If you have recently had a new tattoo aftercare should be of top priority for you now. With the proper care, you’re guaranteed to get an even and vibrant design instead of distorted and faded. However, a perfect picture isn’t the only reason why you should care for your tattoo. Neglecting aftercare may cause such issues as infections and scarring. If you don’t want that to happen, follow out step-by-step guide.
Why Tattoo Aftercare Is So Important
Source: Djordje Petrovic/pexels
If you still think that knowing how to care for a tattoo isn’t important, here’s what we have to say. It’s not just important, it’s vital. Like any other medical invasion, it requires proper care not only to get a perfect image but also to avoid infections and scars.
How To Care For Your Tattoo
So, here are some general rules on how to take care of a tattoo. First, you shouldn’t postpone it. Once the tattoo is done, you should start to care for it. After the procedure, the tattoo will be covered in petroleum ointment and shielded with plastic wrap or bandage, which you should leave on for several hours. Then, you can take it off and wash your tattoo with water and unscented soap. Don’t forget that your hands should be clean too. Using patting motions, dry your skin with a soft cloth. It’s not necessary to put on the bandage again. You want your skin to breathe.
During tattoo healing, don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun with clothes not sunblock when you’re outdoors. If anything bothers you concerning your tattoo, don’t hesitate to call the doctor or tattoo artist. Of course, you can’t pick at it or scratch it. Also, you should waive going swimming and wearing clothes that are too tight over it.
Once finished, your tattoo artist will cover the tattoo with a bandage. What you might want to know is, should I keep my tattoo covered? And how long should I keep my tattoo covered if yes? You should not remove the bandage for a couple of hours after the procedure. Once you take it off, you will need to clean the tattoo and leave to air dry. You should cover your tattoo again only before bed-time during the first three days.
To ensure that your tattoo heals fast and successfully, you need to apply a lotion to it regularly. But, when should you start using lotion on a new tattoo? Once you notice that your tattoo has begun to dry out, you need to moisturize it with a lotion. Usually, it takes from one to three days for a new tattoos for men to start to dry out.
Many tattooed men wonder, can I use Vaseline on my tattoo? You can, of course, but you’d better not. The thing is Vaseline does not allow your skin to breathe, which is essential for a tattoo to heal. Besides, it can create an air pocket above your tattoo with an enabling environment for the development of bacteria and germs. Moreover, petroleum jelly can clash with the ink, thus causing its patchiness and fading.
Day By Day Caring
Source: Kevin Bidwell/pexels
Moreover, the way of how to care for a new tattoo depends on its complexity and size. The bigger and the more elaborate your tattoo is, the more care it requires. To keep it in check, follow our day-by-day tattoo aftercare instructions.
Day 1
On the same day you have your tattoo done, find out from your tattoo artist how soon you can remove the bandage. After removal, your tattoo will ooze excess ink, plasma and blood. It may sore and look red. You should wash your tattoo area with odorless soap and lukewarm water. Then, cover it with a petroleum ointment and leave to heal without the bandage.
Days 2 And 3
Source: Matheus Ferrero/pexels
You may notice that your tattoo looks blurry and dull. This is because of your pelt’s healing. After a while, the process of tattoo scabbing will also begin. Your task here is to wash it a couple of times daily and moisturize with a non-alcohol and odorless hydrating cream. In case there’s some ink in the sink when you wash your tattoo, you don’t have to worry. Extra ink has to clear out of your skin.
Days 4 To 6
Now, the tattoo shouldn’t be so red anymore. However, scabs will still be present, so take care not to pick at them. Just continue the same tattoo aftercare routine – washing and moisturizing.
Days 6 To 14
Source: Brett Sayles/pexels
Almost a week later, you may detect tattoo peeling. The scabs now feel hard and they’re ready to come off. However, don’t help them. You don’t want to get scars and blank spots. If the tattoo itches, moisturize it more often. In case you spot redness and swelling, it may be high time to visit a doctor or your tattoo artist, as there is a risk of infection.
Days 15 To 30
So, you’re at the finish line. After peeling tattoo shouldn’t have many or even any scabs. A 2 week tattoo may appear dull and a bit dry, so you just need to hit on hydration more. The outer skin layers will heal during week 3 while the lower ones will require up to four months. You’ll be able to see the final result only three months after you’ve had the tattoo done, so be patient.
Aftercare Products
Our tattoo care instructions wouldn’t be complete without the best tattoo aftercare products. First and foremost, you’ll need to stock up on an ointment that has the petroleum base, such as the Aquaphor lotion. It’s aimed at helping your tattoo to heal faster. However, to succeed in tattoo aftercare Aquaphor isn’t the only product to add to your kit.
Dove Beauty Bar Soap
BUY on Amazon
No matter whether it’s your first tattoo or nth, the Dove Beauty Bar Soap will definitely come in handy. Its formula is fragrance-free and non-allergenic, so it’s perfect for both sensitive skin and damaged after the punctures of tattoo needles.
Liquid Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Formula
BUY on Amazon
In addition to the best lotion for tattoo, you need to get the best cleanser. Although the Liquid Neutrogena is meant for your face more than other parts of the body, it’s so gentle and tolerant to sensitive skin that you’re welcome to use it to clean the tattoo area too.
Lubriderm Daily Moisture Hydrating Body and Hand Lotion
BUY on Amazon
If you’re seeking the lotion for tattoos that has a non-sticky formula and will make your skin appear healthier, then take a closer look at the Lubriderm Hydrating Body and Hand Lotion. It’s unscented and infused with vitamin B5 to provide your skin with 24-hour hydration.
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
BUY on Amazon
With the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion, you’ll forget about dry and irritated skin, as it’s able to instantly improve the condition of your pelt, sooth it, moisturize, nourish and protect. It has all the chances to become the best tattoo aftercare lotion.
Curel Fragrance Free Lotion
BUY on Amazon
The Curel Fragrance Free Lotion is a perfect option for your new tattoo. It moisturizes your skin and restores its natural barrier. The formula isn’t greasy or irritating while it absorbs really fast. It works amazingly as a tattoo lotion because thanks to the Advanced Ceramide Complex, your skin will have less dryness and damage.
Eucerin Intensive Repair Very Dry Skin Lotion
BUY on Amazon
The Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion can pass for a tattoo cream with ease. It not only moisturizes your skin but also exfoliates dead cells and conditions thirsty skin. Also, it prompts the healing of damaged skin, which is highly beneficial for your tattoo.
Can You Care For The Tattoo With Coconut Oil?
If you’ve heard that the Polynesians employ coconut oil for their new tattoo care, it’s only partially true. They use it to enhance the sheen not to heal the wound. Although there’s a common thought that coconut oil hydrates the skin beneath the tattoo and prevents infection from occuring, it’s not proven. So, it’s always better to consult a doctor first.
What Pitfalls Should I Expect?
No matter how thorough you follow our tattoo after care instructions, you still may face some issues. As saying goes, forewarned is forearmed. So, here are the potential complications you might experience and how to deal with them.
If the idea of not applying the lotion seems tempting for you, then we feel obliged to warn you what happens if you don’t moisturize your tattoo. First, your skin will become overly dry and start to break and crack. Then, it will peel and become itchy. Hence, it is very likely that you will want to pull the skin off and scratch, thus risking to destroy the tattoo.
Infection
Source: rawpixel.com/pexels
Even with thorough tattoo care, there’s a risk of infection, let alone when you neglect it. Besides, the tools that weren’t sterilized properly can become the source of infection. Should you notice symptoms of contamination, don’t delay a visit to a doctor.
Allergic Reaction
Your after tattoo care is exemplary but you still face skin itch and redness? Maybe, it’s your individual reaction to the bright tattoo dyes? To ensure that your skin isn’t allergic to the tattoo ink, taking a sensitivity test before getting a tattoo is always a good idea.
Scarring
If you pick at the scabs, you’re most likely to get scars. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. However, scars often appear as a result of the needle damage. But, this fully depends on the skillfulness of your tattoo artist and the quality of equipment. So, choose the salon wisely.
What Should I Do Over The Long Term?
Source: Kevin Bidwell/pexels
You want your tattoo to please you for a long time, don’t you? To keep it bright and clear like right after the healing, you need to follow some simple yet essential rules:
-
- Employ mild fragrance-free soap for an everyday wash of your skin to ensure it’s clean.
- Maintain the water balance.
- Protect your tattoo from the sun with SPF clothing.
- Don’t wear fabrics that can scratch your tattoo.
- Keep weight changes at minimum to prevent the tattoo from distortion.
What To Avoid After Getting A Tattoo?
Once you get your tattoo done, you need to take care not to mess it up. Thus, you should avoid the following:
- Ignore the advice of your tattoo artist.
- Take off the bandage less than two hours after the procedure.
- Neglect moisturizing.
- Allow the tattoo to get dirty.
- Expose the tattoo to direct sunlight.
- Scratch or pick up the scabs.
- Miss the retouch sessions.
With the proper tattoo aftercare, you shouldn’t worry that you will have any complications or side effects with the design. However, for the best result, you’ll need to take care of your tattoo forever, not only after you’ve just had it done. Hopefully, our step-by-step guide answered all of your questions, and now your tattoo will become a real piece of art.
SOURCES:
* Top Health News: Technology, Mental Health and More
* The latest beauty tips, product reviews, makeup trends and hair inspiration
* Get ink-spired as you browse through these tattoo galleries and discover the meaning behind popular iconography.
Was this article helpful?
