To locate the 'best by' date of your tattoo, just take a look at the bottom right corner of the clear packaging!
Does Inkhub work on all skin tones?
Of course! Inkhub works on all skin tones.
Our formula absorbs into the skin and reacts with the amino acids in the epidermis (i.e. the first layer). This reaction changes the color of the skin to a blue/black. With darker pigmentations of skin, the darker the tattoo typically appears.
Can I apply Inkhub on scars or stretchmarks?
The skin on scars (marks left on your skin after injury) and stretch marks (small tears in the skin) doesn't rejuvenate at the same rate as clear skin.
Our studies on scar tissue lead us to not recommend application on scars or stretch marks, as the ink could get trapped in the skin tissue in these areas.
As well, scar tissue tends to be thicker. Because our ink needs to seep into the first layer of skin to develop, thicker skin can act as a barrier, preventing proper development.
If you do apply over a scar and ink becomes trapped in the scar tissue, the ink will fade over time.
Can I apply Inkhub on my face or as makeup?
We strongly recommend against applying Inkhub tattoos to the face, neck, upper chest, genitals, and other sensitive skin areas. The skin on these areas is more sensitive than on other parts of the body, which increases the chances of developing a reaction.
Similarly, don't use Inkhub as eyeliner or on your eyebrows!
Can I apply a tattoo over the same spot once it starts to fade?
It's good to give your skin a little break. 🙂 We recommend waiting until your Inkhub tattoo is completely faded before reapplying. Waiting one month between applications will help decrease the chances of sensitivity to the ink!
My tattoo didn't develop as expected.
Tattoo development will vary slightly from person to person. There are a few factors that can impact how your tattoo turns out. For example:
- Individual skin chemistry
- Whether your skin is properly moisturized (prior to and post-application)
- Whether you sweat during application
- How long you wait to sweat/shower after applying (we recommend at least 8 hours!)
If your tattoo didn’t turn out as expected, please email us at info@inkhub.shop with your order number - our team would love to help. 💛