What To Put On A New Tattoo
In our many years of experience, we get the same question very often: what is the best thing to put on a new tattoo?
There’s no short answer to that, that’s why we’ve made this guide. Long story short, the best thing to put on a tattoo should always combine both the protection of your skin and the preservation of an amazing looking tattoo.
As said before, theres no all-in-one magic product. The tattoo aftercare process has different stages, and depending on which stage you are, you should be using one or another tattoo aftercare product.
Ready to know more? Let’s jump into it.
What’s The Best Way To Heal A New Tattoo
It seems like everyone is an expert on healing tattoosjust ask, and they will tell you that they know the best, fastest, and the only way to do it.
I’m no expert, but I have a few tattoos and nearly all have healed well – but not all! I’ve gotten quite good at taking care of them over time, through trial and error I’ve learned that the secret is to:
- Pay attention to how your skin feels and looks.
- Use good products.
- Be prepared.
Some will tell you to listen to your artist and do whatever they tell you, to the letter. This isn’t necessarily the best advice. I know because I’ve tried it a few times with poor results. Why? Everyone’s skin is different, every tattoo is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all aftercare sheet.
Instead, you should listen to your skin and come up with a custom method that’s best for you. When you find a product your skin likes, stick with it! Learning how your skin heals best, then improving your personal technique is the secret to fast, safe healing for tattoos both big and small.
In this article, I’ll share what I’ve learned about tattoo aftercare and show you my preferred method. Use it as a jumping off point to customise a method for you.
Let’s begin!
How Long Does It Take for a Tattoo to Heal?
Your tattoo should be healed after about 23 weeks in terms of appearance. After 45 weeks, your skin should look smooth, and there should be no itching. It can take up to 34 months for all the layers of skin to heal.
Brilliant Ways To Heal A Tattoo Faster
A fresh tattoo is a wound, and like any other wound, it takes time to heal. Its a process you cant really rush, says Jes Valentine, owner and resident artist at Haven Studio in Brooklyn. Bodies are unique and complex and heal at varied paces, but tattoos usually take around two weekssometimes a bit long and sometimes a bit shorter, depending on the person.
Valentine, who has spent the past 12 years working as a tattoo artist and is almost completely covered in ink, has found that most tattoos go through very similar stages throughout the course of the healing process. Your ink will first scab over and then flake or peelalthough she says some people bypass these two stages depending on their aftercare routine and their bodys unique way of healing, which differs from person to personand eventually, a fresh, colored layer of skin will be revealed. While the new layer of skin is recovering, it may have a shine or wrinkle to it. If its still shiny, thats because your skin is still healing, she says, and youll know your tattoo is fully healed when your skin looks normal again.
But if two weeks feels like a long time, Valentine and Dr. Bruce Katz, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Director of the JUVA Skin & Laser Center in Manhattan, suggest there are a few things you can actively do , both before and after getting tattooed, to help your ink heal faster.
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Drink Plenty Of Water
Its always good to drink lots of water, but itâs especially beneficial for your skin.
You can tell when someone isnt drinking enough water as their skin is dry and dullâ¦when you have a tattoo on that same skin, it immediately shows that dehydration.
Its recommended you drink at least 8 glasses of water every day to keep your skin and tattoo looking healthier.
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How To Care For A Fresh Tattoo
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Tattoo aftercare is one of the most important parts of the whole process of getting inkedsecond maybe only to deciding what you want permanently on your body. New York Dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali doesn’t mince words: Tattoos cause a form of trauma on the skin, so its super important to administer proper wound care immediately after, he says.
Bhanusali, who advises the tattoo experts at Ephemeral Tattoo in Brooklyn, which specializes in one-year made to fade ink, says the first step is listening to your tattooer. Its not uncommon for different tattoo artists to recommend different post-care options for their work, he adds. This is because different methods are used by different artists, and they may also be able to recommend specific advice to the size and location of your tattoo. However, there are some general products that will help clean, heal, and condition the skin, while also preserving the tattoos brightness in the long term. Weve got the rundown below, plus a timeline for using them.
However, here are two products youll likely want to have ready during the immediate tattoo aftercare phase.
1. Gentle Cleanser
Be sure to use a gentle cleanser every day as the wounds heal, which will help neutralize any bacteria prior to applying ointment and lotion.
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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.
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 Care For A New Tattoo
This article was co-authored by Michelle Myles. Michelle Myles is the Co-owner of Daredevil Tattoo, a tattoo shop located based in New York City’s Lower East Side. Michelle has more than 20 years of tattooing experience. She also operates the Daredevil Tattoo Museum, co-owner Brad Fink’s personal collection of antique tattoo memorabilia that he has amassed over the last 27 years of tattooing.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 337 testimonials and 91% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 8,601,039 times.
Taking good care of your new tattoo right after you get it will help it heal quickly and stay vibrant. Keep the bandage that your tattoo artist applied on for at least a few hours before gently removing it, washing your tattoo with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap, then patting the skin dry. By keeping your skin evenly moisturized and clean, staying out of the sun, and avoiding picking or itching your new design, your tattoo will heal beautifully.
Whats The Best Way To Heal A New Tattoo
It seems like everyone is an expert on healing tattoosjust ask, and they will tell you that they know the best, fastest, and the only way to do it.
Iâm no expert, but I have a few tattoos and nearly all have healed well â but not all! Iâve gotten quite good at taking care of them over time, through trial and error Iâve learned that the secret is to:
- Pay attention to how your skin feels and looks.
- Use good products.
- Be prepared.
Some will tell you to listen to your artist and do whatever they tell you, to the letter. This isnât necessarily the best advice. I know because Iâve tried it a few times with poor results. Why? Everyoneâs skin is different, every tattoo is different, and thereâs no one-size-fits-all aftercare sheet.
Instead, you should listen to your skin and come up with a custom method thatâs best for you. When you find a product your skin likes, stick with it! Learning how your skin heals best, then improving your personal technique is the secret to fast, safe healing for tattoos both big and small.
In this article, Iâll share what Iâve learned about tattoo aftercare and show you my preferred method. Use it as a jumping off point to customise a method for you.
Letâs begin!
How Long Does It Take for a Tattoo to Heal?
Your tattoo should be healed after about 23 weeks in terms of appearance. After 45 weeks, your skin should look smooth, and there should be no itching. It can take up to 34 months for all the layers of skin to heal.
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Tattoo Aftercare: 4 Important Tips
Lets start first with the most essential recommendations for tattoo aftercare. The following 4 steps are important for everyone who just got a tattoo, regardless of its size or style. With new tattoos, it is crucial to be patient and refrain from all sorts of scratching, touching, and picking.
Lets see how you can take care of the tattoo and mitigate the changes on the skin
What Aftercare Products Should I Use
Your tattoo artist might recommend you some moisturizers or ointment products to use as a part of your tattoo aftercare routine, but they also may not. In that case, heres what tattoo artists usually recommend people use to take care of the tattoo and the tattooed area properly
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Keep It Clean But Not Soaked
A fresh tattoo is effectively a wound, so it’s important to keep it clean in order to avoid infection. “It will need to be cleaned regularly, particularly in the first 24-48 hours”, says Hayley. When you take the wrap off, clean the tattoo with an antibacterial, fragrance free soap, or warm water, pat your skin dry, then apply a thin layer of fragrance-free, antibacterial moisturiser over the top. Make sure you’ve cleaned your hands first. You can get your tattoo wet with short showers, but ‘it shouldn’t be submerged or soaked’, for instance, in the bath or swimming, for at least two to three weeks.
Should I Apply Lotion On My Older/healed Tattoo
Certainly! Many people believe that once a tattoo has finished healing, it no longer needs to be maintained and moisturized. This, however, is a wrong assumption.
A tattoo will only ever look as good and as healthy as the skin its on, and therefore you should aim to keep your inked skin as well-nourished and hydrated as you possibly can.
This not only ensures your tattoo continues to look fresh and vibrant for as long as possible, but many moisturizing lotions contain subtle anti-aging properties that will keep the collagen and elastic tissue healthy in the tattooed area preventing your tattoo from looking as crinkled, distorted and faded as it ages.
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How Often Should I Put Lotion On A Scabbing Tattoo
When your tattoo begins to scab it can become exceedingly dry. Although you may automatically think that applying more lotion is the best solution, you must be very careful.
Although most tattoos scab over very lightly, some tattoos can contain quite thick, dense scabs .
However, these big, thick scabs can also become very absorbent, and by applying too much lotion, especially when the scabs are still wet after cleaning/showering , you can cause the scabs to soak up too much moisture, making them become gooey and gloopy.
The main cause of this is the new layer of lotion trapping moisture beneath it, and with nowhere for the moisture to go, it is absorbed by the scabs. This is known as tattoo bubbling, and these sticky scabs then become much more prone to being pulled or ripped off.
Therefore, you should continue to apply lotion as often as you normally would unless the scabbing becomes very dry and looks like it may begin to start cracking, in which case clean the tattoo and make sure its completely dry before applying a small amount of lotion afterward.
You can make sure the area is completely dry by gently patting it with a clean paper towel to get rid of most of the moisture, and then allowing the tattoo to air-dry for another 10 minutes. Avoid using a towel that may transfer dirt and increase your risk of infection.
Without doing this your tattoo may look dry, but there is likely still moisture trapped within the scabs.
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Avoid Too Much Sun And Be Extra Diligent With Sun Cream
While your tattoo is healing, stay out of the sun as much as possible, or wear clothes that protect the area from the sun, especially if you have a coloured tattoo. “After it’s healed, regular sun cream should be fine to use”, says Hayley. “If you want to keep the colour vibrant, use a high SPF.”
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Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Original Solid Formula
Sometimes its best to stick to something familiar, and Palmers Cocoa Butter is about as comforting as it gets. The thick, buttery texture dissolves into skin like a dream, and you only need a very small amount to moisturise a tattoo, meaning in theory its even more affordable than its excellent price point. It smells amazing, feels amazing, and is a cult classic for a reason, even for tattoos.
Tubes Or Dispensable Packaging
When it comes to how your aftercare product is packaged, Olive recommends reaching for products that come with a dispenser . Something you have to continuously dip your hand into may harbor bacteria from the hands. That doesnt mean balms and creams that come in a pot are a no-go, just be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water before scooping out any product.
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Gently Wash The Tattoo
After a few hours, you can remove the covering.
First wash your hands with water and soap. Then gently wash the tattoo with warm water and fragrance-free soap. Pat your skin dry with a soft cloth.
Apply a small amount of fragrance-free and alcohol-free moisturizer to the tattoo. You can keep the covering off at this point to let your skin breathe.
DID YOU KNOW?
How quickly you heal depends on the size of your tattoo and how intricate it is. Bigger tattoos will stay red and swollen longer because they cause more trauma to your skin.
Can You Put Lotion On A Tattoo Right Away
Its recommended by professional tattoo artists that you should leave your tattoo alone for a day before washing and applying lotion. If you dont want to wait as long, you should still wait at least five hours before washing your tattoo for the first time, after which you can apply lotion.
Its recommended that you use a non-fragrance soap and lotion so you dont risk irritating your skin.
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How Often Should I Clean My Tattoo What Kind Of Soap Should I Use
The tattoo should be thoroughly cleaned immediately after removing the bandage, and cleaned daily from there on out. We recommend cleaning it multiple times on the first day. Pat the tattoo dry with a lint-free cloth or paper towel to avoid irritation, and let the tattoo air out for 20-30 minutes before applying moisturizer. We recommend using a gentle, liquid antibacterial soap, such as Dial Antibacterial Soap, though other hand or body soaps can be used as long as they are thoroughly rinsed from the tattoo. You want to avoid excess absorption of water by the tattoo, so washings should be efficient and deliberate to minimize time. You can use antibacterial soap for the first 3-5 days and then regular soap or body wash is fine.
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Cling Film For Colour Pieces
Not every tattoo needs to be wrapped in cling film it depends on the size and placement. When it comes to large, coloured pieces, Hayley says it’s wise to wrap them. “Small, solely line workpieces should be ok.” That said, “if the tattoo is going to be under clothing, its best to wrap it, especially if the tattoo is more than just linework.” Leave it wrapped for as long as your tattoo artist recommends, but at least two hours to prevent airborne bacteria from getting to it.
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