Getting inked is the new millennials’ right of passage. Almost every other person today has a tattoo. The first ink is always special. The rush of emotion of getting something permanent on yourself is a surreal experience. Post the excitement of getting a tattoo, comes the apprehension.
Though getting a tattoo might be the final step on your mind, it is far from that. Post-tattoo comes with the healing process and you need to know how to take care of tattoo ink properly. The last thing you would want is to get an infection after the long process of getting the artwork inked onto your body.
Post-Tattoo Care
Post tattoo care can be simple, given you follow the instructions your tattooist has given you meticulously. A fresh tattoo can be kept clean and sharp if taken care of. The reduced scarring pops the tattoo, making it prominent. Here are some tips on caring for your new tattoo:
Listen to Your Tattoo Artist
This is the first and ultimate tip to help your tattoo and care for it. Your artist knows what they are doing, they are professional for a reason. Therefore, following their aftercare advice is a must. Not only will it help in avoiding infection, but also quicken your healing process.
Wash the Tattoo After a Few Hours
Right after the inking, the artist usually covers the tattoo with cling film to avoid dust, etc falling on it. Post-inking, after approximately 3-5 hours, gently pour lukewarm water over the tattoo to remove the bleeding ink or any other impurity. In addition to keeping the tattoo clean, it helps in the next process. Do not rub the tattoo at any cost.
Apply Moisturizer Cream or Antiseptic Cream
A tattoo is a wound that heals and with the ink inside the skin, pops up. Post-washing, apply thin layers of moisturizing or antiseptic cream twice a day on the tattoo. Make sure to run it with your tattooist. Just in case they have a different store tie-up.
Keeping The Tattoo Clean
Most of the time the excess ink bleeds from the tattoo. This emerges from the need to wash it off. Stay away from water. Though showers are okay if the tattoos are in very exposed areas. Try not to let the new tattoo get wet to avoid it going paler.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Exposure to direct sunlight often causes tattoos to go lighter in shade. Colored tattoos fade in the sun very easily, so make sure you apply sunscreen on the tattoo regularly. Additionally, try keeping the area covered while out in the sun for the first few weeks.
Patience Is The Key To A Good Tattoo
Healing depends on the body to body- some heal fast, some don’t. Healing also depends on what tattoo you have gotten. Like minimalist and line tattoos take something between a few weeks to heal. Unless you need touch ups- which will take another few weeks to heal again. Complex and intricate tattoos can take more than a month. Make sure to regularly apply your antiseptic cream, stay away from the sun, and avoid abrasive skin products.
No Scratching
While your tattoo starts to dry up, it will start flaking. That causes an intense urge to peel off the skin, Never, ever, do that. The tattoo might fade out completely or parts of the tattoo fade off. Gently tap for a few minutes on the area of the itch. It anyway lasts for a few seconds.
The most important step after you get your tattoo is the tattoo aftercare guide given by your tattoo artist. Swimming, waxing, sweaty workouts, and shaving should be avoided for at least 3-4 weeks. In addition, to help heal quickly, it doesn’t fade out your tattoo.
This, again, entirely depends on the tattoo. Small minimalist tattoos and line tattoos do not need a lot of time to heal. Full-sleeve tattoos, tattoos that are made on the ribs require a much longer time. You need to provide that time for the long-term look of your tattoo.
What Happens When Tattoos heal?
A tattoo is a wound. Therefore, you need to treat a healing one as an open wound. The course of healing includes scabbing and flaking. Do not try to rip the dry skin from your tattoo. It might cause an infection. Ideally, the redness goes away in a few hours post-tattooing.
However, if the tattoo blisters or reddens, it is better to consult the tattoo artist. Early detection helps prevent deadly infections. Blood poisoning is more common than you think. So make sure that the tattoo parlor you are going to is an acclaimed one. And that your artist is using a fresh and new needle for your tattoo.
Why Coconut Oil?
A lot of people who get tattoos have used coconut oil during their healing process. Now something that we use on hair and cooking, might cause some concern while using it on open wounds. Coconut oil, also called Lauric Acid, has antimicrobial properties. This is why we can use it to kill harmful bacteria and reduce swelling. It is also a reason why it is commonly used as a makeup remover.
Coconut oil is natural and has no irritants like chemicals, making it safe to include in your healing process. It locks in the moisture of your skin, reducing flakiness, and is also healthy for the skin. So unless you have a severe allergy to coconut oil, it is good to go!
A&D Ointments
So you got a tattoo, and you want to give it a little extra care. In comes the A&D ointments. You can purchase A&D Ointment online or from drugstores. With Vitamin A and Vitamin D based, these ointments are excellent for tattoo aftercare.
Conclusion:
Getting the tattoo you’ve been looking for is a thrilling experience. However, not taking proper care of that will soon turn that excitement into a nightmare. With many people ending up at the ER due to poor hygiene practices, make sure you are not one of them. With just a minor care guide, you can make sure your tattoo looks popping for a long, long time.
you need to treat a healing one as an open wound. The course of healing includes scabbing and flaking. Do not try to rip the dry skin from your tattoo.