+ Images Of How To Treat A Fresh Tattoo
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When it comes time to get a new tattoo, the right aftercare is as equally as important finding a reputable tattoo artist. A fresh tattoo is most vulnerable within the first few days: You are …
While a tattoo is a piece of art, its also a procedure that results in open skin. When the skin is open, youre vulnerable to infection. A new tattoo may need 4 to 6 weeks to heal to the …
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Without proper aftercare techniques, though, a fresh tattoo wound is extremely vulnerable to an infection and other issues within the first 2 weeks. … How to Treat or Remove Tattoo Scars.
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When It Ok To Put Vaseline Or Petroleum Jelly On A New Tattoo
The first 24 hours after getting a tattoo are critical to your aftercare. Your tattoo artist may advise that you wear special bandages for added protection. After a few days, you may be able to safely take showers, but youll still need to avoid submerging the tattoo in water when bathing.
While your tattoo is bandaged, this may allow for a very small window for using Vaseline too, since your tattoo is already covered. However, youll want to verify this with your tattoo artist first.
Generally, theres no need for Vaseline on a new tattoo whatsoever. Once your bandages are off, youll want to stay away from Vaseline during the healing process, too.
You may be able to use Vaseline on a newer tattoo only after its completely healed. The only use for petroleum jelly on your tattoo is for extremely dry skin around the area.
Can You Wear Sandals With A New Tattoo
It is crucial to shield all new tattoos from dirt, especially foot tattoos. Avoid wearing sandals that expose your feet to dirt, or wearing tight shoes that rub against the tattoo. Opt for loose, close-toed shoes instead slip-on shoes or tennis shoes are good options.
Make sure you clean your tattoo several times per day, and once it heals, you are free to wear whichever shoes you fancy .
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Don’t Pick Or Itch It
The time it takes for your tattoo to fully heal depends on the size and execution of the tattoo, but Carter says it should be around six weeks. . He also says that tattoos with colored ink take longer to heal than non-colored tattoos, especially if its large or on the inside of a joint. The bending can crack the healing tattoo and cause a scab, which can delay the healing process, he says.
Etched tattoos and link work cause minimal trauma to the skin, so they tend to heal faster. On the third or fourth day, the art will begin to peel, which may be uncomfortable or itchybut refrain from picking and scratching the design. The area will still be hypersensitive even after the peeling stage, so its recommended to keep up with your moisturizing routine. Continue to use unscented soap and lotion without scent, dye, and perfume. No shaving.
Tattoo Aftercare Is Crucialhere’s How To Do It Right
OHLAMOUR STUDIO / Stocksy
The world of tattooing is an intricate realm. What most people dont realize is that its a space where art, health, body strength, technique, etching, shading, and beauty are all on a level playing field. Here at Byrdie HQ, we love a fresh tattoo just as much as the next person, but we know that proper tattoo aftercare is crucial, if you want your new ink to last. Whether it’s your first or your 20th, we’ve rounded up the best short- and long-term tips from the experts that’ll help keep your tattoo care game in tip-top shapefrom how to clean it to signs it’s time to visit your doctor.
Meet the Expert
- Robert Finney, MD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Entière Dermatology.
- Anka Lavriv is a Montana-based tattoo artist and the co-owner of Black Iris Tattoo.
- Tuki Carter is a rapper and tattoo artist.
Keep reading for the best advice and products for tattoo aftercare.
Alison Czinkota/Byrdie
As Finney describes, “It is important to know that a tattoo creates a wound in the skin, so being gentle is important.”
According to Lavriv, tattooing puts a strain on your immune system, and internal preparation is just as important as external aftercare. A tattoo is an invasive cosmetic procedure, and your immune and lymphatic system will be working hard on healing a fresh tattoo, so partying and anything excessive is not recommended,” she says. In other words: take it easy.
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Choose According To The Tattoo Type
Despite tattoo artists showing the way, most tattoo fanatics do not understand the importance of choosing aftercare products according to the type of tattoo. For instance, if you are dealing with pure blacks, your primary concern is to keep a tab on the excess ink oozing out. And while washing the exposed area is still essential, you might want to support it with a herbal moisturizer at least two times a day.
For shades, it is essential to wash the tattoo with warm/moderately hot water to prevent infection. However, the frequency of the wash might vary depending on the extent of the open wound, medically reviewed info, if needed, and obviously the tattoo size.
Bigger tattoos, black or with colors bright, require a lot of attention for the first few nights. And while washing the skin surface is still important, you need to go generous on the moisturizer for the first few days. Color tattoos fade quickly and require greater regulation. Therefore, you should always see a doctor if the pain lasts till the fourth day, as the tattoo might need a different form of aftercare.
Can You Shave Over A New Tattoo
It only takes one swipe of a razor to answer this question for yourself. Shaving over your new tattoo is never a good idea for many reasons.
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Razors harbor bacteria, so prevent infection by not shaving over your tattoo.
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Shaving over scabs is never a good idea again, infection.
Keep your tattoo covered, and dont stress over a bit of leg hair for a week or two. Your tattoo is worth the wait, chica. Let it grow.
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How To Replace The Cling Film On Your New Tattoo
You might see that under the cling film, theres a build-up of plasma and ink , but dont worry. This is completely normal, and its a sign that your tattoo is starting to heal. It will also mean that its time to change the cling film. To do this simply
If you notice a small rash appear surrounding the tattoo, its usually from the cling film but feel free to contact the studio to ensure that everything is as it should be.
Top tip: Heading on holiday or somewhere warm? We advise you to book holidays once the healing is completed, as tattoo aftercare is even more important in warmer climates. Should this be unavoidable, you should try to keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight and change the cling film more frequently to allow your skin to breathe.
Tattoo Aftercare Products We Swear By
We asked our team of tattoo-addicts and professional tattoo artists which products they recommend. Below weve listed the 6 that they love the most! But before we get into that, here are some ingredients to look for and some to avoid:
Great ingredients:
- Rough or exfoliating ingredients, e.g., coffee grinds
- Excessively greasy or oily textures
Controversial ingredients:
- Petroleum it forms a seal over your tattoo, preventing moisture from escaping however, it can also clog your skin and keep it dry if the product isnt balanced with enough moisturizing elements.
- Oils similarly to petroleum, these lock in moisture rather than providing it. A small amount of natural oil, e.g., hemp seed, sesame, jojoba, may be okay when combined with other moisturizing elements.
- Multi-purpose products some people have tried hemorrhoid cream, nappy rash cream, and antiseptic cream on their healing tattoos. While some of them may work, others contain ingredients that will be harmful to your tattoo. We think its best to avoid any product that wasnt made with healing or inked skin in mind.
If your tattoo artist doesnt recommend an aftercare product, its always best to use products that are specifically formulated to be applied on healing tattoos. This way, you can be sure that each product only contains safe ingredients and wont damage your fresh ink in any way.
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What Not To Do
Heres what someone should avoid when it comes to tattoo aftercare:
- Soaps and moisturizers with any fragrances or harsh chemicals. Even if a product does not normally irritate the skin, it may irritate the tattooed area.
- Picking at scabs, as this can cause scar tissue to form.
- Scratching the tattoo even if it becomes itchy.
- Non-cosmetic grade petroleum moisturizers, which will clog the pores.
- Using sunscreen on the tattoo before it has fully healed.
- Swimming before the tattoo has healed.
Tip #: No Alcohol Or Drugs
Both alcohol and drugs can slow down the healing process. This means you should avoid them for at least two weeks after getting a new tattoo, as they will make your skin more sensitive to damages and irritations. You should also avoid alcohol and drugs before getting a tattoo since these substances thin your blood and cause more bleeding.
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How To Fix A Bubbling Tattoo
Tattoo bubbling is a very common issue that is being faced by people. One of the main reasons for bubbling your tattoo is over-saturation. This is the reason why you need to make sure that you avoid exposure to water for the first six months to get your tattoo safe. By following the instructions properly the tattoo aftercare can be properly done which will keep away from the bubbling of your tattoo. However, if these Tattoo Aftercare Productsare used then you will be able to keep away from the bubbling effect. It is also necessary to keep an eye on the tattoo. Though bubbling doesn’t necessarily mean infection if any irritation or swelling persists then it is suggested to consult a doctor. Heres a guide on How To Fix a Bubbling Tattoo.
Apply Antibiotic Ointment Or Moisturizer
Applying antibiotic or recommended ointment is essential for the healing of a fresh tattoo. Most tattoo artists will recommend you use a particular brand of ointment they believe works best, often a lotion made with shea butter.
It is important you use fragrance-free and alcohol-free ointment or moisturizer, or you can even go for antibiotic ointments to prevent any sort of infection. The key is to choose gentle products that are low in chemicals, have a neutral pH, and arent astringent.
Regardless of your choice, however, you must at this point apply enough ointment to cover the tattooed area, but not overdo it. Applying too much can clog the pores and cause skin irritation or rashes a thin layer is perfectly enough. Also, after youve applied the ointment, make sure not to re-cover the tattoo, so that the skin can breathe and absorb the ointment properly.
Note: dont apply any oils at this stage of the healing process. There was a time when people were going crazy over coconut oil and applying it directly to tattoos. We advise that you avoid oils completely, as they are great for locking in moisture but dont do a great job of providing it. When the tattoo is fully healed, certain body oils may be used. But lets stick with moisturizer and ointment during the aftercare stages.
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What To Expect After Getting A Tattoo
If this is your first tattoo, you may be wondering what to expect as you begin the healing process.
Keep in mind that a tattoo, although beautiful, is an open wound. During the tattooing process, your skin experiences trauma and depending on placement, overall size, and your skins sensitivity, healing time will vary from person to person.
Its not uncommon for your new tattoo to be sore or sensitive to the touch, swollen, red, irritated looking, or even bruised in some cases. Again, this is going to depend on the location of the tattoo and the individual’s skin. You can usually expect the irritation to the skin to subside after 3 to 5 days. In some cases, it may take up to a week for your tattoo to stop looking so angry. In the unlikely event that you dont follow these aftercare instructions and the swelling, redness, or irritation spreads, your tattoo becomes hot to the touch, or you notice pus leaking from the area, seek medical attention. Youve got yourself an infection.
You will most likely experience some scabbing and or skin peeling during the healing process. Do NOT pick at the scabs or dead skin. Doing so can damage the tattoo by removing ink and creating a faded look within the areas you picked. No one wants a new tattoo to look uneven or washed out, so again DO NOT PICK!
Skin Care Concernshow To Take Care Of A New Tattoo
Heres everything you need to know about caring for your new ink.
There are many ways you can use your beauty look to express yourself. You can rock a gorgeous makeup look, you can change up your hair or, better yet, you can even flaunt a new tattoo as a more permanent option. Like makeup, tattoos are a form of self-expression, art and personalization, and they can be used to reflect yourself. Of course, with tattoos comes a whole set of skin care rules and if youre not up to speed, you run the risk of ruining your fresh ink. Thats why its a must to do your research on the aftercare before going under the needle. Lucky for you we have all the details on how to care for your skin after getting a tattoo, below. Keep scrolling for eight skin care tips for tattooed skin.
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How Often Should You Change The Cling Film
You should change the cling film, clean the tattoo and replace it with fresh cling film at least three times throughout the day and before going to bed.
You can use any standard cling film found at your local supermarket. Its just important that its new and clean. For some tattoo areas, you may prefer to use micropore tape to help keep the cling film in place, and you can find this at any local pharmacy.
How Long Does It Take For A Fresh Tattoo To Heal
Vikas Malani: The healing of the tattoo depends entirely on your body. Ideally, it will take anywhere between one to two months to heal. However, in certain cases, it may take slightly longer.
Dr Chiranjiv Chhabra: If you take good care of your healing tattoo, and follow your tattoo artist’s instructions, your skin will likely be fully healed within six weeks. The tattoo itself generally becomes healed and presentable in two to three weeks, depending on its size, ink, depth, density and your general health, but the skin might take six weeks or longer to return to how it was before the tattoo.
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How To Take Care Of A Tattoo: Common Questions Answered
So you just got tattooed for the first time and you love your new tattoo, but you still have a ton of questions. Or maybe youre a tattoo veteran and just need a refresher on how to care for your tattoos. Whatever your situation is, weve compiled a comprehensive list of tattoo aftercare instructions thats sure to give you all the answers you need.
Picking Scrubbing & Scratching
Scabbing is a very normal part of the tattoo healing process, and you may be tempted to accelerate that process by picking off unwanted flakes and peely-parts.Dont pick it!Dont scrub it either. Scabbing will typically be the same color as the pigment that was used. If you pick or scrub your scab, you risk pulling out the color or causing hypertrophic scarring of your tattoo. Let the tattoo heal by itself. Patience is a virtue.
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A Detailed Understanding Of The Tattoo Recovery Process
Now that you’ve been inked, you can’t wait to flaunt your new style. But, wait, your skin has encountered trauma and it’s important you give it the proper tattoo care day by day to recover. Learning the Tattoo Aftercare rules and understanding the healing process depends on the size of your tattoo and the intricate details of the tattoo design. Also, there is variation in recovery due to skin type, diet, hydration , and previous skin damage from the sun or skin damage. Every person is different, so your tattoo artist is the best person to consult with for your skin type. Generally speaking, a large tattoo will remain swollen and red for an extended period. Premium quality Tattoo aftercare ointment should be applied to ensure that your skin has the nutrients it needs to recover faster. Follow the tattoo aftercare directions in this guide to avoid tattooed skin infection, you need to hydrate the tattooed area with high-quality tattoo aftercare products and follow professional guidelines. Learninghow often to moisturize a tattoo is easy. The weather and temperature of where you’re located can also affect your tattooed skin.