It had been planned for some time, getting a new tattoo. The needle has done its work, and before you know it, you walk out the door satisfied with your new personal artwork. But it's not over yet. If you want your tattoo to look good, it's up to you to take care of it as best as possible. But how do you actually do that?
Listen to the advice of your tattoo artist
The aftercare actually begins the moment you are still with your tattoo artist. They will explain how you can best take care of your tattoo after it's done. It can vary depending on the location and size when you can shower again and when you can remove the foil from your tattoo. They are, of course, experts in tattoo care.
Always ask your tattoo artist about their preference regarding tattoo care. Most swear by a certain cream for tattoo grooming. In some cases, you will receive a paper with instructions, so you can't go wrong.
The first day
Taking care of your tattoo in the first few days is the most important. And that naturally starts with day 1. Once you can remove the foil from your tattoo, it is very important to clean your tattoo well. You wash your tattoo to remove ink residues, wound fluid, and possibly blood from your tattoo. If you don't do this, large scabs can form on your tattoo. And you probably already understand: the thicker the scab, the more ink it will absorb, the more faded your tattoo will become. So wash your tattoo at least twice a day in the beginning.
Washing your tattoo the right way
With a fresh tattoo, grooming is the most important. First, wash your hands thoroughly with hand soap or disinfectant hand gel. Then wet your tattoo with lukewarm water. Absolutely do not use hot water! Your pores are open, and the heat will cause the ink to be expelled in no time. Your tattoo will definitely fade if you use water that is too warm. If you want to wash your tattoo in the shower, it is also important not to aim the stream directly at your tattoo. The pressure can also significantly affect the healing process.
Take good antibacterial soap and lather it up in your hands until you have a lot of soap/foam. Apply this soap to your wet tattoo and massage it in with circular motions without pressure. Rinse your tattoo carefully and make sure no soap is left behind. Dry the area with a clean, lint-free cloth. Make sure you don't wipe but gently pat dry. Of course, you can also choose to let your tattoo air dry.
Looking for more info on washing your new tattoo? Then read our article: Tattoo aftercare: How should you wash a new tattoo?
Caring for your tattoo
How to care for a tattoo is quite an operation. The washing is done. The ink residues, blood, and wound fluid have been rinsed from your fresh tattoo, and your tattoo has been gently patted dry. After this subtle operation, it's not over yet. It's time to apply ointment to your tattoo. Do this with a good ointment recommended by your tattoo artist, don't mess around with Vaseline or leftover coconut oil you happen to find in your kitchen cabinet.
Apply a thin layer of the tattoo cream and gently massage it in. Do not use a thick layer. This is not only unnecessary but also harmful. Your tattoo cannot breathe that way and therefore cannot heal properly. This can cause bumps or pimples, and as a result, your tattoo will become much fainter than usual.
The first weeks
The initial tension is gone. You are still alive and have not lost any limbs in the battle. Your tattoo seems to be healing well, so you no longer need to apply cream. True or false? FALSE! Do not be tempted by the good looks of your tattoo. It needs to be cared for longer than it appears.
Then, of course, the question arises, "how long should you apply cream to your tattoo?" When there are no more scabs visible but there are still flakes, you need to keep applying cream. Otherwise, your tattoo will dry out and fade. Therefore, continue to apply a thin layer of cream to your tattoo daily until it is fully healed. Fully healed means when there is not a single flake left to spot. This is usually after about 4 weeks.
What should I avoid?
Quite a bit. During the grooming of your new tattoo, you should leave certain fun things aside for a while. We will list them for you.
- Sunlight
- Swimming (so the pool, a sea, lake, river, etc.)
- Cuddling with your pets
- The sauna, Turkish steam bath, etc.
- The tanning bed
- Intensive exercise
- Touching your tattoo with unwashed hands
- Letting others touch your tattoo
- Do not use grooming (such as make-up, body lotion, etc.) on the area of your tattoo
If you are kind to the artwork on your skin, it will be kind to you. Because let's be honest, you didn't get it so it could fade and look like a medieval disease in no time. Treat your tattoo as art and wear it with pride!
Treat yo self!
Your friends, The Alpha Men.