TATTOO AFTERCARE | how to look after your new tattoo

After getting a tattoo, whether it be your first time or your 30th – think about all you have gone through (mentally and physically) and remember that your newly done tattoo is in fact, an open wound and should be treated as such. Your artist can only advise you on what to do to look after it, the rest, well, that’s up to you. You are now in charge to keep it clean (to avoid any infection) and you need to take care of it to ensure it stays beautiful and lasts forever.

Here’s some of my advice how:

KEEP IT COVERED
Once we are done tattooing you, we wrap it up to keep any bacteria out of your new tattoo. It’s exciting to have a new piece and show it off, but keeping it wrapped for 2-3 hours is crucial. A fresh tattoo is, in-essence, a wound, and therefore is a breeding ground for bacteria – which could lead to infections which will destroy your tattoo.

CLEANING IT
When the 2 hours is done, remove the protective covering, and the you will need to clean it with preferably unscented soap lathered up in your hands and gently rubbed over the tattoo and surrounding area (Use the weight of your hand to do this, don’t push down to hard as the skin will be sensitive). Gently wash the soap off with luke-warm water. Wash it thoroughly but don’t soak it in water. This is to wash off any blood, ointment and plasma that may be left behind. When clean, leave to air dry. Do not dry with a towel, as there is bacteria on towels and the fibers may cause irritation to the skin (remember it is a fresh wound). Repeat this process a few times a day especially if your tattoo feels slimy.

KEEPING IT MOIST
Your tattoo is clean, now it needs to be kept moisturized so that it can heal and not crack and scab. A lot of different artists may tell you to use various things, i personally love the product Flash Heal, it has all natural properties, is vegan and at the same time creates a barrier to prevent the tattoo while still allowing it to breathe.

Apply the cream three to four times a day to ensure your tattoo is well moisturized and so it heals with no scabbing. You will notice that it will peel slightly, just a sunburn does after a few days. This is perfectly normal, it happens because your body is generating a fresh layer of skin.

Bathing, Showering and Swimming
Yes, you can and should, shower with a new tattoo. It’s fine to get your tattoo wet just don’t soak it. Soaking your tattoo in a bath can cause serious damage, so you’ll want to avoid that for 3-4 weeks (just to be safe). If you get shampoo on your tattoo, just wash it away quickly with water. Swimming whether it is in a pool, fresh water or salt water, should be avoided until your tattoo is fully healed.

SCABBING AND PEELING
After a couple of days your tattoo will start to peel a bit. This is perfectly normal. Sometimes a slight scab will form, if it does scab, apply a warm moist and clean cloth to it for a few minutes a couple of times a day. It will soften up and eventually fall off. Do not pick at it, as this will cause it to scar. You will also start to itch slightly, this is completely normal as it is healing, but do not scratch your tattoo. It will cause it to heal badly. rather gently pat it.

SUN PROTECTION.
Once your tattoo has healed you are still going to need to take care of it. The sun is not your friend and is actually the biggest cause of fading and cause of your tattoo to look dull. If you are going into the sun remember to wear protection! Apply it liberally and as often as necessary, the more the merrier. This will help maintain vibrant colors and your tattoo will look amazing for years to come. Often sun damage will cause black ink to appear a blue/purple, and cause colors to look washed out – and we don’t want that.

Remember – your artist can only advise you on what to do to look after it, the rest, is up to you.

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