How to Look After Your New Tattoo

You finally got the tattoo you have been saving for. You braced yourself through the pain and emerged from the tattoo artist’s chair with a beautiful masterpiece on your body. Now you need to take care of the artwork to ensure it lasts and prevent infections and scarring. Tattoo skin care happens before, during, and after getting inked.

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Image by Felix from Pixabay

Before

Sufficient moisture is the key when prepping your skin before getting tattooed, and this should be for at least three days before getting inked. Products like Vaseline Jelly can help lock in moisture and keep your skin supple. Since tattooing is about needles puncturing the skin, dry skin can affect how it looks and ages. Something less painful is using an online casino to place your bets live, watching a YouTube vid, or checking out the latest news as the artist does his or her work on your body unless, of course, you have fainted at the first ping of the needles.

Some countries have implemented safety measures in the tattooing and piercing industry. But it’s at the discretion of the tattoo artist as to what information they make available to you. Therefore it’s up to you to make sure you consult your dermatologist before getting your tattoo done to check that you have no underlying issues or allergic reactions. Tattoos are permanent, so you want to be sure you are not stuck with scarred tissue or infection once you have done your tattoo.

Aftercare Basics

  • Keep it covered

When you leave the tattoo parlor, your new tattoo will typically be covered with a thin bandage to absorb any fluid and prevent chafing. Keep the covering on for the specified time, resist the urge to remove the dressing, and show it off to people.

  • Please keep it clean.

Once the time is over, wash the tattooed area with warm water and fragrance-free soap and pat dry the area. Don t rub or scratch; this will cause bleeding and unnecessary pain. You can apply scent-free, alcohol-free moisturizer to prevent it from drying.

  • Protect it

If you are going out in the sun, wear protective clothing, as direct sunlight in the early days ca n cause fading and itching.

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Image by Annie Spratt from Pixabay

As your tattoo heals, you will notice it gets scabby, drier, and itchy, which is very irritating. Whatever you do, though, do not scratch. Instead, rub in a small amount of moisturizer to reduce the itching, and never scratch your tattoo, old or new, as this affects its aging and can cause inflammation.

Aftercare Products

Some tattoo artists will recommend tattoo-specific cleansers for the first few weeks of healing, but if they don’t, look for pH-balanced, fragrance-free, and alcohol-free cleansers or soaps. When it comes to moisturizing, there are a lot of arguments and debates. Again it’s best to ask the tattoo artist, but if that’s not possible, try these.

  • Aquaphor healing ointment is a favorite for preserving the color and keeping your skin hydrated.
  • Vaseline is contentious; some say it affects the ink quality of the tattoo, while others say Vaseline jelly is excellent if you have dry skin. You can apply it before showering to help your tattoo stay dry.
  • Polynesian people use coconut oil on their tattoos to keep the skin soft, hydrated, and shiny.

Final Words

Whichever products you choose, remember to keep them clean, moisturized, and covered, and you will have a beautiful piece of artwork for a long time. If you notice any color fading within the first six weeks, you should return to your tattoo artist for a touch-up.