Even before you have decided to get a tattoo, you probably already picked the design you want and even researched how it feels to have a tattoo done. But, this mental preparation is just one part of the process. Getting their first tattoo is often an exciting and thrilling thing to look forward to for most people. Here are some skincare tips to make sure that your skin is as ready as can be for your first (and even next) tattoo session:
Make Sure That Your Skin Is Moisturized And Hydrated
If you already have good hydration and moisturizing regimen for your skin, then things will be easier for you once you get your tattoo. The thing is, having sufficiently moisturized skin is something that tattoo artists, skincare experts, and makeup professionals will recommend for anyone thinking of getting a tattoo. Ensure that your skin is in good condition when getting a tattoo, as it plays a big role in how your skin will react to it. Also, minimize makeup during the days leading up to the big day. In fact, completely skipping makeup on the day before you get a tattoo is a great idea.
Being hydrated is necessary for keeping a healthy body, much more so when you are planning on getting inked. Hydrated skin also improves your skin’s condition a lot, as it makes your skin much more resilient. This will help the tattoo ink application process easier.
Try to use products and cleansers with natural ingredients to avoid skin irritation and keep your skin hydrated. Goat milk soap, for instance, contains caprylic acid and capric acid, which are both known for their hydrating properties. The lactic acid contained in goat milk also helps to exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. Aloe vera soap, on the other hand, only contains aloe vera extract and does not contain any other hydrating ingredients. Try to do your own research and come up with products that will work best for your skin hydration.
If you have dehydrated skin, opt for applying a moisturizer 2-3 times a day. Don’t forget to do this on the day of your tattoo session as well. If you’re looking for skincare products that will surely keep your skin moisturized, KryzUy.com is a great resource. You can click here to check the site out.
Shave And Exfoliate
Aside from moisturizing, improve the condition of your skin even more through exfoliating. Exfoliating goes hand in hand with moisturizing as it will help your skin absorb the moisturizer better. Just remember to go gentle when exfoliating, particularly when using a loofah. If you have not used a loofah before, then you can go with any gentle exfoliant.
It is also recommended that you shave the area in your skin to plan on getting inked. Although your tattoo artist will probably do this for you, you can do it yourself because no one knows your skin better than you.
However, be careful not to have even the most minor cuts or nicks from shaving. Make sure that all shaving cuts and nicks are fully healed before going to your tattoo artist. For this, make sure that you apply your favorite skin moisturizer after every shaving session. It would help if you also ditched aftershaves that contain alcohol, as this will dry out your skin.
Don’t Get Burned (or even tanned)
One of the last things you want before your tattoo session is a sunburn on the skin area that you want to be inked. Aside from the painful sensation that a sunburn brings, your appointment will probably be postponed until your skin fully develops. It’s nice if you are going for a tattoo on the arm, as wearing clothes with long sleeves will be enough to protect it from the sun. But during warm weather, when you want to wear light clothing, make sure that you apply sunscreen at least SPF-50.
Also, avoid tanning beds and laying out on a sunny beach. If it’s possible, minimize activities that will leave you with too much exposure from the sun. But if your job calls for it or if you really need to, then get UV-protective clothing on top of your SPF-50 sunscreen. It would also be wise to check weather reports to know if a particularly UV-heavy day is coming your way.
Have A Diet That Promotes Healthy Skin
While on the topic of keeping your skin in the best condition possible, the items that you consume should also be discussed. Beverages and food items can affect your skin health, and as previously mentioned, this will factor in how your skin reacts to the tattooing process. As a general rule, you should avoid food or beverages that will leave your skin dry. Most of these are items that are salty, sugary, and filled with too many refined carbs.
What you should incorporate into your diet is fish: particularly tuna, mackerel, and salmon. They have plenty of essential fatty acids (EFA) called omega-3. Nuts such as brazil nuts and almonds would do wonders. Stacking up on Vitamin-E, selenium, and other antioxidants will help a ton. You can also use this as an excuse to eat more avocado, as avocados are rich in Vitamin E and C and healthy fats.
Consuming plenty of Vitamin-C not just keeps your immune system intact but also revitalizes your skin because it promotes collagen production. Foods rich in Vitamin-C include dark, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, citrus, and more. While it’s okay to take supplements for a complete diet filled with all other vitamins and minerals, natural nutrients from fresh fruits and vegetables is a better way to healthier skin.
Skip Caffeine And Alcohol On The Day Of Your Session
Make sure not to go drinking within 48 hours before your trip to the tattoo parlor. Alcohol can actually make your blood thinner, which means more bleeding during the tattooing process. Aside from unnecessary risks, excess blood affects the ink so that your final result can become messy and might not be as accurate as to how you want it to be.
It would be best to avoid caffeine before your session and after it, while the tattoo is still healing. The healing process actually relies on your blood’s ability to clot to repair the skin affected by the inking that makes your tattoo beautiful.
Keep in mind that caffeine is also present in many other common foods and drinks, some of which you may not be aware of:
Be reminded that caffeine can also be found in other common food and drink items and not just coffee. Some of these unknown caffeine sources that most people do not know are:
- Breakfast cereals
- Frozen yogurt
- Some types of soft drinks
- Chocolate
- Tea
- Energy drinks
Getting a tattoo will always be a fun and memorable experience. People often have an emotional attachment to every design that they pick. Yes, the actual tattooing process can bring a little pain. However, the risks of getting inked have been minimized as professional artists have always strived to be masters of their craft. Plus, as shown above, taking care of your skin and making sure that you’ll have a positive experience doesn’t take much.