Tattoo Aftercare Tips for Keeping Your Tattoo Looking Its Best
The choice to get a tattoo is not one to make lightly. While it’s all good and well to get a tattoo on a whim — they are for life. Yes, you can get laser tattoo removal, but the reality is that not everyone can afford it. Tattoos themselves aren’t exactly cheap, either.
When you get a tattoo, you’re choosing to adorn your skin with a form of art. Not only this but a tattoo is also viewed as a medical procedure because it involves needles that puncture the skin.
This is why tattoo aftercare is so important. Read on to learn more about how to keep your tattoo in mint condition.
1. Keep It Covered
Sure, the point of a tattoo is to show it off (depending on the location). But in the beginning, you actually need to keep it covered up to aid in the healing process.
Any reputable tattoo and piercing business will tell you the same thing — you’ll need to apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment, daily. Then cover this up with a bandage or a thin layer of plastic wrap. It’s important to keep your tattoo covered and protected from bacteria for at least the first 24 hours.
2. Try to Keep It Clean
Even if it’s still an ”open wound” you need to gently clean your tattoo. Whether you choose to use plastic wrap or a bandage, moisture, blood, and excess ink get trapped under the covering. After a few hours, your tattoo artist will tell you to remove the covering and gently wash the skin clean.
Don’t use fragranced soaps or body washes, just warm water, and a gentle cloth will do. Let your tattoo air dry completely, apply your ointment and cover it up again.
3. Avoid Sun Exposure and Abrasion
If you have a tattoo on a sun-vulnerable region of your body, such as your hands, arms, legs, shoulders, or neck it’s important to avoid sun exposure for the first few days. Don’t be tempted to cover your tattoo in sunblock and head out into the sun until it’s fully healed.
The same goes for wearing tight and abrasive clothing. Give your tattoo the chance it needs to heal without chaffing and irritation. Try to wear loose-fitting clothing for the first few days so your skin heals well.
4. Don’t Scratch or Pick at Your Tattoo
Most of the time, your tattoo artist will recommend that you keep your tattoo moisturized while the skin heals. This is to avoid skin irritation, itching, and scratching. As the skin begins to scab over, it will become itchy. But if you keep it moisturized and protected you can avoid uncomfortable itching and the urge to scratch or pick at it.
A great product that helps with skin healing is the Aquaphor Healing Ointment or A+D Original Ointment. Try to avoid petroleum-based products, such as Vaseline, as they cause tattoo ink to fade.
For a good moisturizer, you might want to opt for Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion for Dry Skin or the Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion.
Make Tattoo Aftercare a Top Priority
Tattoo aftercare is absolutely integral to how it heals and the end product, i.e. how your tattoo looks. If you want to avoid unnecessary itching, scratching, and general discomfort, these steps are also super important for that!
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