Applied in 60 seconds
You exfoliate, lay the design on, wet it with water and peel off the paper. The rest happens on its own: the ink darkens over the first 24 hours.
Two real clips, from the film to the finished result
Tap either one. They were filmed at home in a single take, so they last exactly as long as the real thing.
Applied on the forearm
Applied on the upper arm
Three steps, nothing complicated
Read them once before you start. Reading them takes longer than doing them.
Prep your skin
Pick a smooth, clean area. Exfoliate it for 30 seconds, then let it dry completely. The skin should feel dry to the touch when you start.
Place the design and wet it
Peel off the clear protective film and lay the design on your skin, sticky side down. Find the loose corner and pull on the edge of the paper. Press down firmly so it sits flat everywhere. Then run a layer of water over the paper, directly or with a sponge, and leave it for a minute to soak in.
Peel off the paper
After a minute, lift the paper slowly from one corner, keeping it close to the skin. At that point the design looks very faint, which is completely normal. From here on there is nothing left for you to do.
For the first 48 hours, keep the area free
While the ink is darkening, it is still fresh. If the freshly applied area stays pressed against other skin, for example your arm against your side, the design can transfer onto it. It is harmless and it washes off, but it spoils your result. Take care for two days and you avoid the surprise.
The colour darkens on its own within 24 hours
The ink does not sit on top of your skin the way a sticker does, it is absorbed by the surface layer. That is why you can barely see it in the first few hours, and why it then darkens on its own. The final shade varies a little from one skin to another.
Same skin, 24 to 48 hours apart
Before
After
Drag across the image
Pick a smooth area
Wherever the skin is fairly flat, the design sticks evenly and lasts longer.
Works very well
Forearm, upper arm, shoulder, collarbone, calf, thigh, ankle, ribs, back. It lasts longest on the forearm and the shoulder.
Needs more care
Hands and fingers get washed and rubbed dozens of times a day, so it lasts less long there. Joints that bend a lot and areas with thick hair take less well. If you still want it there, shave the area the day before and skip the cream.
First time?
Go for the forearm. You can see it all the time, it is easy to wet with one hand, and it is the most forgiving spot while you get the hang of it.
What people ask us most
Up to 15 days in normal conditions. Placement matters a lot: on the forearm or the shoulder it lasts longest, on hands and fingers it goes sooner because they get rubbed and washed so often.
Because the ink is absorbed by the surface layer of the skin and needs time to darken. The design is fully visible after 24 hours, sometimes after 48. That is exactly how it is meant to go.
Yes, it holds up to showers and soap. For the first 48 hours pat the area dry with a towel instead of rubbing it, and after that carry on as normal.
It does not hurt, because there is no needle. The ink only goes onto the outer layer of the skin. If your skin is sensitive or you know you get allergic reactions, try a small patch first. Do not apply it on irritated, scratched or freshly shaved skin.
It happens, usually because the water went on unevenly. Exfoliate the area, let it dry and try again with another design. The second time it almost always works.
Exfoliate the area or use a little oil. It fades gradually as your skin renews itself, so you can move on to another design whenever you like.
Now pick your design
We have hundreds of designs by real artists. Answer a few questions and we will show you only what suits you.