AFTERCARE
Are you planning on getting a new tattoo, or have you already gotten one and want to know the best way to take care of it? Well, you’ve come to the right place! First and foremost, always follow the directions of the artist who applied your tattoo. They know what is best for healing their art. With that being said, this is the most modern and broad guide for tattooing aftercare. Any reputable tattoo studio should have similar directions. Although they may vary in terminology/techniques, the directions are fairly simple and most will relate to this guide. As mentioned above, a professional tattoo artist will know best how to care for their art as technique, size, placement, and ink saturation of the tattoo may vary from artist to artist. The number one rule no matter who has done your tattoo tends to be the same across the industry: WASH YOUR HANDS WITH ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR TATTOO! Also, drying your hands with a clean towel is very important. There are many materials to properly dry one’s hands with, but one should try to be a sterile as possible. Clean paper towels will suffice. The number one mode of transmission of bacteria and other foreign bodies to your tattoo is dirty hands. Dirt, dust, hair, germs, etc. don’t just jump on to your skin. Now if you are in a contaminated environment that may be possible. You must treat your tattoo like a wound which it technically is one by definition. If you are receiving help from another person to help reach areas you cannot like a back tattoo, the same rules apply to them. Honestly, if it is a large tattoo it wouldn’t hurt to use disposable gloves. Washing your has become a great hygienic practice in the modern world which makes it the number one safeguard in tattoo aftercare. Wash your hands-Don’t be gross.
1. Rule number one, always wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching your
fresh tattoo.
2. If a second skin bandage was applied to your tattoo always leave it on the recommended
time which will vary due to the artists instructions and size of the tattoo. Waterproof
second skin should be kept as clean as possible. Removing the second skin should be
done with caution and very slowly. It’s best to peal slowly from a corner and pull down
and out. When washing your tattoo, avoid submerging, baths, and generally staying wet
for long periods of time. When washing in the shower, try not to let the water directly hit the tattoo. The more you irritate an open wound the longer it may take to heal. Wash the
area above and let the water gently flow off of it. Lather your antibacterial soap in your
hand and then gently massage the tattooed area. Thoroughly rinse by letting the water
run off of it. You may see residual ink and plasma rinse out. Don’t worry if your tattoo
was properly applied; water and soap will not rinse away the tattooed ink. Your tattoo
should be washed twice a day and whenever it has been soiled from sweat or other
compromising environmental factors.
3. For the drying process, use a dry, clean towel. Paper towels work just as well. When
drying, pat the tattooed area and surrounding area to absorb large beads of water and let
the rest air dry for about 5-10 minutes. Sometimes applying ointment to wet skin may be
counterintuitive and make the skin soggy. Some artist suggest not putting any ointment
up for the first 24-48 hours. This gives the tattooed area a chance to clot and naturally
repair itself without the complications of over moisturizing.
4. After 5-10 minutes of air drying, apply ointment by massaging a small amount to the
tattoo. Choice of ointment is very controversial and as mentioned before your artist will
recommend what is best for healing your tattoo. It is best to use a less generous amount,
just enough to create a light sheen which will later disappear from being absorbed by
your skin. Too much ointment can become a magnet for dirt, dust, bacterial, etc. Most
importantly, the ointment is not only keeping your skin hydrated it is also creating a
barrier. Just like washing your tattoo, ointment should be applied at least twice a day.
With all the advances in tattoo aftercare, petroleum based products have become
unpopular and are actually not recommended. However, those who are allergic to
multiple ingredients found in alternative aftercare lotions/balms have benefited from
using Aquaphor sparingly. If you have sensitive skin it is best to stick to no alcohol and
non scented lotion. More popular natural aftercare ointments like Hustle Butter seem to
be more beneficial due to the added ingredients that help with soothing and hydrating
qualities. Your body will naturally repair the tattoo by itself, but cleaning it properly and
lightly moisturizing has shown to aid in a less itchy and reduced scabbing healing
experience.
5. The whole process above should be done for at least 2 weeks. It’s best to keep your new
tattoo out of the sun and covered when chances of contaminating the area are high such
as dirty/dusty environments. As your tattoo heals and the skin no longer weeps or peels
from scabbing, it is safe to start using sun block when exposed to UV rays. SPF 45 and
above should keep you protected. The sun is the number one culprit in destroying the
vibrancy/boldness of a tattoo old and new! When in doubt keep the tattoo covered with
your clothing. Also, avoid wearing tight clothing. If/when your tattoo starts to scab, do
not pick or scratch it. Picking and scratching at scabs can prematurely pull the ink out and introduce bacteria to the healing area.
To sum it up, always wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching your fresh
tattoo. Depending on the size, area, and if help is needed by another person, using disposable non latex gloves is not a bad idea. Treat your tattoo like a fresh wound since essentially that is what it is. Don’t over doctor it and let it breathe when you can. The tattoo will heal all by itself on its own, but the steps from above can help eliminate a bad experience. Avoid strenuous activities that may stretch the freshly tattooed skin. Also, try to avoid sweating heavily so that the tattooed area doesn’t become overly moisturized and complicate the delicate healing process. Be mindful not to bump or scratch your tattoo, that can also hinder the healing process. Wear sunblock or UV blocking clothing when necessary. You have paid your artist to skillfully and carefully apply your tattoo, now it is your turn to protect your investment. Daily maintenance with lotion, drinking water, and good diet will also help you enjoy your permanent body art for a lifetime!
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To purchase a recommended aftercare kit please visit:
https://www.barnabashenderson.com/product-page/hustle-butter-complete-aftercare-kit
Smaller/travel size ointments and other brand options are available in store.