Tattoo Aftercare: The Best Tips
If you have a new tattoo, there are a few things you should be aware of, especially in the first days after the tattoo. But also in the long run a certain tattoo care is important. We show you what is important.
Tattoo Aftercare: This is why you should not neglect them!
Tattoos were still considered an “alternative” a few years ago and were rather attributed to certain fringe groups. But meanwhile tattoos have made the leap into the middle of society. In Germany every fourth person between 18 and 29 years owns a tattoo.
As beautiful as tattoos are, the intervention at the tattoo artist also causes wounds or small injuries on the skin, so that an attentive care is indispensable.
Otherwise the following problems with the tattoo may occur:
- Body is attacked by bacteria
- Inflammation or painful wound
- Crusts can develop, from which scars later result
What should I pay attention to immediately after the tattoo?
- As mentioned, tattoo care directly after the tattoo is the most important. The transparent foil that the tattoo artist puts over the sore spot can be removed after six to eight hours to allow air to get to your tattoo.
- Some tattooists also replace the foil with a patch, which you can leave on the wound for up to three days. Then you do not need to worry about any further care measures at first.
- Cream: Apply cream to the skin about twice a day, so that no crusts appear. Before applying the cream, take a fresh shower or soak the corresponding skin area with water and pH-neutral soap. You can use a wound or healing ointment from the pharmacy.
- The wound healing can take up to three months, depending on the size and location of the tattoos. During this time follow the treatment with cream intensively. Cream also ensures that black tattoos become even darker due to the moisture or that fresh, bright colours appear even stronger.
- Be careful at the wound. You should avoid scratching the area so that you do not endanger the healing process. Always disinfect your hands before applying cream.
What should I avoid after the tattoo?
- Too much water: Be careful when bathing. Too much moisture can prevent the wound from healing. Take a shower and use mild shower gel or pH-neutral soap.
- Proper clothing: You should not wear tight clothing on the tattoo at the beginning. This can rub against the tattoos. Put on loose, wide clothing.
- Sports, sauna, solarium: In the first days after the tattoo you should not do any sports or visit a sauna. Sweat and a lot of moisture can additionally irritate the wound. Two weeks later you can resume your training or wellness.
- Sun: You should not expose a freshly tattoo to the sun at all for the first six weeks. Otherwise your tattoo may fade and inflammation may occur. Also be careful in the long term in the blazing sun and always use a high sun protection factor.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C can optimally support the healing of wounds. However, you should avoid alcohol, as it attacks the vitamins.
Tattoo care: Prevention
To avoid crusts and other inflammations, the time of the tattoo also plays an important role. As you should avoid the sun for some time after visiting the tattoo artist, it is recommended to get your new tattoo in autumn or winter.
And swimming in the pool or the sea is also not recommended after the tattoo, so that the summer holiday could be cancelled if you get your tattoo in summer.