There’s nothing better than a fresh, well executed tattoo and it’s at it’s very best once it’s done healing and still sharp.
However the finished look and future proofing of your tattoo also depends on how well you take care of it!
Here’s some best practises to ensure crisp, clean, well healed work that stays future proof…
KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN!
Wash your hands thoroughly before and after you clean your tattoo to reduce the risk of serious infection.
Remove the dressing within 1-3 hours and wash with warm water and non-fragranced, antibacterial soap.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel, rather than a bathroom towel, so that you don’t get fabric fibers stuck to your new ink!
Apply a thin layer of your chosen aftercare product. We can recommend several tattoo industry specific products, but the general go-to option is to use Bepanthen – because it’s cheap, effective and can be purchase anywhere.
Yah it’s a nappy rash cream. But if it’s good enough for the greatest tattoo artists in the country then it’s good enough for me! And I always carry some in stock if you forget on the day.
If you accidently go overboard, remove the excess with a clean, dry paper towel.
Repeat twice a day to swerve dryness.
WARNING:
As your tattoo heals, it will begin to dry and form a scaley like layer of scabbing. It will most likely itch like hell and drive you mad, but DO NOT pick, scratch or scrub off any scabbing. Just repeat the above and wait it out. It will heal in 7-10 days.
Wearing clean, loose, breathable clothing helps.
DO NOT expose your new ink to the sun (or sunbeds), submerging in water like hot tubs, swimming pools, lakes, rivers etc… showering is ok.
Tight, restrictive clothing will irritate the wound and hinder the healing.
Although it takes just 7-10 days to heal, feel free to continue to use your chosen tattoo aftercare product as a moisturizer.
Once healed, if you must go in the sun, ALWAYS use a high SPF sunblock on your tattoo.
Sun damage ages tattoos, as does using a sunbed. So if you are heavily invested in your ink, you may want to think about reducing your sun exposure in general. Staying hydrated AND moisturized also promotes good skin health and slow the aging process.
And Finally…
Listen to your artist, not your friends.
Although friends are generally full of the best intentions, they are not educated professionals! Your tattoo artist IS!
Don’t let your friends tell you that it’s ok to use Vaseline on a fresh tattoo for example! (This is the most common one). THEY ARE WRONG.