Nurturing Your New Tattoo: Essential Aftercare Tips
Getting a new tattoo is incredibly exciting. You are probably spending most of your time trying to figure out which design you want and choosing the right tattoo studio where you’d like to get it. However, you must also consider how to care for your new tattoo once you get it. When you have this information ahead of time, you’ll know how to properly care for the tattoo and what to avoid doing.
There are some important guidelines to follow after getting a tattoo. This is going to be a permanent fixture on your body, so you must start taking care of the tattoo from the moment you get it. If you don’t, you run the risk of blurring outline work or getting an infection, which can damage the tattoo. Use the tips listed below to make sure that you keep your tattoo looking as good as new right from the get-go.
Healing with Nature
Nature is your friend when it comes to a new tattoo’s healing process. Make sure that your tattoo gets enough oxygen and make sure the tattoo does not come into contact with many products containing complex ingredients. Keep the area clean and well-moisturized during the healing process and be prepared to let nature take its course. Your body wants to heal, so give it the time to do so.
Listen to the Tattoo Artists and Leave it Covered!
Your tattoo artist will probably tell you to keep the dressing on the tattoo for 3 to 4 hours after it has been completed. Although you may be tempted to take it off to show friends and family or to take a picture of the tattoo to add to your social media account, resist the temptation for now.
Remove the Dressing
After a few hours, you should remove the dressing gently and wash the area using unscented soap. You may also consider using a soap that foams since the lather is gentle and soft. Blot the area dry with a clean paper towel and then allow the tattoo to air-dry. Resist the temptation to put on some type of ointment for healing and instead let the tattoo continue to dry overnight.
On the 2nd day, clean the tattoo, allow it to air-dry, and then apply healing ointment. Some of the good products for tattoos that are currently on the market today include:
Tattoo Goo
Aquaphor
Hustle Butter
Follow this routine twice a day until you see a scab forming. Usually, a scab will become apparent in about 3 days. Continue to follow a daily cleaning and moisturizing schedule. At this stage of the healing process, you can start to use lotion but make sure that it is unscented and doesn’t contain a lot of ingredients. Use this lotion until the scab falls off. Once the scab is gone, you can consider your tattoo to be fully healed
Avoid Sunlight
Keep your tattoo away from sunlight until it is fully healed. Do not apply any type of sunscreen during the healing process but make sure that the tattoo is covered by clothing. If the tattoo is in a place where it can’t easily be covered with clothing, you can cover the tattoo with a bandanna.
Avoid Soaking Your Tattoo
Most tattoo artists will advise you to avoid taking a bath, swimming or getting your tattoo wet under a shower until it has fully healed. You can use water to clean it but then it should be dried right away and only a minimal amount of water should be applied. Keep this in mind when it’s time to schedule an appointment. If you’re planning a beach vacation, get your tattoo done after your trip.
Don’t Scratch!
When the tattoo starts to scab, it also starts to itch. You’ll need to resist the urge to scratch or pick the tattoo. If the itching is intense, you can tap on the tattoo gently. If you think that there is a possibility that you will scratch the tattoo when you’re sleeping, you may want to apply an adhesive antibacterial wrap before lying down for the night. Just make sure that you take it off first thing in the morning.
Keep Your Hands Clean
An essential part of keeping your tattoo free of infection is making sure that you are handling it with clean hands. Be sure to wash your hands before taking off the tattoo dressing, washing the tattoo, and applying lotion. Regular handwashing during the healing phase is critical.
Take Care of Yourself
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It’s important to take care of yourself during the healing phase to make sure that everything goes as planned. Your skin needs to be well-nourished and the best way to make sure that this happens is to eat well and exercise. If you compromise your health, your skin will feel it too. Not taking proper care of your skin can slow down the healing process, so consider your lifestyle choices as part of your healing maintenance routine.
After the Healing
Once your tattoo has healed completely, you’ll still want to take special care of it to make sure that the colours remain vibrant. Feel free to exfoliate the tattooed skin and then apply a good moisturizer over the area. Protect your tattoo as you would your skin by keeping it moisturized and protecting it from the sun using sunscreen. Also, remember that the sun can fade a healed tattoo over time so keep your tattoo protected from the sun as much as possible as the years go by.
Best Toronto Tattoo Studio
Tattooing has become more popular in Toronto in recent years than it ever has been before. When you’re looking for a great tattoo studio in Toronto and want to get a new tattoo or touch up an older one, we are the experts you need. Please visit our website now at www.hontattoo.com to see what we can do for you. You will fee why people are calling us best tattoo shop in Toronto!
Taking care of a fresh tattoo is like caring for a small piece of art on your skin. After leaving the studio, make sure to follow the aftercare instructions carefully—clean it gently, moisturize it regularly, and keep it away from direct sunlight. It’s almost like maintaining a beautiful space, similar to how guest rooms need that special attention to detail to make them welcoming and comfortable. Just like a well-kept guest room, your tattoo will look its best if treated with a bit of care and patience. And remember, the healing process is part of enjoying the final, stunning result!
Caring for a new tattoo is just as important as choosing the design. After leaving the studio, make sure to keep it clean and moisturized with a fragrance-free lotion. Avoid direct sunlight and soaking in water for the first few weeks to prevent fading. Personally, I like to think of the healing process as a kind of day retreat for your skin—giving it time to rest and restore. Being mindful during the healing period not only preserves the tattoo’s look but also ensures it becomes a part of you smoothly. Take it slow, follow aftercare instructions, and your tattoo will thank you!