Tattoo artist Eva Ronnova has outlined a set of essential rules for safe tattoo healing and proper skin preparation in comments to Russian news outlet Izvestia.
Ronnova explained that the final quality of a tattoo depends heavily on how well a person prepares their skin before the session and cares for it during the recovery process.
To achieve the best results, the specialist advised individuals to start preparing five to seven days before their appointment. She recommended regularly moisturizing the targeted skin area while avoiding sunbathing and tanning beds to ensure the image remains crisp and sharp.
Ronnova cautioned that active skincare ingredients should be paused as the session approaches. She said clients must stop using retinol, chemical acids, and harsh physical scrubs on the designated skin area two to three days before getting tattooed.
On the day of the appointment, clients should arrive with clean skin that is completely free of body oils or heavy cosmetic creams.
Rules for post session care
Proper maintenance remains equally vital once the tattooing session is complete. Ronnova noted that skin peeling is a natural stage of the healing process, but warned that people must refrain from scratching the area to prevent permanent scarring.
During the first few weeks of recovery, the specialist urged individuals to stay away from full baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas. Exposing fresh body art to standing water or steam can irritate damaged skin and increase exposure to bacteria before the skin barrier fully closes.
Protecting tattoos from sun damage
Sun exposure represents one of the largest long term threats to body art. Ronnova said the best way to maintain a tattoo over time is consistent aftercare and applying sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 to 50 when exposed to sunlight.
Ultraviolet radiation gradually degrades pigment contrast over time. She explained that this fading is particularly noticeable on fine line work and delicate color shades.
If someone has an upcoming beach trip or expects heavy sun exposure, Ronnova advised rescheduling the tattooing session entirely. She pointed out that sunburned skin copes poorly with both the initial preparation and the subsequent healing phase.
Celebrity tattoo trends
The advice comes as interest in delicate line work and minimalist body art continues to grow. Earlier in August, American pop singer Ariana Grande got a matching tattoo with her partner, with fans spotting a lettered inscription inked onto her collarbone.
Izvestia is a long established daily newspaper based in Moscow that publishes news, lifestyle guides, and expert commentary across Russia.
