If you are looking for a good reason to get yourself a tattoo this year, here it is!

In many parts of the globe, tattoos were used before as cultural symbols to distinguish rank, spirituality or art. Today, in every part of the globe, people usually get tattoos as a form of self-expression, as each tattoo they get unfolds a story, aside from just being a decoration. But, aside from that, tattoos have another good benefits to us — to help people heal and recover. Hence, a good way to help yourself take care of your mental health.

According to Socialist Health Association (SHA), getting a tattoo can be “a process that reinvigorates and improves one’s mental health and quality of life.”

“Getting a tattoo can be a revitalizing process. Many people ink these creations to their bodies to commemorate life events, whether it be the end of something or a beginning.” SHA explained. “You will often hear people who are coming out of a bad relationship talk about getting a tattoo and people will often mutter about how getting a tattoo was part of someone’s midlife crisis.”

SHA also claimed that those who suffer from mental health issues, getting a tattoo is actually a good thing because the process of caring for a new tattoo doesn’t just allow a person to take care of the ink on their skin, but it also enables them the ability to take care of themselves.

“Looking after a new tattoo requires bathing in a specific way, exposing the skin to fresh air, putting lotion on your skin,” the Association said.

“These are all things that those suffering from depression and anxiety often forget to allow them in their times of need. By taking care of the tattoo, they can improve their mental state and practice all important self-care,” they added.

Tattoo artists claimed during the interview with University of Southern California (USC) Psychologists in “Ink Shrinks”; a reality show that helps unsettled clients heal and find closure, that people getting tattoos who are dealing with unresolved issues isn’t necessarily a new concept.

“Clients come in, sit with us, tell us their problems and we’re able to give a spin on it that will help them or give some advice or a sympathetic ear,” tattoo artist Sarah Miller said.

“When I was approached by this idea to audition for Ink Shrinks, I didn’t think it was that far of a transition from actual tattooing. I thought it would be really interesting to showcase a more positive and amazing side to tattooing because it is healing people who have problems; it really helps them,” Miller added.

You will never know unless you try

If this is the first time you’re getting a tattoo, and as someone who had gone through it, there’s no sugarcoating — the pain is real.

You will feel the needle puncture your skin spontaneously — you will feel the ink being sucked down into it.

Most likely, your tattoo will gradually heal over four to six weeks. However, the deeper layers of your skin have a slower capacity to heal that will last throughout the next couple of month. Although this timeline will depend on the style, size and artist’s way of tattooing.

In an article written by Dr. Jennifer T. Haley, M.D., FAAD, there are three stages of tattoo healing process:

1. Stage One (Days 1-6)– Oozing, swelling and redness that gradually improves each day. Scabbing begins to form over the area.
2. Stage Two (Days 7-14)– Itching and flaking begins, and this continues until all layers of dead skin and scabs have fallen away.
3. Stage Three (Days 15-30)– Tattoo looks fully healed but may appear slightly cloudy for a few weeks. Deeper layers of skin are still repairing, so continue to carefully look after your tattoo.

Tattoos are becoming way more and more popular in society. These inked art pieces are helping to end the stigma regarding mental illness and allowing many who are living through struggles to improve their quality of life. So, if you are ever thinking about getting a tattoo to remind you of how far you’ve come with your anxiety or the depression that you suffered for a while now — give it a shot!

It may really take a long time for a tattoo to heal, but always know that just like your pain and depression, this, too, will heal.  So make sure that you are fully decided before getting one for it to be worth it at the end.