What’s the best aftercare for a tattoo?
When you follow aftercare instructions your tattoo will be happy!
tattoo by @searchandenjoy
Whether it’s your first tattoo, or you’re nearly covered, it’s always a great topic to talk about proper aftercare of your new tattoo. You’ve invested time, money, and pain into this thing, you might as well take care of it so it looks beautiful for life!
Now, there is a caveat with aftercare information out there - it’s defintly not one size fits all - some clients do best with certain aftercare products than others do, but we’re going to dive into what we generally tell our clients.
Why does aftercare matter?
Tattoo aftercare matters because the act of tattooing is a traumatic experience for your skin, we’re using a needle to puncture your skin and insert ink into your dermis (the second layer of your skin), so your skin needs help to heal as best as possible! Tattoos are an open wound, so improper aftercare can lead to infection, scarring, and not desirable esthetics of the tattoo you just sat through.
Do I have to do aftercare?
We are defintly not going to follow you home to make sure you’re following aftercare instructions, BUT, we have years of expereince in tattooing, getting tattooed, and seeing our clients healing to be able to feel pretty damn confirdent that ya, aftercare is essential to healing your tattoo. But again, you’re an adult and you can do whatever you want once you pay up and take off - just know that we can’t avoid the complications that arrise with improper aftercare, that’s all on you!
What are some of the “Dos” of aftercare?
Keep bandage on for at least 2 hours; no longer than overnight. Make sure that your sheets are clean and that your pets are off of the bed.
When washing your tattoo for the first time, take a hot shower and cleanse the tattoo gently with your hand and Dial unscented soap.
After showering, apply a hot compress with a clean washcloth and hold it on top of your tattoo for at least ten seconds; this will break up the plasma in your blood and lead to less scabbing overall.
Gently pat dry your tattoo after cleansing with a clean towel.
Only use unscented moisturizers like Lubriderm, which can be found at any RiteAid or Walgreens.
Limit sun exposure, UV rays break down pigment and cause fading of your tattoo. After you’re healed, make sure to wear SPF 30+ or cover your tattoo with
clothing.ALWAYS wash your hands before touching your tattoo, so that means wash your hands first, THEN wash your tattoo.
Wear loose clothes until your tatto is healed - tight clithing can cause friction/blistering.
What are some of the “Don’ts'“ of aftercare?
Do NOT aggressively scrub or irritate it while cleansing, don’t use a loofah or washcloth (gently cleansing will clean off any residue of ink/bandage/blood/plasma.)
When applying moisturizer, make sure you’re not using too much - a thin layer is sufficient and you don’t want to saturate it to the point that it can’t breathe.
Your tattoo will itch, peel/flake, or possibly scab. This is normal. Do NOT pick at or scratch your tattoo. Even if it scabs! As long as you go about your normal cleaning routine and apply hot compresses, it should heal fine.
Don’t take baths, go swimming, or otherwise submerge your tattoo while it’s healing (generally 2 weeks).
Limit exercise or any other activity that will make you sweaty and elevate your internal temperature for 2-3 days.
Don’t receive any other procedure until you’re fully healed. Your body’s working overtime on healing, so you don’t want to overload your immune system by getting a flu shot or another intense procedure like a chemical peel until you’re done healing your tattoo. Your body will thank you and you’ll heal better!
Do not spray tan or apply self tanner until tattoo is fully healed.
Don’t shave until your tattoo is fully healed. Shaving razors can harbor bacteria, and also shaving over a wound is never a good idea, right? Right.
Is Dry Healing A Tattoo Bad?
The dry healing method is a controversial one—some people swear by it, saying that moisturizers can trap bacteria in the wound, but if you use caution by always washing your hands, using clean towels always, and using an appropriate moisturizer as we mentioned above, we absolutely support and prefer “wet” healing.
There’s definitly some downsides with dry healing (basically not doing anything during the heal haha).
Dry healing may cause:
Itching - Dry skin leads to itchy skin, especially when healing. Itchy skin leads to the temptation to scratch or pick at the area, and this may cause scarring, impact the design, and cause bacterial infection.
Tight Skin and Scabs - Dry skin often becomes tight and cracks, forming scabs that can distort your tattoo.
Infections - The most common bacterial infections that tattoos develop are streptococcus and staphylococcus. Keeping your tattoo clean and moisturized soothes dry, healing skin and has best results.
How Long Does It Take A Tattoo To Heal?
The epidermis (the outer layer of your skin that you can see) usually heals within 2-3 weeks. Your dermis (the skin underneath, where your tattoo is actually located) can take up to 6 months to fully heal. The healing process occurs in stages and can vary for different people. Applying the above Do's and Don'ts of tattoo aftercare can help the process!
How Do You Know If You Have An Infection?
Improper tattoo aftercare can lead to infection, so listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
See a doctor immediately if you develop any of the following uncomfortable symptoms:
Excessive redness, bumps, or rash
Excessive pain or irritation
Blisters or boils
Oozing pus (remember, a tiny bit of plasma oozing is OK, but pus is a sign that your body is fighting off an infection)
Chills or fever
If your tattoo shows any of these signs, see your doctor immediately because it may be the sign of an infection. Doctors generally treat these conditions with antibiotics or steroids, so it is important to see a doctor ASAP so you can start treating your tattoo.