Your new tattoo is not only a work of art, but also a medical procedure. Fortunately, caring for your new tattoo is simple, and you may already have the skincare products you'll need to heal your tattoo beautifully. To make sure your tattoo heals properly and stays vibrant over time, you'll need to keep it clean, moisturized, and out of direct sunlight. This Dynamic Ink guide will teach you everything you need to know about tattoo aftercare, including helpful healing tips, choosing the right aftercare products, and keeping your tattoo looking great long-term.
Things You Should Know
After unwrapping your new tattoo, clean the area with lukewarm water and unscented antibacterial soap, and allow it to air-dry.
Apply an unscented moisturizer 2 to 3 times per day for the first two weeks or longer as recommended by your tattoo artist.
To prevent fading over time, drink plenty of water, continue moisturizing your skin, and protect your tattoo from direct sunlight.
The First Day
Leave the covering on for 2-3 hours or as directed by your tattoo artist. Once your tattoo is complete, your tattoo artist will clean the area, apply an antibacterial ointment, and cover the tattoo with a bandage or plastic. Resist the temptation to uncover your tattoo right away, as it is there to protect your tattoo from dirt and bacteria.
Since different tattoo artists have different methods of wrapping new tattoos, ask your tattoo artist when they recommend removing the bandage. Some artists may not wrap the tattoo at all, depending on the products and technique they use.
If you leave the bandage on longer than the artist suggests, you are more prone to infection and the ink may bleed.
Wash your hands before carefully removing the bandage.Having clean hands will help prevent infection.
To remove the bandage more easily, you can apply warm water to it to prevent the bandage from sticking to your skin.
Pull the bandage off slowly and carefully so you don't damage your new tattoo.
Wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap. Instead of submerging your tattoo, cup your hands together and scoop lukewarm water over it. Use a mild, hypoallergenic liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap to rub the tattoo gently with your fingers, removing all traces of blood, plasma, or leaked ink. This will help to prevent the tattoo from scabbing too soon.
Do not use a washcloth, loofah or any sponge to clean the tattoo, as these may harbor bacteria. Do not resume use of the items until the tattoo has healed completely.
Avoid holding the tattoo directly under the water—the stream of water from the faucet may be too harsh on your new tattoo.
Let the tattoo air dry or pat it dry. While it's best to let your skin air dry after the tattoo has been cleaned, you can also use a clean, dry paper towel to gently blot the tattoo until it's dry. Avoid rubbing the tattoo with the paper towel to avoid irritating your skin.
Regular towels can irritate your tattoo or cause little bits of fluff to get stuck in them, so it's best to only use a paper towel for drying.
Apply a non-scented moisturizing cream or balm. Once your tattoo is fully dry, apply a little moisturizing cream, preferably a gentle tattoo aftercare product or fragrance-free lotion to the tattoo. Make sure to apply only a very thin layer and pat it in gently until it's absorbed by the skin. If you're not sure what kind of moisturizer to use, ask your tattoo artist what they recommend for your skin.
Don't use petroleum-based products, such as Vaseline or Neosporin, as these are too heavy and may clog the pores.
Once your tattoo is clean and moisturized, avoid rewrapping it.
Listen to your tattoo artist's advice. Your tattoo artist will explain how you should care for your tattoo immediately after getting it, so try to follow their instructions. The way they bandage your tattoo may be different from other tattoo artists, so take the advice they give you seriously to ensure your tattoo heals correctly. Write down the instructions they give you on a piece of paper or type them up on your phone so you don't forget.
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