Tattoo Aftercare Tips For Your Brand New Tattoo
Today, we’re talking about the most important thing when it comes to tattoos: aftercare. Aftercare is exactly what it sounds like; care that occurs after you get a tattoo. While this term covers both fresh tattoos and healed ones, we’re covering the essentials of aftercare for brand new tattoos, and what you need to do during the healing process to ensure your tattoo is safe, and looks beautiful once it’s fully healed.
UNCOVERING YOUR FRESH TATTOO
Once your artist completes your tattoo, they will wipe the area and wrap the tattoo in a covering or bandage before you leave the studio. Nowadays, there’s many methods of bandaging a new tattoo, which can cause variations in how long you leave the bandage on for. When covering the tattoo, your artist should notify you on the protocols for the specific product they use, and any information you need to navigate the timing of the “second-skin” removal process.
Wash your hands thoroughly, and make sure they’re fully dry before removing the bandage.
This one’s pretty self-explanatory: wash your hands before touching this open wound known as a tattoo, or any wound for that matter.
Wash your tattoo with unscented and antibacterial soap with lukewarm water.
After removing the bandage, it’s time to give your tattoo a good wash! So, hop in the shower, or head over to the nearest sink with a good antibacterial soap that’s unscented! Unfortunately, your favorite strawberry-scented body wash won’t do you any good here, and you should refrain from using it on the area until your tattoo is healed. Using products with vigorous scents or harsh chemicals can irritate your tattoo, and some ingredients might even affect the way the tattoo heals. When it comes to washing your healing tattoo, simple soaps with simple ingredients is the only way to go! This soap should also be antibacterial, to clean the area of any germs that could lead to infection.
Once your tattoo is fresh and clean, pat the area dry and move onto the next step!
Moisturize your clean tattoo.
Much like the step above, moisturizing your tattoo comes with some strict rules in regards to what to use (and what not to). Your standard, scented body lotion won’t cut it for this step, and should be avoided at all costs while your tattoo is healing. Additionally, ingredients are crucial when it comes to choosing the right moisturizer for your tattoo. Do not use any products that contain petroleum jelly, as it can damage your new tattoo.
While there are drugstore moisturizers out there that can be used on your tattoo, we recommend you purchase a product from a tattoo aftercare brand. Since these products are made for tattoos, they have many benefits that normal moisturizers do not when it comes to the healing process.
KEEPING YOUR NEW TATTOO SAFE
There’s a lot of things out there that can hurt the healing of your new tattoo, and it’s crucial to avoid them in order to keep your tattoo safe!
Don’t itch your new tattoo, or remove scabs that form during the healing process.
This is arguably the hardest rule to follow when it comes to a fresh tattoo, but also the most important. No matter how hard it might be, do not itch your healing tattoo, or pick the scabs that form over it! If you’re worried about that fresh tattoo itch, stock up on some tattoo creams to apply when you just can’t take it anymore! Aftercare products, such as Hustle Butter and WOO After/Care,
Keep your healing tattoo away from bodies of water.
If you like swimming or taking baths, get those moments in before your next tattoo appointment! Submerging your healing tattoo in any body of water can expose the area to bacteria, and while you might not want to miss out on a pool party or beach time, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Avoid wearing tight clothing.
Let your tattoo breathe! Wearing tight clothing can cause friction on your tattoo, and irritate the area greatly. Aside from terrible irritation, tight clothing can also cause sweat build-up on your fresh tattoo, especially in the warmer months. While some might think sweat keeps the tattoo hydrated, it can actually expose the area to bacteria, and cause it to linger for prolonged periods of time. Those skinny jeans or that skin-tight dress might look cute, but it’ll look even cuter when it’s not rubbing against your healing tattoo all day!
Keep your tattoo safe from the sun!
Because who loves sunburn on a healing tattoo? Nobody. While we don’t recommend putting sunscreen on the designated area quite yet, there’s still two main ways to be safe from the sun while your tattoo is healing: wear breathable clothes over the area, or just stay inside all together.
Stay hydrated!
The golden rule that applies to almost EVERYTHING in life - Drink that water, people! Staying hydrated improves the elasticity of your skin, allowing it to be bouncy and beautiful! Additionally, hydration improves the appearance of your skin in general, no matter the location! Unlike the other rules above, this one applies to your tattoos even after they heal! So, don’t ever forget to be hydrated!
Getting an itch for a new tattoo after reading these tips? Download Tattd for IOS or Android to begin the easiest tattoo artist search of your life! With thousands of artist profiles to choose from all over the United States, there’s a perfect artist for everybody!
If you’re looking for some tattoo aftercare products to enhance your healing experience, check out Saniderm, Hustle Butter, and WOO After/Care for all the things you could possibly need!
