It is also a type of wound. Tattoo machines use a fast-moving needle to inject ink deep into the skin. Just as proper care ensures that a painting can hang in a gallery undamaged for years, tattoo aftercare is an important part of preserving a tattoo. This guide will provide detailed instructions on how to care for a new tattoo and tips for keeping tattooed skin looking young and healthy. Proper aftercare in the first few weeks after getting a tattoo can help prevent an infection and keep the tattoo looking good.
Tattoo aftercare starts in the tattoo shop. Once the tattoo is done, the artist will apply a thin layer of tattoo jelly or moisturizer over the entire tattooed area. They will then cover the area completely with plastic wrap or a bandage. As tempting as it can be to remove the protective cover to look at the tattoo, the bandage or plastic wrap should stay on for at least a few hours after the process. The length of time will depend on the size and location of the tattoo.
After thorough hand-washing, a person can gently wash the tattoo with hypoallergenic soap and warm water using their fingers. The moisturizer on the skin will come off, and the tattoo may appear as if it is oozing ink or a thick, sticky substance. This reaction is not usually a cause for concern, as it is just the excess fluid and ink from the tattoo process.
After washing, a person should pat the skin with a clean paper towel and allow it to air-dry for up to an hour. When the area is completely dry, they can apply a thin layer of moisturizer to the tattoo, but leave it uncovered to allow the skin to breathe. Some tattoo artists recommend waiting between hours before applying moisturizer, though others recommend doing so as soon as the first wash.
For the first couple of days, the tattooed skin may feel warm to the touch and have a reddish appearance. The colors may also appear very bright against the rest of the skin. The tattoo will become less vibrant as the healing process continues. A person should avoid submerging the tattoo in water or getting the tattoo wet during the first 3—6 weeks, except for when washing it.
A person can continue using the washing technique above throughout the first week when needed. Someone who is sitting in an air-conditioned office all day may only need to wash the tattoo once a day. However, someone who is working in a hot or dirty environment and sweating may need to wash the tattoo every few hours.
It is best to wash the tattoo with clean fingers only and not a cloth or towel, which may irritate the skin and prematurely remove any scabs that may have formed. Scabs will often form in the first few days, and ink may still come up through the skin and need to be washed away. It is important not to pick the scabs or scratch the skin. In general, Scabbing is not a sign of improper wound care. Scabs will form anytime the skin is injured, and can be a sign of healthy tissue forming underneath the wound.
Keeping some form of antibiotic ointment or moisturizer under occlusion as long as there is no known allergy on the wound can help it heal better and the sooner this is done the better healing will happen with less chances of scarring. Around the beginning of the second week, the scabs will start to flake off. It is important to be especially gentle with washing and moisturizing during this week, as it is easy to tear away scabs and damage the tattoo.
The skin is likely to feel very itchy during this week. However, it must not be scratched. Learn how to care for your tattoo, what to expect in the first month, the signs of infection….
Between deciding where you want it, finding your artist, and practicing good aftercare, a lot goes into getting a tattoo. Here's what to expect. How much pain you'll feel while getting a tattoo depends on several factors, including where on the body you plan to get the tattoo.
Areas with lots…. Heres what you can…. Coconut oil…. Every tattoo heals slightly differently depending on the person and the tattoo's location. But all tattoos heal in four stages. After getting a new tattoo, the outer layer of skin will typically appear healed within 2 to 3 weeks. However, the healing process can take upward of….
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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Breast Cancer. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Possible benefits Risks and side effects Vs. Now, let me just make this clear, not all baby lotions automatically qualify for tattoo aftercare use. You still need to make sure it has none of the usual suspects — irritants and allergens — that can adversely affect your healing tattoo. And that reason is enough to give Aveeno an edge in this category.
Here are our favourite non-lotion products you can use on your tattoos:. Coconut King Aftercare Balm — you can read our review here. Hustle Butter Deluxe — you can read our review here. Butter Up Tattoo Aftercare — you can read our review here. Coconuts have been around forever! And long before lotions were formulated, our ancestors have been using coconut oil to moisturise their skins. Some tattooists, however, suggest using coconut oil only after the tattoo has fully healed.
This is why petroleum jelly like Vaseline is a big no-no on new tattoos. However, your tattoo is more than just a minor wound.
This is because Vaseline is highly occlusive and will totally block out oxygen from entering your skin, which leads to delayed healing, and worse, infections. In fact, even without tattoos, dermatologists will advise you to moisturise and hydrate your skin. With tattoos on, moisturising becomes even more of a necessity! As for what kind of lotion to use on old tattoos, any kind will do.
So, it can be your favourite special tattoo lotion, or your regular moisturising lotion, or even baby lotion. Or, if scented lotions are your thing, go for it! Once you get inked, you need to start taking good care of your skin. Otherwise, your tattoo is going to suffer after a while.
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