Taking care of a fresh tattoo is as important as choosing a tattoo design and the artist who did the work.
A good tattoo artist should give you a detailed tattoo aftercare guide on how to care for your tattoo after it is applied to your skin.
If you want everything to heal smoothly and you do not get any complications, you must follow it strictly.
Follow your artist’s instructions
Your tattoo artist is interested in making his creation look perfect as much as he is a professional tattoo artist.
It may be your personal business how it looks, but it is his creation and his reputation in the professional sphere depends on it.
Aftercare for your tattoo: Basic Rules
While each tattoo artist may give you slightly different advice on how to care for your tattoo, there are some general rules that most tattoo artists will agree on.
- When your tattoo is finished, the tattoo artist will clean the surface using antibacterial cream. Keep the protective bandage applied by the tattooist in place for the first twenty-four hours. The bandage provides a barrier between the damaged skin and the bacteria in the air. Two hours is the very minimum you should keep your new tattoo closed. A bandage with a non-sticky, sterile covering that allows the tattoo to breathe is best for tattoo protection. But the bandage should be thick enough to protect the skin from bacteria and any mechanical damage. Some tattoo artists prefer to use plastic wrap to cover fresh tattoos because it is easy to remove without sticking to the skin. The disadvantage of plastic wrap is that it does not allow fresh air to come into contact with the skin, thus promoting the development of pathogenic bacteria. If you use a film or other airtight bandage, you will need to change it more often. The airtight bandage must be changed at least once every two hours and will need to be done continuously for the first 24 hours. The amount of time your tattoo artist will recommend you keep your new tattoo closed will depend on the size of the tattoo and the location on your body.
- Once you have removed the bandage, you can rinse the tattoo in warm water with mild antibacterial soap. Gently touch the tattoo to remove blood or leaked ink, this will prevent the skin on the tattoo from peeling off prematurely. It is strongly not recommended to rub the skin roughly with a cloth or sponge, as in addition to mechanical damage you may get an infection. Try to avoid getting tap water on the skin, especially if the jet hits too hard, as this can damage the tattoo. It is recommended that you wet your palm in water and then gently wipe the tattoo.
- After you have washed your tattoo, you can gently blot it dry with a paper towel. Do not use tissues or toilet paper that will stick to the tattoo. Then let your tattoo air dry. After your tattoo is completely dry, you can apply an ointment, such as Hustle Butter Deluxe, to heal it. Rub the cream very gently and gently into the skin and wait until it is completely absorbed. Use the cream sparingly or it will act as a plastic wrap, stimulating the development of bacteria. Do not use petroleum jelly on a fresh tattoo, it will not let air in and will clog the pores of the skin. You should wash and apply the cream to your tattoo three to six times a day. Continue to use antibacterial creams until the healing process is complete. If your tattoo is on your arms and legs, the areas most exposed to germs, you can increase the number of washes per day.
- Most tattoos take two to four weeks to heal. During this time, flaking and some peeling of the skin may occur. When this happens, do not try to exfoliate or mechanically peel them off. Don’t be tempted to brush your tattoo, as this can leave white spots on the tattoo.
- Avoid tight clothing in the tattoo area, it can rub the skin. Clothes can stick to the tattoo and get dirty with ink, which can ooze from a fresh tattoo for the first time.
- Until your tattoo is fully healed, you should avoid long bathing, and swimming pool or open body of water. Keeping your tattoo underwater for long periods can cause some excessive ink to wash out of the tattoo, and secondly, the water in pools and bodies of water can contain chemicals and pathogenic bacteria. You should also avoid baths and saunas.
- It is best to avoid direct sunlight on your tattoo for at least four weeks, after which you should always use 30 spf sunscreen to preserve the color.
Prevention
To avoid severe inflammation of the skin after a tattoo, you need to remember the rules:
- Compliance with the recommendations given by the artist of the tattoo salon.
- Daily treatment of damaged skin with wound-healing cream.
- Careful attitude to the area where the tattoo is applied. Inflamed skin is not allowed to scratch, rub.
- Keeping unhealed tattoos clean and protected from the sun.
It is also important to eat healthy food so that the body gets all the vitamins and minerals it needs.
This will have a positive effect on the regeneration process.