Reality TV star and content creator, Jojo Robinson, renowned for her candidness, has taken to social media to discuss not just the art adorning her body, but the journey it has taken to get there.
Over eight years, Robinson has invested between R200 000 to R 300 000 - or possibly more - in her tattoos, each one representing a significant chapter of her life.
“It's taken about eight years of being tattooed to get to this point. Does it hurt? Yes. People who tell me it doesn't hurt are usually the ones with an outline,” she stated, revealing the real and raw pains of the tattoo experience.
“Anything over a 3-hour session is horrible. It does not get better; it gets worse the longer you sit. And healing is rough. Blackout areas? Yoh, prepare yourself. Nothing can actually prepare you.”
Robinson's artistry is not just for show; it also draws a spectrum of attention from admirers and critics alike.
"Do people stare? Yes. I don't mind generally. But the Karens come for you with the dirty looks," she shared, dismissing any regrets about her ink and declaring her love for the art permanent on her skin. “Do you regret any? No. Not at all. I love my art.”
Tattoo culture, once shrouded in stigma, has evolved significantly. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, tattoos were unfairly linked with criminality, often marking the bodies of sailors, prisoners, and circus performers.
According to Colibri Tattoo and Piercing, this negative association contributed to a long-standing reluctance to embrace tattoo artistry in mainstream society.
However, times have changed. Today, many are not deterred by the ink—some even find themselves addicted. Birches Health notes that the allure of tattoos can stem from the dopamine rush experienced during the tattooing process, evoking feelings akin to those of adrenaline seekers indulging in extreme sports.
"They can be addicting due to the dopamine levels released during the tattoo process," the site explains, shedding light on the psychological complexities behind such a compelling form of self-expression.
For Robinson, her ink odyssey is far from over. “Will I get more? Yes. I will also need to start touching up old ones as we go. FYI, tattoos cover all the gross things time will bring to us all. So you're either going to be arty and old or just old; it's a matter of preference,” she said.
With plans for future ink designs, Robinson continues her voyage into the world of body art, embracing both the beauty and challenges that accompany this empowering form of personal expression.