Tattooing is an external intervention in the body and injury to the skin. Therefore, the healing process is as important as the process of tattooing. How your tattoo will look in the future largely depends on how you take care of it.
Care of a fresh tattoo in the first days
Like any wound, a tattoo can bleed, swell, and ooze. On the first day after the procedure, this is a natural reaction of the body. You should not be afraid of this.
After the tattoo session, your tattoo will be covered with a special protective film (second skin), which must be removed between 1 and 3 days (according to the recommendations of the tattoo artist). The film is removed when dry. It is necessary to catch the edge of the film and pull it in the opposite direction so that it is in a stretched position. Do it carefully and slowly.
After removing the film, it is necessary to carefully wash the tattoo using antibacterial soap, without a washcloth or other aggressive interventions, wipe it with a napkin, and apply a moisturizing cream.
Tattoo care in the first days after removing the protective film involves the following procedures:
- 2-3 times a day, wash the tattoo with warm water using antibacterial soap (do not rub, do not steam);
- let the skin dry, absorb the remaining water with a napkin (without using a towel);
- apply a moisturizing wound-healing cream to the skin.
At the same time, you must constantly protect the tattoo from contamination, infection, and mechanical damage, and also completely avoid sunlight/ultraviolet rays from entering the tattoo.
It is also recommended to wear loose clothing that will not touch and/or tightly press the tattoo.
Care of a tattoo in the following days
If the care for the tattoo was done correctly in the first days, after 3-4 days the tattoo will be covered with a crust. This is a natural process of skin restoration that lasts from 10 to 15 days, depending on the size of the picture, the area of application, and the individual characteristics of the body.
The crust cannot be peeled or scratched. This can lead to damage to the tattoo.
For the next 10-15 days, the tattoo should be washed twice a day, then dried with a napkin and smeared with cream in the same way.
Post-healing tattoo care (a month after the session) involves constant regular protection from the sun with products with a protection factor of SPF50 and moisturizing.
What is strongly not recommended to do after a tattoo session
- swim in open water/swimming pool;
- to steam the tattoo in a hot tub, bath, or sauna;
- to scratch the tattoo, tear off the crust, rub with a washcloth;
- to get a sugaring/hair removal procedure;
- to sunbathe in the sun/solarium;
- excessive alcohol consumption is not recommended;
- actively play sports – excessive sweating has a bad effect on the tattoo healing process.
Caring for your new tattoo is important, but so is your own health. You should consult a doctor if the temperature rises above 39 degrees, the swelling has spread directly to the picture, or an allergic reaction has occurred.
Tattoo care products:
To care for a fresh tattoo, you need to use special products that accelerate healing and disinfect the tattoo at the same time. Such products include:
- Antibacterial soap (Protex, Dettol, or any other antibacterial! soap).
- Bepanthen cream.
- To care for the tattoo after its complete healing, you should use an SPF 50 sunscreen.
Please, note that the healing and regeneration process in each organism proceeds differently, therefore the information presented above is averaged, has a recommendation nature, and does not guarantee high-quality healing of the tattoo due to the individual characteristics of each organism.