Summer Tattoo Tips

As mentioned in previous posts, summer brings an influx of visitors from all over the world to our shop! It is always such a pleasure to be a part of clients’ travel itineraries, however many clients have also been asking us how to best care for their new tattoos amidst summer activities like swimming, visiting the beach, and being outdoors in the summer heat.

Here are some tips on how to look after your piece while enjoying your travels!

Avoid direct sun exposure

Stay in the shade when possible, use a UV blocking umbrella, or keep your new tattoo covered with lightweight pieces of clothing like a t-shirt or linen trousers. This is also helpful because it protects your tattoo from particles like sand or pollen.

Stay out of the water

It is recommended that you do not submerge a new tattoo in water until it is fully healed. A tattoo is an open wound and submerging it can complicate the healing process and increases the risk of infection. This applies to both open water and chlorinated water. So with that said…

Plan ahead!

If you travel plans include a visit to the beach or pool, try to schedule these activities before your tattoo appointment. It is quite common for clients to visit us on the final day of their trip, which we think is a great idea! It also makes for a really relaxing and memorable end to their trip. And finally…

Listen to your artist, use your aftercare products as directed, and stay hydrated :)

Make sure to gently clean your new tattoo with a unscented soap twice a day, pat dry, and use a thin layer of the aftercare product recommended by your artist. Although it is often tempting to use a generous amount of aftercare cream, less is more. It is better to use a small amount 2-3 times a day, rather than a thick layer less frequently. And because healing starts from the inside, staying hydrated not only protects you from heat exhaustion but also encourages fast and healthy healing.

And of course, when in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask your artist any questions that you may have regarding healing or aftercare. It’s just as important to us as it is to you that your tattoo heals beautifully and healthily. We look forward to welcoming you this summer at MamaInk!

Minhwa tattoos: Korean folk art inscribed on the skin

What is minhwa?

Minhwa, or Korean folk art, is a style of painting that has historically been done by and for everyday citizens, rather than well-known and formally trained artists. Common subject matter include natural elements such as the sun and moon, mountains, clouds, animals, and flowers. There is also a spiritual element to minhwa, as minhwa paintings were traditionally believed to protect their owners and their families from bad luck. And because minhwa was developed by ordinary people, minhwa paintings are considered by art historians to be authentic records of Korean domestic life.

At MamaInk, we get quite a few international clients that like to collect a new tattoo in each new city or country they visit. This is super fun not only for our clients, but also our artists, as we get to see beautiful tattoos from all over the world up-close and in person!

Travelling is a great opportunity to get tattoos in artistic styles that are unique to certain parts of the world, such as minhwa! Let’s have a look at some minhwai-inspired tattoos recently done by MamaInk artists.

An inky, and detailed Korean pine

Clouds floating among the mountains and drifting outside the frame of their own canvas

Two brushwork-style cranes landing in the shallows as the sun sets

A playful mix of the modern and the traditional with Snoopy and Woodstock :)

A grinning tiger in a Korean hat!

An expression of the client’s spirituality against a backdrop of towering mountains and swirling clouds

Which of these minhwa tattoo examples left you feeling the most inspired? If you’d like to get a piece like this, email or DM us for an appointment! Alternatively, walk-in visits are always welcome! We hope to see you soon! :)

A norigae or fan customised just for you!

The start of summer has brought an influx of travellers into Korea. This has been so exciting for our shop, because it means we are constantly meeting clients from all over the world who want to get a tattoo as a lasting memento from their trip.

If this is something you’re also thinking of doing, here are some Korean traditional pieces we’ve done to get you inspired!

The wonderful thing about traditional Korean norigae and hand fans is that they can include any design elements that are personally meaningful to you. For example…

Your favourite flowers, plants, or animals…

Accompanying text or lettering…

Or different textures like cord, wood, or beads…

Design elements from the fantasy world like crystals and swords…

Or colours and imagery to coordinate with another piece!

As you can imagine, the sky is the limit when it comes to custom norigae and fans. The pictures above are just a few examples of the many exciting personalisations that can be made to these designs.

If you’d like a norigae or fan of your very own, get in touch to schedule an appointment or simply drop by for a walk-in! We hope to welcome you to our shop soon :)