Immediately After Getting A Tattoo
Day 1 during the first day, your tattoo will be wrapped in plastic and a bandage by the tattoo artist. The tattoo needs to stay covered for several hours . After removing the covering, the skin will ooze with plasma and/or blood, and the skin will be red and feel irritated. After cleaning your hands, you should wash the tattoo with antibacterial, fragrance-free soap, and lukewarm water.
Its important during this stage that you:
- Dont scrub it with any pressure at all, just let water and soap wash over it,
- Use lukewarm water, not too cold or too hot,
- Dont place the tattoo directly under a stream of water. Use your hand to gently slosh soapy water over the tattoo to clean it.
When you dry the tattoo, you just want to gently pat it at most. Its best to use kitchen paper towel, so it can be immediately disposed of.
Wrapping the Tattoo
Although you need to take the plastic off after a few hours to clean the tattoo, it makes sense to want to wrap it again afterward!
Its always best to let your tattoo breathe in fresh clean air where possible, but if your tattoo is going to be exposed to sunlight or rub against fabric clothing, then wrapping it will protect it. Use a protective and breathable tattoo film.
Maintain A Consistent Healthy Weight
Not only is that healthier for your body, itll also preserve your tattoos shape and size.
This includes gaining or losing weight quickly and getting pregnant. It could stretch the tattoo, cause it to fade, or create stretch marks. If you do plan on changing your current weight, try and do so gradually.
Hours Later/the Next Day
Once your tattoo is dry, the skin around the area will begin to feel tight. This happens as your tattoo dries out, and its a good indicator that its time to apply moisturizer. Once again, we use and recommend Sanibalm for this. Rub it in gently until its absorbed by the skin be sure to apply a very thin layer. Its important not to apply too much ointment, or you can suffocate the tattoo. Continue applying your aftercare of choice each time you gently wash the tattoo for 3 to 5 days, or until your tattoo starts to peel.
When using Saniderm, we recommend that you use 2-3 bandages total to allow ample time for healing. Use your first Saniderm bandage for 8-24 hours, and then keep the next two pieces on for between 1-6 days each . If you believe that your tattoo needs more time to heal beyond that, you may continue applying additional Saniderm bandages. However, most customers report complete healing after 2-3 applications.
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Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion
This lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-greasy body lotion fights dry skin at its source. This is a great choice for taking care of your new tattoo because of its glycerin content. Glycerin is a moisturizing humectant that pulls and absorbs moisture from the air, which basically means your skin will retain more water, keeping the scabs and flakes at bay!
Which Tattoos Take Longer To Heal
The length of healing time depends on your tattoos location. For example, a tattoo near a joint or anywhere that flexes will take longer than a place that doesnt move much.
Larger tattoos and ones with intricate color work will also take longer to heal.
However, keep in mind the healing timeline also largely depends on each persons body.
Practicing proper aftercare is essential in preventing infection in your tattoo and making sure it properly heals.
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How Do You Sleep With A Fresh Tattoo
Avoid sleeping directly on your new tattoo, at least the first 4 days. The goal is to try your best not to put any pressure on your tattoo and to keep it from touching anything, at least as much as possible. A healing tattoo needs lots of fresh air and oxygen, so try not to smother it while sleeping.
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How Long Do Tattoos Take To Heal
In general, it takes approximately one month from the time of tattooing for a tattoo to take on its permanent form in a young, healthy individual, though as mentioned above, tattoos are considered fully healed around 3 months. However, there are some factors that can influence healing time. For one, tattoos with more saturated color areas may take slightly longer to heal. Makharita explains that saturated pigment requires more needle pricks to deposit ink than finer tattoos. This may create a larger inflammatory response, potentially requiring a longer recovery phase.
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Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly
Vaseline always gets the job done. Whether you are dealing with dry skin, chapped lips, cracked skin in the wintertime, or chafed heels, Vaseline is the one all-purpose ointment that many physicians will recommend, and its for a good reason.
Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly is a moisturizing ointment that helps to soothe and protect dry, cracked, inflamed, or irritated skin. The product contains 100% petroleum jelly , which creates a protective layer over the affected area locking in moisture while allowing enough oxygen to speed up the healing process.
The simple formulation you get with Vaseline, ensures that it is excellent for protecting all skin types, including newly tattooed patches. Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly is also an ideal companion for dealing with a host of conditions such as cuts, burns, itchy psoriasis, and sunburns on even the most sensitive skins.
Plus, since Vaseline is a common feature in most medicine cabinets, the chances are that you already have one. Hence, you may not need to make any extra purchases to provide your new tattoo with the aftercare it needs.
Highlights
What Is Tattoo Aftercare And What Do We Recommend
– As it reads, Tattoo aftercare is the process of care you need to take as soon as you get your tattoo. As far as my experience goes, after-care varies from country to country, city to city, it also depends on what kind of climate you live in, what’s the weather like, humidity, hot/cold, etc. Your tattoo artist knows the best so it is important you listen to him/her carefully while he/she is explaining the tattoo aftercare process, probe him/her if you dont understand it, but make sure you get it all right.
Following are the 2 different aftercare processes which I recommend, which are quite generic and works in all climatic condition most of the time.
//Dermalize – It is a thin self-adhesive film that provides a moist healing environment during the initial, and most critical, healing stage of a tattoo wound. It is the new solution that replaces the alimentary cling film which has been improperly used in the tattoo aftercare so far. It protects the new tattoo from friction and provides a WATERPROOF, ANTIBACTERIAL-BARRIER that prevents pathogens and external contaminants from entering the wound. The film is BREATHABLE, letting oxygen in and allowing excess moisture vapor to be released from the wound. Its light to wear, FLEXIBLE and stretchable which allows it to be placed anywhere on the body and stay on,up to several days. Reduced scabbing, reduced risk of infection, no rubbing clothes or other external factors that will damage the tattoo. Read More about Dermalize
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Specialized Tattoo Healing Creams/lotions
These are the products that are specifically created in order to be used during the tattoo aftercare period. They normally contain blends of ingredients and nutrients that are great at aiding the tattoo as it heals.
As well as nutrients, these tattoo aftercare products are designed to ensure they cause as little irritation to the sensitive area of skin as possible.
This is because theyre usually largely made up of completely natural ingredients, and dont contain anything that would cause skin irritation, such as harsh chemicals or artificial colors or scents.
The best tattoo lotion Ive ever personally used is a vegan aftercare product called After Inked Tattoo Aftercare Lotion. This stuff works amazingly well during the healing process not only by keeping your tattoo really well hydrated but also by soothing any annoying itching and irritation. When using it from the very start of the healing process, this lotion will help to decrease tattoo healing times and work towards eliminating any lingering dryness and scabbing.
Wait For The Tattoo To Heal
It may take your tattoo some time to heal, so it is essential you stay calm, take care of your tattoo, and let it heal completely. Many tattoo artists will let you know the estimated time you can expect your tattoo to heal, but the time usually revolves around 6 weeks, depending on the size and type of the tattoo.
For example, colored tattoos take longer to heal than black and white ones, or if theres any trauma to the skin, you can also expect the healing process to take longer. This means that areas that have been heavily shaded or the tattoo artist has gone over repeatedly will take much longer to heal. As a result, certain tattoo styles heal quicker than others.
Heals relatively quickly:
Takes much longer to heal:
- Hyper-realistic designs,
- Portraits and detailed designs,
- Any tattoo that requires a lot of coloring and shading.
You should also know that the tattoo will become itchy and uncomfortable, so you need to control yourself and not scratch it, or peel and pick it!
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My Tattoo Isnt Healing Fast What Should I Do?
If your tattoo is taking much longer to heal than your tattoo artist recommended, dont panic. Everyone is a little different and the timescale for healing will vary from person to person. If you take a long while to heal in general from cuts, scrapes, and bruises, then your tattoo will take longer too.
If in doubt, ask your tattoo artist or reach out to the tattoo forums!
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Keep The Tattoo Covered
After you get tattooed, your tattoo artist will cover the tattoo with either a plastic wrap or surgical pad. The reason for this is to protect the fresh tattoo and prevent all the plasma oozing and excess ink to get all over your body and clothes.
The tattoo, being a fresh wound, needs to be protected against airborne particles, bacteria, and germs. This way youll prevent a tattoo infection and inflammation.
A fresh tattoo will continue to ooze and bleed for the following 8 to 10 hours. So, it is best to leave it covered, preferably overnight. This way, the bleeding, and oozing will stop naturally and the tattoo will be ready for cleaning and washing.
How To Take Care Of Your Tattoo: The Basics
Your tattoo artist will kick-start your aftercare routine as soon as their work is complete. After all, this is their masterpiece, and they want to preserve its beauty. Theyll likely apply a thin layer of petroleum-based ointment over your ink and then cover it with plastic wrap or a bandage.
While you might want to gaze at your new addition , resist the urge. A tattoo is basically an open wound, so keeping it covered prevents bacteria from getting into your skin.
Plus, depending on where the tattoo is on your body, keeping it covered will prevent your clothes from rubbing against it and causing discomfort and irritation.
The biggest mistake people make with new tattoos? Not using sunblock and exposing the tattoo to sunlight, says New York-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.
Follow these dos and donts for basic tattoo aftercare:
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How To Choose The Bestest Aftercare Products
A tattoo is a major investment, and its a personal statement thatll stick around forever so take care of it!
It is very important to use a protective ointment that would have no irritating chemicals in it, explains Green. The goal of using an ointment after a tattoo is to let the scab heal and provide a layer of emollient to allow this healing to occur.
The ointment provides a protective barrier that slows healing just enough. You know that uncomfortable tight feeling that happens when a scab dries out? That can signal that your skin is pulling together as it heals which is not what you want when you have a lovely design inked on your skin.
If a scab dries up, it heals quickly but not nearly as well as when you use a healing salve and keep the area covered, says Green. Using the right product can make all of the difference, and it allows the healing to be better faster is not better in this case.
What kind of ointment do you put on tattoos? Theres no single one thats best. But read the ingredient list and keep these tips from Green in mind:
- Choose a product with no perfumes or additives, which can be irritating or exfoliating. Plain and simple are better in this case, she says.
- Avoid retinols, salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, and lanolin, which can be irritating.
- Dont use Neosporin or other antibiotic ointments, which could cause an allergic reaction or contact dermatitis.
Phase : Initial Healing
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Days 14 To : Invisible Recovery
The visible signs noted above have typically resolved by the third week post-procedure, in our experience, however, the tattoo will may remain dull and dark appearing until approximately one month after the tattooing procedure. At the one-month mark, the tattoo may have taken on its permanent vibrant color. Remodeling of the skin underneath the tattoo will continue for three to six months when tattoos are fully healed.
H2ocean Ocean Care Skin Moisturizing Cream
Specifically designed for new and/or healing tattoos, H2Ocean Ocean Care Skin Moisturizing Cream is “designed to nourish, revitalize and hydrate your skin by providing 82 essential trace elements and minerals that keep your tattoo healthy and moisturized with each application. Bonus: this will not smudge or stick to your clothes.
Available on H2Ocean, $13
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What Should I Do If Im Allergic To My New Tattoo
If youre allergic to your new tattoo, take a look at the ingredients of the ointment or lotion that youre using. If it contains things like menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, or any other kind of essential oil, then youll want to stop using it immediately. If you have an allergy thats severe enough, you may need to see a doctor.
Tattoo Aftercare Instructions: Day By Day Ultimate Guide
If you thought that enduring the pain of tattooing is all it takes to get an amazing tattoo, then you must have forgotten the healing and aftercare part! Taking care of a tattoo until it heals is one of the most important steps if you want the tattoo to turn out great and not become infected.
So, if youve just received some fresh ink, or youre thinking about getting a tattoo, then the following guide is mandatory for you to read and remember. So, without further ado, lets show you how to take care of your new tattoo and prevent infection. But remember your tattoo will heal as good as the tattoo artist is!
Contents
Before we delve into our list, we highly recommend that you ask your tattoo artist what they recommend for your tattoo aftercare. Not only will they have expert knowledge, but theyll also be able to give bespoke advice if you have a tattoo in an awkward location.
Furthermore, your tattoo artist will be able to gauge how quickly you will heal better than any online guide, simply because they have first-hand experience tattooing your skin and seeing how your body is responding!
If, for whatever reason, your tattoo artist doesnt provide you with clear and simple instructions, just follow these steps instead. Make sure you bookmark this page so you can come back to our tattoo aftercare instructions sheet whenever you need to.
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To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key featureslike ingredients, shade range, or designin addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five to certain products on the list.