Most of what a tattoo will look like in ten years is decided in the first three weeks, and by the sun after that.
Federico works with adhesive film. You leave with it on and with instructions for how long to keep it and how to take it off. Follow those rather than advice from the internet, because they depend on the piece and where it is.
After the film: keep it clean, keep it out of soaking water, and keep it lightly moisturized with something unscented. Do not pick anything, however tempting the flaking gets. Picking a healing black and grey piece takes tone out of it, and that tone does not come back on its own.
Sun. Not the first week, all the years after it. Ultraviolet light breaks pigment down and takes contrast out of a piece permanently, and contrast is the entire content of a black and grey tattoo.
Once it is fully healed, sunscreen on it whenever it is out in strong sun. It is the cheapest thing you will ever do for a piece you sat months for.
Wait until it is completely settled, at least a month, before judging anything. Small light patches are ordinary and easy to fix. Anything on hands, fingers or feet should be expected to need it.
Follow the film instructions you are given, then keep it clean, unscented and out of soaking water. After it heals, keep it out of strong sun.
Not while it is healing at all. After that, whenever you like, with sunscreen on it. Sun is what permanently costs a black and grey piece its contrast.
Because a layer of healing skin sits over it. It comes back. Judge nothing before a month.
Light movement is fine. Soaking, saunas and pools are not until it has fully closed, and heavy sweat on a fresh piece is worth avoiding.
Requests go straight to Federico, not to an agency inbox. He answers from his own address.