How To Protect Your Tattoo From The Sun
Learning how to protect your tattoo from the sun is essential for proper recovery of a new tattoo. A fresh tattoo being exposed to the sun will make your skin get dry, and as explained in this article its essential to keep a fresh tattoo fueled with nutrients and properly moisturized! Besides, the UV rays coming out of the sun will further damage the freshly tattooed area of your skin. Its highly recommended to stay out of the sun for at least 1 week, but if you must be in the sun â One of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun is by applying Tattoo Sunscreen. This will protect the skin from UV rays and will also help you to keep your skin moisturized.
How Long Do You Moisturise A New Tattoo
The length of your aftercare routine is usually dependent on the size of your tattoo, and this can be anywhere between 2 weeks to 3 months. Most professional tattoo artists will recommend moisturizing the fresh ink once or twice each day to give it the best chance of healing. The best way to ensure you adequately hydrate your tattoo is by applying an after care moisturizer every morning and night, particularly after showering to ensure it doesnt try out.
Continue It For The Next 25 Days:
Once your tattoo dries fully, your skin will start to feel tight. So, you should continue applying the cream for the next 25 days. During this time frame, the skin may start to peel and you may notice the colored bits of skin flaking too which is normal. After the end of the process, the new tattoo will take on a waxy shiny tone, so wait for that!
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Common Lotions For Moisturizing Your Tattoo
March 3, 2016 by Roc
When getting a new tattoo, the best thing you want to do is make sure it stays moisturized. Letting your new tattoo dry out can cause cracking and tattoo scabbing which can eventually lead to scaring and loss of pigment and color. Its these things that hinder the tattoo healing process.
When speaking to reputable tattoo artists, they will generally recommend two products when explaining how to take care of your tattoo. The two most recommended common on hand items for tattoo healing is: Plain unscented Lubriderm lotion and/or Aquaphor.
These products have been tried, tested, and true for many years and on many clients. Aquaphor is a tad thicker than most other products, but will help you heal your tattoo much quicker than normal. You will also need to make sure you remove all residual lotion once it has been applied, like you would with sun screen. Any excess amount can actually prevent the lotion from doing its job properly, and clog your pores. There are many accounts by happy clients that they have healed multi- color tattoos in just over a week with its regular use.
You will also likely hear talk of many other products people will recommend to you to put on your tattoo during the healing period. Products like Neosporin, Curel, Cocoa Butter, Noxzema, Bacitracin and many more like them.
A word to the wise and something major to consider regarding Neosporin:
Tattoo Aftercare Routine: Caring For Your New Tattoo After Removing Saniderm
Once the final Saniderm bandage is removed from your tattoo, continue to care for it by gently washing it with unscented antibacterial soap and pat or air dry. After, apply a layer of aftercare moisturizer 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks or until the tattoo is not peeling, dry, or cracked.
Keep in mind that the tattoo may appear to be fully healed on the surface once your second Saniderm bandage comes off. However, deeper layers of skin will still be repairing for 2-4 months. We recommend a good moisturizing regimen for this entire period. Our product Sanibalm was formulated specifically for this purpose.
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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.
Why Is It Recommended After Getting A Tattoo
Getting a tattoo means subjecting your skin to injury. Its important you give your tattoo the right treatment and time to heal so it doesnt scar or become infected or distorted. It will take about 3 or 4 weeks for your tattoo to fully heal.
Moisture is key to ensuring your tattoo heals properly. After getting a tattoo, you want to prevent it from drying out. Dryness will cause excessive scabbing and itchiness, which can damage your new ink.
Tattoo artists often recommend Aquaphor for aftercare because its so good at hydrating the skin and thats important when you get a new tattoo.
Of course, you can use other unscented moisturizing ointments to care for your tattoo. Look for petrolatum and lanolin in the ingredients list.
However, youll want to avoid using straight-up petroleum jelly or Vaseline. Thats because it doesnt allow enough air to have contact with the skin. This can lead to poor healing and even infection.
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Saniderm / Second Skin Bandage:
If your tattoo is bandaged with Saniderm , you should keep the bandage on for 3-4 days.During this time, it is normal to see some fluid build up beneath the bandage. . After 3-4 days, remove the Saniderm bandage gently under warm running water. To take the bandage off you must stretch from each side rather than peel it off like a Bandaid. When you stretch the bandage it allows the adhesive to come off the skin without disrupting the tattoo and taking any ink with it.Wash the tattoo with a mild, fragrance-free soap or warm water. At this point, your tattoo should be well into the healing process – you may use an unscented, non-greasy lotion to keep the tattoo moisturized. DO NOT moisturize your tattoo with Vaseline this does not let the skin and the new tattoo breathe.
1. Leave bandage on for 2-3 hours or as instructed by your artist.
2. Wash your hands well with soap before touching your new tattoo.
3. After the bandage is removed, wash your tattoo with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Remove all existing vaseline, plasma/excess ink with your fingertips gently. Do not use anything abrasive to clean your new tattoo.
4. Rinse and pat dry with a disposable paper towel or let air dry.
5. Wash tattoo twice a day until your tattoo is completely healed. Do not over-wash. Regular showering is fine. Do not submerge the tattoo for an extended amount of time until it has healed – this includes baths and swimming.
When Is My Tattoo Fully Healed
Many factors decide the time that is needed for healing your tattoo. Usually, it takes three to four weeks to get the upper layer of your skin healed after you get your tattoo done. In this stage, the scabs start peeling off and you are in your process to recover the layer that is being traumatized the most. However, it is essential to be patient because the underneath layer is not yet healed. The layer underneath your skin will take a much longer time to heal and usually, it takes up to six months to be completely healed. Read more about When is a tattoo fully healed?
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How Often Should You Moisturize Your Tattoo
Professional tattoo artists always recommended one moisturizes their tattoo once or twice a day. The best way to moisturize a tattoo is by doing it in the morning and in the evening. It is also important to apply lotion or ointment after taking a shower, to protect the tattoo from drying out.
Note: Make sure to wait between 10 and 20 minutes to apply lotion/ointment onto the tattoo after a shower. In that time, the tattoo will dry naturally, so when you do apply a moisturizer, it will soak into the skin nicely. By applying lotion onto a wet tattoo, youre risking overdoing it.
Moisturizing Tattoos That Are Peeling
Tattoo peeling is a common occurrence during the healing process. Peeling is not only normal, but its actually part of how your tattoo heals itself. Using an unscented lotion like CeraVe on tattoos that are peeling after each wash should help to keep them moisturized and promote faster healing times for new ink.
Using CeraVe cream on tattoos that are peeling is also good to avoid cracking which can lead to infection because it protects the tattoo from exposure to contaminants in the air that could be floating around your home or work environment. Using unscented baby wipes will also aid in keeping a new tattoo clean as these have been proven safe for use on fresh ink without being too harsh on sensitive skin.
In some cases, using Vaseline petroleum jelly before going to sleep can speed up the process of a peeling tattoo for some people because it will keep excess moisture from evaporating during the night. Using this method you should still wash your tattoo in the morning with antibacterial soap and moisturize before going out into the world so you dont get contaminants onto your new ink from being outside or hanging around others.
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How Do I Keep My Tattoo Vibrant
After the initial healing period of three to five days, we recommend using lotion for two weeks to one month after the tattoo has healed, says Goold. That said, it can definitely take longer for your tattoo to heal, and to keep it from fading, youll want to keep it moisturized regularlyespecially if you have color tattoos.
What Can I Do To Stop The Excessive Moisturization On My Tattoo
It is possible to avoid excessive water by removing your tattoo with a gentle cotton cloth or paper towel following your bath. Rub your tattoo lightly using a fragrance-free ointment or applying a lotion or antiseptic cream.
If you experience any health problem in your tattoo that isnt healing immediately, please seek medical assistance.
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Can I Use Scented Lotions On My Tattoo
No! Most scented lotions are often manufactured with some chemicals which may be harmful to your tattoo. The contact on the skin may lead to further skincare related problems.
Since freshly done tattoos are wounds on the skin which need time to heal, using scented lotions with harmful ingredients may not only damage your tattoo.
Therefore, if your tattoo is still fresh and in the healing process.
You should consider avoiding the scented lotions as you may not be sure which one has what type of chemical and whether it could be harmful to your tattoo or skin.
You may only interfere with your daily life routine
Including the types of skincare products you use and the kind of activities you are involved in when your tattoo is still fresh and is in the healing process.
However, once your tattoo has completely healed, nothing is barring you from resuming your routine.
You can go back to using your favorite lotions and skin care products without compromising the tattoo.
Furthermore, if you want your tattoo to last longer and significantly reduce the fading rate, you should often keep it moisturized and avoid exposing it to direct sunlight.
Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion
Gold Bonds Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion comes packed with Vitamin A, C and E to help heal dry skin without the grease. Just twist the top, give it a pump and apply once for 24 hours of clinically tested moisturize.
One of the pluses about this lotion is the fact that it has aloe inside for a cool, soothing relief and comfort that comes natural. When it comes to the vitamins, A helps to improve the elasticity of your skin, while vitamin C promotes healthy development and collagen formation. Finally, vitamin E lends a helping hand by protecting the function of your skin and reducing lipid loss.
All said and done, the trio of vitamins and the addition of aloe work wonders for any new tattoo. Even though its a bit thicker, it still doesnt leave behind any sticky residue which is great for keeping your skin off your clothes.
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Why Do Tattoos Peel
Getting a tattoo is a traumatic experience for your skin thus, your body will react accordingly.
- Tattoos break and penetrate the top and middle layers of skin, causing trauma to the skin barrier and shocking the skin cells.
- The body responds almost immediately upon penetration. Starting with forming a mesh of platelets to avoid the loss of body fluids.
- A new tattoo will often swell or raise the skin. The body will create a thin scab to protect the new growing cells. The scab will naturally flake off to reveal the new, healed skin.
You must allow the scab to come off on its own. Picking at the scab can result in your tattoo appearing patchy, distorted, and faded.
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What Happens If You Dont Put Ointment On A New Tattoo
Its a tricky line to tread, looking after your new tattoo and making sure it doesnt get infected, while also leaving it alone to do its healing without being fiddled with!
Too much balm can be problematic, as skin needs to breathe while healing, but what happens if you dont put any on at all?
- ItchinessWithout moisturiser, theres a risk that healing skin will get very dry, tight and itchy, and itchy skin that you cant scratch that in fact you shouldnt touch at all is not much fun! If you do itch then you risk damaging the new tattoo.
- Tightness and ScabbingDry skin can also cause very tight scabs to form these can flake and fall off easily, pulling the ink away with them, which you also really want to avoid.
- InfectionLastly, uncovered skin can be more open to infection, which can also damage the design a fine layer of breathable balm works like a sticking plaster to protect against irritants and microbes.
Your skin needs to be looked after whether its been tattooed or not it goes through the same natural cycle of repair and regeneration every 3-4 weeks, rebuilding its outer layer so that it can provide a robust barrier to the outside world.
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How Long Do You Have To Keep A Tattoo Covered
Generally, you should keep your tattoo covered for about one to three hours. Once the artist has finished your tattoo, they will bandage it up before sending you off. When you take your bandage off, be sure to clean it with warm water and antimicrobial soap then pat dry. Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day and leave the new tattoo open for it to heal.
Can You Touch Your New Tattoo
Itching is normal during this week, and you can expect scabs may be falling off. The combo of itching and loosening scabs is enough to make anyone want to pick at the tattoo area. But dont! Its important to leave your tattoo untouched as much as possible. Picking at scabs can even disturb the healing ink, causing distortion to the tattoo.
Touchy-feely is great and all, but not on a new tattoo. Beware of admirers that are tempted to touch your ink. Dont allow anything, including hands, to come in contact with your new tattoo. Hands have germs and bacteria that can cause infections.
Wash your hands before you clean your tattoo to ensure you arent spreading germs.
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Do Tattoos Look Bad When Healing
Sometimes, tattoos look messy and blurry while they are healing. You might see some ink leakage and some blurry lines while your skin is repairing itself. However, if your skin is healed and the lines of the tattoo are imprecise and smudged looking then you have a tattoo blowout. Give your tattoo a few weeks to heal.
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How Often Should I Wash And Moisturize My New Tattoo
Caring for new tattoos means knowing when to wash and moisturize but also what skincare products are best suited for your tattoo aftercare routines. But, how often should you wash and moisturize a new tattoo?
In general, a new tattoo must be washed and moisturized 2-3 times daily. Using antibacterial soap to wash your tattoo is important because it will help prevent infection and keep your new tattoo free of dirt and other potentially harmful contaminants for the duration of the healing process.
Use warm water and gently cleanse the area 2-3 times each day after waiting at least 1 hour since the last time you washed it. Using less than this could cause excess irritation or skin peeling, leading to a slow healing process.
While the use of more than 3 washes a day is said to be avoided, theres no such a thing as too much washing if you are using a good skin moisturizer as many fear that washing often can dry out your skin, leaving it flaking or cracked which results in an increased chance for infection.
Its usually recommended that you wait one hour after eating or drinking before you wash your tattoo since many of the ingredients in these foods and beverages can irritate or cause an allergic reaction. Using a mild, unscented body wash is recommended, one that leaves the skin feeling clean but not overly dry. Using a product with shampoo-like consistency also works well.
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