With proper tattoo care, your tattoos will look brand new for many years. Finally getting that tattoo you’ve always wanted is exciting. Just don’t let it overwhelm your learning to taking care of tattoo properly. Give your body art that tender loving care it needs. Don’t you want your tattoos to look sharp and vibrant for years to come? Invest some time to learn the new tattoo care tips here.
What is a Tattoo?
A tattoo is a puncture wound that is made deep into the skin, filled with ink. Tattoos are made by penetrating your skin with a needle and injecting ink into the area, which usually creates some sort of design.
What makes tattoos so long-lasting is that they’re deep; the ink isn’t injected into the epidermis (the top layer of skin), but the dermis (the second, deeper layer of skin). Dermis cells are very stable, so the tattoo is practically permanent.
Your tattoo artist will know how deep to drive the needle into your skin, as not going deep enough will produce a poor tattoo, and going too deep can cause bleeding, intense pain, and scarring. You will find that complications related to tattoos will generally depend on amateur artists, do it yourself, and informal tattooers; remember that just because a tattoo shop is in business and has customers and employees, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are clean, sterile, and reputable.
I advise that you strongly consider the following tattoo aftercare tips and advice because if you don’t care for your new tattoo properly for the first two weeks, or so, you have a higher risk of infection and scarring.
Tattoo Care Instructions:
From the time that the tattoo artist finishes tattooing and till it heals completely, it is essential that you take good care of the tattoo and the area of skin around it. Also, take precautionary measures to avoid infection and tattoo swelling. Read more on tattoo care instructions.
1. Speak to Your Tattoo Artist
Before you get the tattoo done, make sure that your artist is qualified and uses hygienic tattooing instruments and needles. Immediately after getting the tattoo made, speak to your tattoo artist about caring for the new tattoo. Get all your doubts clarified, learn about all the possible complications and ask about the procedure to be followed for tattoo care.
2. Bandaging the New Tattoo
The tattoo artist will lightly bandage the tattooed area after finishing tattooing. Make sure that he does not use a plastic wrap for this purpose. Let it be on for a minimum of two hours as the bandage will protect the freshly tattooed skin from infection.
3. Cleaning the New Tattoo
Before you remove the bandage, wash, clean and dry your hands thoroughly with a good antiseptic soap or solution. It is also recommended that you keep your nails short until the tattoo heals completely. Take off the bandage carefully and wash the tattooed area gently, using a mild soap. Then, use a soft towel to gently pat or dab it until it is completely dry.
4. Moisturizing the New Tattoo
After drying the tattooed area, apply some tattoo care lotion or an antibiotic ointment to the tattooed area using your fingers. This will aid the tattoo healing process and will also prevent excessive scabs from forming on the tattooed area. It is also essential that you allow the tattoo to breathe. Expose it to air, as much as possible, until it heals well. Read more on tattoo aftercare.
As the tattoo and the skin around it starts healing, a few scabs will start forming. Do not pull or pluck out the scabs, allow it to fall off naturally. This will promote better color of the tattoo once it has healed.
Tattoo Care Tips:
- Wipe off the oozing fluid from the new tattoo to prevent the formation of dead skin cells around it.
- Avoid exposing your new tattoo to the sun for a prolonged period of time.
- Cover the tattooed area with fabric that will allow it to breathe. Avoid tight clothes and synthetic materials for the tattooed area.
- Daily showering is alright, but avoid swimming and hot tubs.
- Make sure you touch the tattooed area only after washing and drying your hands and fingers thoroughly.
- Avoid scratching or scrubbing the tattooed area until it heals completely.
- Always use scent and color free moisturizers and ointments on the tattooed area.
- In case of swelling or any kind of infection, consult a doctor for treatment without any delay.
It is essential that you follow these tattoo care tips for a few days even after healing of the tattoo. Aftercare is extremely essential to maintain the color and new look of the tattoo for years to come.