Tattoo Aftercare: A Guide On Proper Tattoo Care

Tattoos are an amazing way to adorn your body with your favorite custom art. However, the tattoo procedure does not finish when you leave the tattoo studio. Your aftercare routine is critical to ensuring that your new ink heals correctly and looks fantastic.

So you’ve visited, which implies you’ve either recently gotten a new tattoo or are going to. Regardless, the issue of tattoo aftercare is critical. We understand there is a lot of information out there about what you should be doing to ensure your tattoo heals correctly and keeps looking fresh.

Unfortunately, most of that information contradicts or contradicts what your artist taught you to do. When you don’t know who or what to believe, it’s not only annoying, but it may also cause serious problems with your ink.

In reality, there are now just 7 states in the United States where tattoo artists are required by law to provide their clients with aftercare guidelines issued by the public health department (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, and North Dakota). That is not to argue that all artists do not provide sound advice, but it might be perplexing.

If this describes you, you’ve come to the correct spot. We are tired of the misunderstanding and misinformation, which is why we prepared this guide for you and got it evaluated by a professional dermatologist with a passion for tattoos!

This is all you need to know about tattoo care.

Key Points

• For the first week after receiving a tattoo, it is recommended that you clean and moisturize it twice daily.
• Sunlight can fade the ink on new tattoos, so you should stay out of it.
• The healing time for a tattoo is between two weeks and a month.

How to Take Care of Your New Tattoo

Tattoo healing is a procedure that some of the most talented and informed tattoo artists share with their customers in order to maintain the tattoo colorfully and brilliantly.

Also Read: Why a Semicolon Tattoo is the Most Beautiful Tattoo

#1 Keep the tattoo covered

Wear the bandage that was originally applied to your tattoo for the first several hours, at least three. When you remove your bandage, please wash and dry your hands before doing so.

Also Read: Best Anchor Tattoo Design & Meaning

#2 Clean Your Tattoo

After removing the bandages, wash the affected area with lukewarm water and wipe it dry with fragrance-free, antibacterial soap. Do not scrape or massage that skin dry.

Also Read:  Delicate Tattoo of a Daisy and Its Unique Symbolism

#3 Apply Moisturizer

Using a moisturizer after washing your tattoo is an important step in tattoo aftercare. Keep the area wet to prevent cracking, drying out, and bleeding. Until the scabs have healed completely, apply a moisture-sealing product 2-3 times per day (every 8-10 hours).

Avoid using Vaseline or Aquaphor, or anything with petroleum jelly in the ingredients list. These things can really harm your recently purchased ink. Tattoo lotions and creams containing strong fragrances and chemicals can potentially cause skin damage and interfere with the healing process.

The tattoo may seem healed on the exterior for several weeks, but the underlying skin layers are still repairing themselves. Continue to moisturize the exterior while being cautious not to traumatize the skin. You should also avoid direct sunlight while the tattoo heals.

Checkout our list of: Top 20 Semicolon Tattoo Design Ideas

#4 Do Not Engage in Any Intensive Activities or Workouts

New tattoos are open sores that might become infected or cause serious harm. Working out can introduce germs into the region through perspiration and gym equipment. With varied workouts, you might possibly overstretch the healing skin and rip scabs. Gym and gym attire may cause rubbing and chaffing to the skin, causing further stress to the region.

Checkout our list of: 28 Awesome Brother and Sister Tattoos to Show Your Bond

#5 No Tight Clothes

Tight clothing, like gym clothing, can irritate your skin and create chaffing. This can cause scabs to fall off, lotion or gels to stay, and more pain or suffering. Scabs are necessary for healing, and wearing breathable clothing will help keep them intact.

Checkout our list of: 20 Best Surrealism Tattoos That Will Bend Your Mind

#6 Leave Your Scabs Alone

As previously said, scabbing on your tattoo is essential for its healing. A tattoo, like any other cut or scrape, is a wound that your body will try to heal on its own. And, like other open wounds, prematurely pulling or picking at a scab can create a scar. Scars on top of ink don’t generally go well together.

Checkout our list of: 7 Best Sibling Tattoo Designs For Brother and Sister!

What to Avoid

• Picking, scratching, peeling, slapping, rubbing, or irritating your tattoo is not permitted.
• You may shower, but not wet your tattoo for two weeks. There will be no swimming, soaking, or hot tub use.
• You must not expose your tattoo to the sun for at least three weeks and then wear sunblock.
• Wearing abrasive objects, jewelry, or shoes that rub on your tattoo is not recommended.
• Allow no one to touch your tattoo unless they first wash their hands.
• Be cautious with gym equipment and thoroughly clean it before using it.
• Don’t be an idiot when it comes to tattoo care.

Also Read: Surrealism Tattoos Meaning & History

Final Thought

Aftercare is essential for the proper and healthy healing of your tattoo. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your tattoo throughout the healing period, please contact your tattoo artist or dermatologist.

Even after your tattoo has healed completely, you need still to take care of it to ensure that it looks fantastic for years to come.

Share your Favourite tattoo with us in the comment section!

Checkout our list of: 10 Best Surrealism Tattoo Artists

FAQs