Get the Best Results- A Guide to the Tattoo Healing Process
Get the Best Results- A Guide to the Tattoo Healing Process
Every tattoo goes through it’s own healing process depending on the artist’s style and where you get your tattoo. Here’s a guide to the tattoo healing process.
Approximately 38 percent of young adults (aged 18-29) have at least one tattoo. Are you interested in joining this group?
When they’re done properly, tattoos look really cool. But, many people are unaware of the fact that, when they get a tattoo, there’s a very specific aftercare protocol they need to follow.
If you’re ready to get your first tattoo, you first ought to be aware of the work you’ll have to do afterward to keep it clean and ensure it heals properly.
Here is a guide to teach you everything you need to know about the tattoo healing process.
How to Ensure Proper Tattoo Healing
In order to prevent bacterial infections and ensure your tattoo heals properly, be sure to follow these tips when your tattoo is finished:
Choose a Trustworthy Tattoo Shop
One of the best things you can do to keep infections at bay is to make sure you’re getting your tattoos at a clean, trustworthy tattoo shop.
If you’re having a hard time finding a tattoo shop near you, be sure to look for online testimonials. Read through people’s reviews and find out what people are saying about the shops and artists in your area.
Leave the Bandage in Place (but Not for Too Long)
When your tattoo is completed, your artist will place a bandage on top of it.
Leave this bandage in place (after you’ve taken an obligatory picture of your new tattoo for the gram, of course) for two or three hours.
If it stays on a bit longer than that, you should be fine. But, don’t let it stay on for more than six hours. If it stays on longer than that, the gauze will become saturated and your skin won’t be able to “breathe”.
Wash Your Hands Before Touching Your Tattoo
When you’re ready to remove the bandage, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water first. This will help you avoid spreading any germs or bacteria to your still-healing skin.
Wash it Gently and Regularly
After you’ve removed the bandage, gently wash the tattoo and the skin around it with mild, unscented soap and water.Â
When you’re washing your tattoo, keep the water at room temperature. Don’t use a washcloth or loofah to scrub the tattoo — just your fingertips will be fine.
Make sure you get rid of any traces of blood, too. This will help prevent large scabs from forming.
Use a Gentle Moisturizer
Once your tattoo is clean, apply a thin layer of a gentle moisturizer.
Use unscented lotion or an ointment like Aquafor. Some shops also sell their own moisturizers specially designed for tattoos.
Prepare Your Bed
Many people don’t think about the possibility that their tattoo can get messed up while they’re sleeping.
Think about the location of your tattoo and prepare your bed ahead of time — getting a tattoo done can be pretty tiring, and you’ll likely just want to go home and sleep after it’s finished.
Use old sheets that you don’t mind getting a little ink on them. You can also lay down a towel and sleep on it.Â
If you wake up and find that your tattoo is stuck to your sheets or the towel, don’t pull it off. Take the sheet or towel into the shower with you and run it under warm water. This will help it to fall off.
Avoid Scratching or Picking at Your Tattoo
As your tattoo heals, you’ll likely experience some itchiness and irritation. It can be hard to do, but you must avoid scratching your tattoo or picking at it.
Scratching and picking at your skin can smear the tattoo. It can also increase the likelihood that it might become infected.
Limit Sun Exposure
When you have a new tattoo, it’s important to keep it away from direct sunlight while it heals.
Wear loose-fitting clothing when you go out in the sun. If the area can’t be covered, be sure to apply a fragrance-free sunscreen (SPF 50 at least) to protect it from the sun’s rays.
Avoid Prolonged Water Exposure
It’s fine to shower while your tattoo heals. But, avoid exposing it to water for longer than fifteen minutes at a time.
You should also avoid fully submerging your tattoo. Don’t soak in the bathtub or a hot tub until it’s healed all the way.
Long-Term Tattoo Care Tips
In the days immediately following the application of your new tattoo, you’ll need to follow the above guidelines. Caring for a tattoo is a long-term commitment, though.Â
If you want to keep your tattoo looking fresh and vibrant for as long as possible, be sure to keep these long-term tips in mind, too:Â
- Wash your skin every day with unscented soap (avoid scrubbing the tattoo)
- Stay hydrated to help keep your skin moisturized
- Cover your tattoo (and the rest of your skin) with sunscreen if you’re going to spend more than 15 minutes in the sun
- Avoid wearing scratchy fabrics like wool; these can damage your tattoo
- Avoid extreme weight gain or weight loss; this can stretch out or distort your tattoo
Remember to get your tattoos touched up regularly, too.
Every few years, you’ll need to meet with your tattoo artist to brighten up your tattoo and correct any fading that may have occurred. This is especially true with colored tattoos or tattoos in areas that are regularly exposed to the sun.
Are You Ready for Your First Tattoo?
Now that you know how to properly handle the tattoo healing process, are you ready to start planning your first tattoo?Â
When you’re planning your tattoo, the place you go to get it and the artist who does the work matter just as much (if not more) than the design itself.Â
Not sure where to go for a high-quality, expertly designed tattoo?
If you’re in the Las Vegas, Henderson, or Maui areas (or plan to visit them in the near future), we’re here to help at Skin Factory Tattoo.Â
Contact us to schedule an appointment with an artist today.
To learn more, contact us here.