So you just got a tattoo — congrats! Time to focus on aftercare. If you want your tattoo to age gracefully, the next few weeks are extra important to make sure it heals properly.
Your tattoo artist will kick-start your aftercare routine as soon as their work is complete. After all, this is their masterpiece, and they want to preserve its beauty. They’ll likely apply a thin layer of petroleum-based ointment over your ink and then cover it with plastic wrap or a bandage.
While you might want to gaze at your new addition (or run your fingers over it), resist the urge. A tattoo is basically an open wound, so keeping it covered (and your hands away from it) prevents bacteria from getting into your skin.
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Plus, depending on where the tattoo is on your body, keeping it covered will prevent your clothes from rubbing against it and causing discomfort and irritation.
The biggest mistake people make with new tattoos? Not using sunblock and exposing the tattoo to sunlight, says New York-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.
Your healing process will be as unique as your tattoo itself. Bigger tattoos will likely take longer to heal, as will those that rub against clothing. All the tattoo aftercare tips we share below are normal parts of the healing process.
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“It is very important to use a protective ointment that would have no irritating chemicals in it, ” explains Green. “The goal of using an ointment after a tattoo is to let the scab heal and provide a layer of emollient to allow this healing to occur.”
The ointment provides a protective barrier that slows healing just enough. You know that uncomfortable tight feeling that happens when a scab dries out? That can signal that your skin is pulling together as it heals — which is not what you want when you have a lovely design inked on your skin.
But not nearly as well as when you use a healing salve and keep the area covered, ” says Green. “Using the right product can make all of the difference, and it allows the healing to be better — faster is not better in this case.”
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What kind of ointment do you put on tattoos? There’s no single one that’s best. But read the ingredient list and keep these tips from Green in mind:
Looking for an affordable, natural way to keep your tattoo protected? Look no further than your kitchen. Coconut oil is a super popular tattoo aftercare product.
The oil is a natural analgesic (pain reliever) and has anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing properties, so it makes sense to use it on your newly inked skin. Make sure you choose virgin coconut oil, which is solid at room temp, over refined versions that are liquid.
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So you did everything right, but your new tattoo just isn’t healing. When should you talk to your tattoo artist or doctor? Here’s a rundown of three common but unpleasant side effects.
“If you start to feel heat or that the area around the tattoo is pulsating or swollen, you may have an infection, ” says Green.
“This is a sign that the infection from the tattoo is systemic and needs oral antibiotic treatment, ” says Green. “Another sign is a greenish discharge from the treated tattoo and a smell like old sweaty socks.” (That’s the sign of a serious bacterial or fungal infection that needs prompt attention.)
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Tattoos involve injecting a foreign substance into your skin, and your skin doesn’t always take kindly to the dyes, pigments, and metallic compounds in inks. You may experience a pruritic (itchy) rash, which can be a sign of an allergic reaction to the dye, explains Green.
The most common reactions are to red dye, Green says. Yellow, black, red, and blue inks can cause “a photosensitive allergic reaction from the tattoo’s interaction with sunlight, ” she adds.
“Some allergic reactions resolve in a few weeks, and other more severe reactions can last for many months, ” she says. “It is important to consult a dermatologist to evaluate the reaction and help treat this condition.”
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For mild allergic reactions, she says you can “apply cold compresses to bring down the swelling, take an oral antihistamine like Zyrtec or Benadryl, and apply a topical cortisone cream to reduce the local inflammation.”
Scarring and fading can happen if you don’t take good care of your tattoo as it heals. These side effects are why Green emphasizes applying sunscreen to tattoos — and why you should keep them moisturized as they heal.
Fading and scarring are also common reasons some people decide to have tattoos removed, a procedure that dermatologists like Green can perform.Getting a new tattoo is always exciting, from first one and on to the one hundredth. It never gets boring. And before getting a tattoo, for most people they will spend a great amount of time choosing a tattoo design, which may also involve a lot of input and direction from your tattoo artist.
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But the work is not over. After leaving the tattoo shop, it's now time to get your fresh tattoo healed properly. And this is where I see many people ignore the fact that their bright new tattoo is an open wound. And if this wound is not treated properly, the fresh, bright looking new tattoo, will lose it's potential luster once it fully heals. This is speaking from first hand experience.
1. Never re-wrap your Tattoo - If your tattoo artist covers your new tattoo with plastic cling film or a padded bandage, make sure to remove it after the first 2-3 hours, and do not apply it again. Re-wrapping your tattoo will cut off oxygen and suffocate your skin's ability to breathe, leading to poor quality healing and damaging your ink. Leaving your tattoo sealed without oxygen exposure can cause pus formation and infection, ultimately damaging your tattoo. Now if your tattoo artists uses self-adhesive tattoo films like Saniderm or Dermalize, make sure to follow their instructions from each company's website. These medical grade bandages are breathable and excellent for tattoo healing. They provide a protective waterproof barrier from germs, bacteria, dirt or sweat while allowing oxygen to pass through and heal your ink, while locking in your body's natural moisture. They also allow you to live without the risk of damaging your tattoo from rubbing your tattoo on clothing or other surfaces. No more waking up in the morning with your ink stuck to the bed sheets. We recommend using these types of films to protect your new tattoo during the first 7-10 days of healing. After then, start applying Inked Ritual Tattoo Care 3-4 times daily for the next couple of weeks, to finish the tattoos healing process.
2. Never touch your tattoo with dirty hands - Well this sounds obvious, but I’m sure many people seem to forget just how dirty their hands can be. Remember, your freshly tattooed skinis open wound that can be extremely at risk of infection for the first 7-10 days.
Tattoo Aftercare Information
3. Never wash your tattoo with hot water - Your skin is very sensitive during healing, and running hot water over the newly inked skin, can cause irritation and your pores to open, potentially causing unsettled ink to leak out. When washing your tattoo, lightly rinse your tattoo with lukewarm water, and never soak it while in the shower.
4. Never use fragrance or alcohol-based soaps - These products contain ingredients that can irritate your skin during the healing phase. Artificial fragrances cause rashes, irritation, and itching. Alcohol-based products are very irritating to open wounds and will dry out your tattoo, leaving it at risk to damage, improper healing and premature fading.
5. Never wash or scrub your tattoo with a cloth or towel - During the tattoo healing phase, only use clean hands to wash your tattoo. In a circular motion, gently and lightly rub the tattoo area with lukewarm water and antibacterial fragrance-free soap, then rinse off with lukewarm water. Use a clean towel or paper towel and gently pat the tattoo area dry, never rub your tattoo when drying it.
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6. Never use petroleum or mineral oil-based products - Thick anti-bacterial ointments like Aquaphor, A&D Ointment, Bepanthen, Bacitracin, Neosporin or Vaseline contain toxins like petroleum and mineral oil. These popular anti-bacterial products will suffocate your skin during the healing phase. They can damage your tattoo by pulling ink out from your skin. Sure, they may work great for diaper rash on a baby’s ass, but not something that should ever be used to heal a new tattoo. So, you may be asking why do people use these products? Simple, they're cheap. Be aware that some artists are old school and don’t like change. If your artist recommends any of these products, you might want to think twice, and politely say no thanks. Times have changed, and we are much wiser now when it comes to skincare and toxins. There are much cleaner and better options, so why take the risk. Bottom line, these products are not made for use on tattoos, and they can negatively impact your tattoos future. Sure, people will say that their tattoo healed fine
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