Tattoo Aftercare
6 Points To Help Your
Skin and Tattoo Heal Faster
Our Tattoo Aftercare Guidelines
Tattoo aftercare is a crucial step in the tattoo process that often gets overlooked.
The better you take care of your new tattoo during healing, the longer it will last and the higher chance it has to heal without any complications.
In this brief tutorial, we’ll be discussing six practical points to protect your skin, health, and tattoo during healing so you can enjoy your everlasting artistic masterpiece.
Remember; a tattoo isn’t complete until it has healed. This is why taking care of a new tattoo during the healing process is so important. We’re going to go over different ways you can engage in tattoo aftercare in order to make sure that you heal without any complications.
Point One: Tattoo Aftercare Begins Immediately After Your Tattoo is Done
One of the most important points to remember when it comes to tattoo aftercare is that you need a plan in place before your tattoo artist finishes. Waiting until afterward can result in an increased chance for infection, scarring, or other skin problems. Remember, this is a medical procedure. If left untreated long enough, your tattoo can lead to serious, life-threatening health complications.
As soon as you leave the Red Ink Tattoos Studio, it’s time to take matters into your own hands. If you have any questions after reading this tutorial, please contact us immediately.
Point Two: Covering Up Your Tattoo
Upon finishing your tattoo, we will apply a thin coating of antibiotic ointment. We will then apply either a bandage or a plastic wrap. Our artists typically use:
- Saniderm Self-Adherent Wrap
- Saniderm Tattoo Bandage
- Dri-Loc pads
This protective covering is critical! It helps prevent bacteria from entering your pores and skin. Additionally, it shields your clothes from rubbing your tattoo, which can cause irritation.
Generally speaking, you will need to keep this dressing on for roughly one to twelve hours; we’ll provide a time frame recommendation once your tattoo is done. Let’s say you get your tattoo late at night, right before bedtime; in that case, it’s best to leave the bandage on overnight. If you get inked early in the morning or afternoon, you may be advised to leave the bandage on until the nighttime.
The dressing is also designed to absorb any excess ink or fluids that may leak from your tattoo.
ALERT: Keep this dressing applied as instructed and remove it as instructed!
Point Three: How To Remove Tattoo Bandage
The most effective method to pull off the bandage or plastic wrap is during a lukewarm shower; the lukewarm water will loosen and break down the adhesive. After running the water, grab an edge, and gently and slowly peel the bandage until it is completely removed. Next, clean your tattoo area with antibacterial soap and warm water. Remember, do not use, scented or regular soap.
Finally, pat the skin dry with a clean paper towel and allow it to air-dry for at least an hour. Applying a thin layer of moisturizer to the tattoo while leaving it uncovered allows the skin to breathe.
Do not use any lotion or oils while your tattoo is healing, as these may irritate the skin and prolong the healing process. Lastly, avoid submerging your tattooed area in water for at least two weeks.
Point Four: Frequent Cleaning
How often should you clean your tattoo? You should gently wash your tattoo, two to three times daily, using antimicrobial soap and water, and then pat dry with a paper towel. Afterward, apply a thin layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment. Make sure that you do not apply too much as to clog up your pores, which can cause an infection. This routine cleaning process will last anywhere between two and four weeks, depending on how fast your skin returns to normal.
Point Five: Keep Your Tattoo Area Clean
The tattoo you just got is a wound. Anything can happen if that wound is exposed to the dirt or bacteria from your environment. It is important that you not touch the area of skin around your tattoo. Your fingers contain oils and other bacteria which will cause infection, lengthen healing time, or change colors over time. That means always be aware to avoid touching your tattoo except when going through your cleaning routine.
Point Six: When To See a Doctor
The most important factor for successful tattoo aftercare is following the guidelines from the professionals at Red Ink Tattoos. This helps to reduce any complications while making the healing less of a hassle.
Following our guidelines on self-care is your greatest line of defense against irritation, infection and slow healing. Regular (disciplined) tattoo aftercare helps prevent infection as well as keeps both your skin and tattoo preserved for years to come. Having shared these guidelines, there are could be times when a doctor might possibly be required.
The most common reason that a person with a new tattoo needs to see a doctor is to treat an infection.
REMEMBER: If you do not engage in proper tattoo aftercare, your tattoo can become infected with bacteria.
What are the signs of an infected tattoo?
- Your tattoo area may be warm
- Your tattoo area may be painful to the touch
- Your tattoo area may be swollen
- Your tattoo area may be oozing pus
- You may experience shivering
- You may see red lesions around the tattoo area
- You may experience flashes of cold and heat
You should contact your doctor if you experience one or more of those signs.
This concludes our tattoo aftercare guidelines, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.