Hello, hello and welcome to my official and unofficial club of cool tattoo members. My name is Leah. I’m also a self-proclaimed ink addict…
Like all great things in life (read: love island, chocolate, and of course tattoos), it only takes one experience, a short tasting, for the dopamine and adrenaline rush to occur. And you become addicted.
Eleven tattoos later (and counting!) here I am. Expert in all body art. From finding the best designs on Pinterest to following great artists on Instagram, I’m proud of my knowledge of everything about tattoos outside of the actual tattoo part.
So, For beginners who have finally I am depressed as I experience the once impossible feeling of having a design that has been in my head for months permanently burned onto my skin. please listen.
What will the reality be in the coming weeks? How do you care for your new skin and make sure it heals? Well, here’s everything you need to know…
1. Follow your tattoo artist’s advice
Aftercare advice varies from studio to studio, and even artists from the same studio may have different ideas about what works best. Listen to the artist’s instructions. Most artists will print out a leaflet with advice to take home with you.
2. After a few hours, gently wash the tattoo.
Most advice is to leave the tattoo cover (aka “second skin”) in place for the first 1-5 hours, then carefully remove it and gently wash the tattoo with warm water and an unscented body wash. Directed.
unscented body wash
cetaphil gentle skin cleanser wash
Sanex Zero% Shower Gel for Sensitive Skin 225ml (2 pieces)
Eucerin Urea Repair 5% Urea Replenishing Shower Gel Body Wash for Dry Skin
25% off now
3. Apply a thin layer of unscented moisturizing cream.
After patting it dry with kitchen paper (please do not (use a towel, as the fibers can get caught in the skin wound), and then apply a thin layer of unscented moisturizing cream. Bepanthen (diaper rash cream) is a solid tattoo artist favorite, but what works for me and is recommended by my artist is Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Unscented Moisturizing Lotion. – The artist will tell you which ones they recommend. For her first two weeks, we recommend that she repeat this cleaning process 2 to 4 times a day.
Unscented moisturizing lotion
Bepansen Tattoo Intense Care Ointment 50g
21% off now
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizer Jar with Vitamin E
4. Keep your tattoo clean and dry
Keep your tattoo clean and dry and avoid soaking it in water for at least a month (showers are OK, baths are not). If clothing may rub, cover it with gauze/wrap film and medical tape.
5. Avoid direct sunlight
Avoid exposing your new tattoo to direct sunlight. Healed tattoos, especially colored ones, can also fade in sunlight. So, once fully healed, be sure to cover up with a high SPF if you’re going to be in the sun.
6. Be patient while healing takes place.
Healing time will vary depending on how well your body and skin heals, as well as the size of your design. This can range from about a week for simple, thin line designs to several months for complex, large designs. Continue to follow aftercare instructions as directed by your artist, keep your tattoo well moisturized and clean for several months afterward, and avoid using products that could damage your skin.
7. Run. do not have. itch.
As your tattoo heals, it may crust over or peel off slightly. Avoid pinching as this can remove the ink in the area and cause the patch to fade or be removed completely. If it itch, don’t scratch it. Give it a pat instead…I know it’s hard, but think about the money spent wasted.
This should only last for the first few weeks or so. If it remains swollen, itch uncontrollably, becomes red around the design, continues to bleed for more than a day after the procedure, or continues to feel warm to the touch, please return it to its original state. Consult your artist or seek medical advice. Infected tattoos are very rare, but they can occur, so it’s always worth getting tested if you’re concerned.
8. Return to the studio and revise as necessary.
If the ink runs out, the studio must fix it for free. Bad tattoos and service lead to bad publicity, so it’s in the studio’s interest to make sure you’re happy with the final product. This insurance should last up to a year, but should only be taken out after about 6 weeks, when the tattoo has fully healed.
