Working Out With A New Tattoo
This is a topic I went back and forth on quite a bit when I first started getting tattoos. The thing is, the gym is a filthy place that is generally covered in sweat and germs. This is not good for a new tattoo because you dont want anything that could potentially cause an infection getting on your tattoo.
But being a complete addict I honestly go out and get a lift in the following day. I would go the day of, but I will generally workout before and spend time after getting tattooed cleaning the area and resting due to the leaking bodily fluids.
The next day I go and lift and I have never had any problems, but I am very careful. A couple of precautions I take include:
- Cleaning the tattoo before going out and applying the ointment.
- Bringing a towel to the gym to lay down on to protect the tattoo.
- Cleaning the equipment before and after use.
- Not bumping into or rubbing against any machinery/people.
Once I get home I get in the shower and clean the tattoo with my preferred anti bacterial soap and reapply my ointment. I am not saying this will work for you but this is what I do to not have any problems.
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.
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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Ingredients To Look Out For
When shopping for tattoo lotions, always be sure to read the ingredients list. Not only does it let you find ingredients you may be allergic to, but it will also help you understand the exact benefits each lotion can provide to your skin.
Things to Consider
Moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera, coconut oil, and vitamin E are all great things to have in a lotion. You may also want to select a lotion that has shea butter or soothing plant extracts, like chamomile, as part of its formula.
Be sure to select a lotion that is non-comedogenic. This means the lotion will work to moisturize without clogging pores, an especially important consideration for a new tattoo. Lotions without the non-comedogenic label can impede healing and cause breakouts.
Things to Avoid
Colorants, alcohols, and strong preservatives should all be avoided. These ingredients can irritate skin or lead to an infection in someone with very sensitive skin completely avoiding them will help ensure your tattoo heals healthily.
Strong fragrances are another ingredient to steer clear of. Fragrances are often the cause of allergic reactions, and your tattoo runs the risk of becoming infected due to overly perfumed lotions. Light, naturally scented lotions may be ok for some people, but especially if you have sensitive skin, fragrance-free is the best way to go.
Now that weve discussed the basics of tattoo lotions, lets head straight into our list!
The Tattoo Is On You Forever
This is actually common sense.
But, its extremely important to take the tattoo healing process seriously because it will affect how it the tattoo will look for the rest of your life.
I am always mind blown by the lack of care or concern people have for their tattoos. I take pride in what is on my body because its now a part of me. I would hope you too, would have the same care and consideration for what is on your body.
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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.
What Is Tattoo Swelling
Swelling is a natural response of the body to various things. Usually, its a result of an inflammation or fluid buildup. They can be caused by a wide range of things including injury, disease, hormonal changes, sting, infection, pregnancy, medication, and diseases. They can be internal or external.
Tattoo swelling falls under the external category that is caused by an injury. Since the process of tattooing involves punching a needle through the skin to deposit ink in the dermis, it can definitely damage and injure the skin. Not to mention that the tattoo machine as well can repeatedly bump on the topmost layer of the skin, so the tattooed area can really get beaten up.
As a result, the body reacts accordingly to heal the area. To help heal the injury, the body diverts white blood cells in the area which can result in localized fluid retention. By putting more fluid in the affected locale, you also get to move the body part with less ease, preventing the injury from worsening. So, all in all, its one of the bodys ways to help heal you.
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The 10 Best Lotions For Tattoos In 2021
Tattoo lotions are an essential part of tattoo aftercare and the overall healing process. After getting a tattoo, regular use of a lotion provides protection to your skin and helps stop your tattoo from becoming excessively dry or flakey. They can also prevent that annoying itch that accompanies a healing tattoo, as the last thing you want to do is scratch at your new ink it is an open wound, after all!
Choosing a tattoo lotion can be an extremely daunting process. You want to be sure to purchase something that is both free of skin-irritating ingredients and sufficiently moisturizing. To help you make your decision easier, weve collected a list of the top 10 tattoo lotions out there and analyzed the benefits of each one. Keep reading to learn about our favorite options!
Signs Of Tattoo Healing Problems
If you follow your artists recommendations for tattoo aftercare and keep your tattoo clean, you shouldnt experience any adverse reactions and your tattoo should heal nicely. But its important to watch for any signs of infection in your new tattoo.
Signs of a potential tattoo infection include:
- Red, bumpy rash surrounding your tattoo
- Visible pus coming from the tattoo
- Swelling that wont subside
- Very warm and inflamed area
- Fever
- Chills
If you experience any of these symptoms, and they do not disappear after a few days, call your doctor to get the tattoo checked. If you start to develop a high fever, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea, see a doctor immediately as these signs can signify a more serious health problem.
If a client is worried, they should definitely see a doctor immediately, says Caldwell. Not all infections come from the tattoo process itself, but can come from poor aftercare procedures as well.
This article is meant as a guideline only and should not replace the advice from your tattoo artist or from a doctor. If you have any questions about healing your new tattoo, discuss them with your artist.
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At The End Of Your Appointment
Your tattoo artist will cover your tattoo with a bandage. Leave this covering on for 1 to 4 hours to prevent any bacteria from entering your new tattoo. Once the tattoos initial bandage is removed, DO NOT cover it again during the healing process. The tattoo will need to be exposed to air in order 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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Tattoos And Coconut Oil: A Love Story
Looking for an affordable, natural way to keep your tattoo protected? Look no further than your kitchen. Coconut oil is a super popular tattoo aftercare product.
The oil is a natural analgesic and has anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing properties, so it makes sense to use it on your newly inked skin. Make sure you choose virgin coconut oil, which is solid at room temp, over refined versions that are liquid.
So you did everything right, but your new tattoo just isnt healing. When should you talk to your tattoo artist or doctor? Heres a rundown of three common but unpleasant side effects.
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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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
Drink Plenty Of Water
Its always good to drink lots of water, but it’s especially beneficial for your skin.
You can tell when someone isnt drinking enough water as their skin is dry and dull…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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Is Your Tattoo Infected
If you havent been careful about following your tattoo artists instructions and slipped up the dos and donts of tattoo aftercare, infection is a real possibility.
Theres a chance that infection could go away entirely on its own without you even noticing you had one, or it could lead to much more serious consequences.
These are some signs that you are infected, and it might be a good idea to see a doctor:
- Prolonged swelling
- Redness and radiating heat from tattoo site
- Pus draining
- Fever
Apply Lotion As Needed After Peeling
Once your new tattoo has peeled, youll notice a shiny tone and somewhat waxy finish to your skin. This is completely normal. Go ahead and continue to apply lotion as needed, but only do so when your skin becomes overly dry.
Know that at this point, your skin is no longer exposed nor abraded. If your skin feels tight or tense, try applying coconut oil,Aquaphor, or other leading aftercare products to relieve any discomfort.
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Phase : Between Days 47 For Most Tattoos
When Do I Know When My Tattoo Has Healed?
Your tattoo is healed when all of the tattoo is smooth and evenly coloreduntil then, moisturize!
Don’t go swimming or take any baths for the first two weeks after you get your tattoo.
Touch It With Clean Hands Only
Most tattoo artists have their own set of aftercare instructions. But one piece of advice they all have in common is to touch your tattoo with clean hands only. The most important step would be to clean your hands before you clean your tattoos, says Carter. you listen to the verbal directions first, then refer to the written directions after. Also, take into consideration that washing your hands shouldnt be a quick three-second rinse. With soap, rub your palms together for as long as it takes to recite the alphabet .
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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.
Tattoos On The Foot And Wrist:
Tattoos on the feet and wrist are notoriously hard to heal. These areas also have a higher chance of becoming infected because of exposure to germs and bacteria due to door knobs, keyboards, computer mice, dirty shoes, carpet, etc. It is EXTREMELY important to keep these areas clean and to NEVER touch your tattoo with dirty hands. It is advisable to buy a new pair of cheap shoes that can be easily cleaned in the washing machine after you get your foot tattooed. Wash the shoes in the washing machine before wearing them. Make sure they are loose fitting and all socks should be smooth and fuzz free on the inside.
Above all, if you have ANY questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call us or stop by. Thats what we are here for! We know what looks normal and what does not and well assist you in any way that we can. We put a lot of hard work into your new tattoo and care about it just as much as you do.
Again, our number is 573-442-8287.
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