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Tattoo AfterCare
A tattoo is a personal and permanent work of art.
It is also a type of wound, as a tattoo gun uses a fast-moving needle to inject ink into the skin.
Just as proper care ensures that a painting can hang in a gallery undamaged for years, tattoo aftercare is an important part of preserving a tattoo.
Tattoo aftercare can be confusing, especially if it is a person's first tattoo.
This guide will provide detailed instructions on how to care for a new tattoo and
tips for keeping tattooed skin looking young and healthy.
The initial bandage
Tattoo aftercare starts at the shop. Once the tattoo is done, the artist will apply a thin layer of tattoo moisturizer over the tattooed area.
They will then cover the area with plastic wrap or a bandage.
As tempting as it can be to remove the protective cover to look at the tattoo, the bandage or plastic wrap should stay on for at least a few hours after the process. The length of time will depend on the size and location of the tattoo.
This covering protects the open skin from bacteria, and from rubbing against clothing.
The First Wash
After usually no less than 5 hours,
it is safe to remove the bandage and wash the tattoo.
After thorough hand-washing, You can gently wash the tattoo with hypoallergenic soap and warm water using your fingers.
The moisturizer on the skin will come off, and the tattoo may appear as if it is oozing ink or a thick, sticky substance. This reaction is not a cause for concern, as it is just the excess fluid and ink from the tattoo process.
After washing, You should pat the skin with a clean paper towel and allow it to air-dry for up to an hour. When the area is completely dry, You can apply a thin layer of moisturizer to the tattoo, but leave it uncovered to allow the skin to breathe.
Week One
For the first couple of days, the tattooed skin may feel warm to the touch and have a reddish appearance. The colors may also appear very bright against the rest of the skin. The tattoo will become less vibrant as the healing process continues.
You should avoid submerging the tattoo in water or getting the tattoo wet during the first 3–6 weeks, except for when washing it.
You can continue using the washing technique above throughout the first week when needed. How often washing is necessary will vary depending on a person's activity levels and environment.
Someone who is sitting in an air-conditioned office all day may only need to wash the tattoo once a day. But someone who is working in a hot or dirty environment and sweating may need to wash the tattoo every few hours.
It is best to wash the tattoo with clean fingers only and not a cloth or towel, which may irritate the skin and prematurely remove any scabs that may have formed.
Scabs will often form in the first few days, and ink may still come up through the skin and need to be washed away. It is important not to pick the scabs or scratch the skin.
Any redness or mild swelling usually goes away near the end of the first week.
Week Two
Around the beginning of the second week, the scabs will start to flake off.
It is important to be especially gentle with washing and moisturizing during this week, as it is easy to tear away scabs and damage the tattoo.
The skin is likely to feel very itchy during this week, but it must not be scratched. Additional moisturizer may help relieve the itch. Using a moisturizer that is kept in refrigerator may also soothe itchy or irritated skin.
If necessary, an over-the-counter product, such as Benadryl, may be taken by mouth to help relieve the itching.
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