How to take care of a new tattoo – from the first day of being inked and to the healing process? Check out the following tips for help on how to wash, moisturize, speed up the healing process, and prevent infection.
How To Take Care Of A New Tattoo
The First Day of Getting Inked
First thing, you should follow the advice of the tattoo artist. However, do know that aftercare advice differs from one studio to another. Besides, in some cases, different ideas come from artists working in the same studio. Follow the advice of the artist that did your tattoo. They would give your some directions on how to take care of a new tattoo.
The first day is very crucial in the aftercare because it is at this time when the skin is most prone to infection. After all, the tattoo is an open wound. For this reason, you should prepare your skin before the tattoo session and take care of it.
Wash the Tattoo
Gently wash the tattoo after a few hours.
A majority of studios would advise you to leave the tattoo covering between two to five hours. After that, you should carefully remove the bandage or covering before washing the tattoo. Use mild soap and lukewarm water to do it.
NOTE: Many studios advise their clients to repeat the cleaning process between three to five times daily.
Cover with a Bandage
You should leave the bandage on as mentioned earlier before removing the dressing of the tattoo. This is how to take care of a new tattoo and make sure it is not infected.
This dressing is usually a gauze/wrap and a tape. Its main purpose is to soak up any excess ink along with blood. It will protect the skin from sunlight, bacteria and from rubbing on your clothing. However, you should not wear it for long because your new tattoo needs air.
Moisturize with a Cream
As important as washing the tattoo and covering it with a bandage is, it helps keep it moisturized. It is to prevent one of the biggest mistakes in getting a tattoo.
Keeping it moisturized is integral for the healing process, which takes anywhere between four to six weeks.
Moisturizing the tattoo can also prevent it from drying up. All you have to do is to apply a thin layer of moisturizer, but make sure it is unscented, or better it is a nappy rash cream. On the other hand, the artist might recommend something else or other tips on how to take care of a new tattoo.
The Healing Process
You should be patient with the entire recovery and healing process.
The healing time varies depending on the design’s size and your body’s speed in the healing process.
For simple and small line designs, the process could last from about a week, or a couple of months for large and complex ones.
For this reason, it is important to follow the aftercare advice of professional tattoo artists. You should also ensure that the tattoo stays moisturized and clean all the time. You should also stay away from abrasive products.
Keep It Out of Direct Sunlight
One of the most crucial tips on how to take care of a new tattoo and ensure a smooth healing process is to keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight. You should stay away from the sun, do not expose the tattooed area to it, and avoid intense sunlight at all costs. Also, remember not to apply any sun lotion until the area has fully healed.
Why should you protect the tattooed skin area from the sun? It is an open wound. For this reason, it is vulnerable to skin damage, aside from infection, at this point. Therefore, if you get a sunburn, you can suffer not only from skin fading but also from pain.
Don’t Stop Washing and Moisturizing
Keep your tattoo clean and moisturized all the time. For cleaning, you should wash it with soap and water at the frequency the tattoo artist has recommended.
But as a general rule, you should wash it more often if you’re getting dirty or working versus if you’re home sitting on your couch.
Repeat the process of washing and moisturizing for up to two weeks based on how fast the tattoo is healing.
Note: It is normal to see the skin peeling or shedding. There is nothing to worry about at all. You just have to let the skin fall naturally.
Try not to Wear Tight Clothing
Do not let tight clothing and jewelry touch the tattoo. Also, do not touch it while healing. It is prone to infection at this point because of any bacteria that can get into the open wound.
Follow these tips on how to take care of a new tattoo, take care of a new tattoo, and recover from its wound fast today!
You may also want to read on Things to Consider When Getting a Japanese Tattoo.
