A first tattoo usually brings with it a lot of questions. It is a serious decision for a lifetime. In order for a tattoo to always be an adornment of your body, it must be properly taken care of, otherwise it may not look aesthetically pleasing.
The care of a tattoo in the first days after it is applied has a big impact on its later appearance. Getting a tattoo violates your epidermis and is a kind of wound that needs to heal well so that the ink stays in its deep layers. That is why proper care is so important while the tattoo is still fresh. How it will look later depends on this.
After the tattoo is applied, the tattoo artist will disinfect the skin in the area where the tattoo was applied. He or she will remove any remaining petroleum jelly and put a foil over the tattoo to protect it from damage. The foil should be removed no more than 3 hours after the tattoo, so that the wound can start breathing. This has a great impact on the healing process.
After removing the foil you should wash the tattoo with cool water. You can use a specialized product for washing tattooed skin or ordinary gray soap. Then you need to dry the skin with a paper towel, touching it and not rubbing it. Avoid scented towels. Apply a thin layer of cream or ointment to the dried tattoo. You can use a specialized tattoo cream or bepanthen. Lubricate the wound 3-4 times a day and always after washing. It is a good idea to wash it 2 to 4 times a day.
While the tattoo is healing, it is good to take care of proper recovery. It is good to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Do not drink alcohol during this time as it dilutes the blood and can slow down the healing process. Since you’re getting a tattoo for life, it’s a good idea to take the best care of it during this time and skip the Friday night wine
Your body regenerates best during sleep, which is why getting enough sleep is so important. Make sure to sleep in clean sheets so that your tattoo does not come into contact with bacteria. If your tattoo is leaking blood or plasma, change your bedding daily. While you usually sleep with pets, while your tattoo is healing, don’t let them
Tattoo healing is a process that takes up to several weeks and is divided into stages. In the first stage, the wound is visible. During this time the skin is heavily reddened and may bleed. In the first few hours after the tattoo is applied, the tattoo may be slightly protuberant.
This stage should be completed within the first week. Touch the tattoo as little as possible during this time. Wear loose clothing and be careful not to irritate the wound. During the second week, the skin may itch and peel slightly, but do not scratch it under any circumstances. If the itching is persistent, apply ice cubes wrapped in a cloth to the area. During this time, do not forget to moisturize the skin and lubricate it with creams. This is a normal occurrence during the wound healing stage.
From the third week the tattoo is completely healed, but it still requires proper care. You still need to take care of its regular oiling. During hot weather avoid exposing it to UV rays. Especially for the first month avoid sun exposure of the tattoo. Then it will bleach quickly and become less intense. The sun affects the movement of ink particles and visually damages the tattoo. Therefore, if you already have to go out, cover your tattoo or apply a sunscreen with 50 SPF.
If you dream of keeping your tattoo looking like new forever, don’t forget to take care of it. Unfortunately, usually bright colors fade much faster. Also easy to damage are tattoos that are in areas exposed to frequent rubbing, such as wrists, elbows, fingers, feet. They can lose their appearance faster in these areas.
Main photo: Lucas Lenzi/unsplash.com
