CORRECT TATTOO CARE: FULL INSTRUCTIONS

Each person, getting a tattoo, seeks to keep it in its original form as long as possible. If the session itself and the quality of the tattoo depends directly on the skill and professionalism of the tattoo artist, then after leaving the studio, all responsibility for maintaining the tattoo falls on your shoulders.

It is important to remember that tattoo care begins immediately after the end of the session. If there are several tattoo sessions, the procedure should be repeated after each one.

After the end of the session, the tattoo artist removes excess pigment and ichor by washing the tattoo site with an antiseptic solution. After that, depending on the agreement and the list of services included in the session, the artist puts a film on the fresh tattoo (usually an analogue of cling film), fixes it on the skin with a plaster and sends you home.

It is recommended to wear cling film no more than 2 hours.

WAYS TO HEALING A TATTOO IN THE FIRST DAYS

CARE WITH SPECIAL FILM.

Progress does not stand still, which means that various types of specialized films for tattoo healing have long been present on the market, which facilitate care for those people who study or go to work during the healing period.

We have already written about such films in one of our previous articles, so here we will only briefly recall it application in practice.

- Specialized tattoo care films are sold in tattoo stores, studios and shops.

- With the film you can take a shower, as it does not let water through. It is important to remember that you should not steam your tattoo.

- The film is breathable. In other words, it does not allow water to pass inside, but allows air to pass through.

- In the first days, liquid may accumulate under the film. This is normal. Do not damage the integrity of the film under any circumstances. By doing this, you can provoke infection. After a couple of days, the wound will dry out without your intervention.

- Depending on the manufacturer, the wearing period of the film differs, on average it is 4-5 days.

CLASSIC TATTOO CARE

The classic method uses more readily available materials such as normal baby absorbent diaper, antibacterial soap, paper towels, and healing cream / ointment.

The sequence of actions for the healing of a tattoo in the first days:

After arriving home, you need to remove the film and rinse the tattoo under running water using a small amount of antibacterial soap. There is no need to apply excessive pressure to the skin when rinsing the tattoo. Rinse off any fluid that has escaped from under the skin with smooth and gentle movements. Do not be afraid, you will not wash out anything extra.

After rinsing, blot the tattoo with a paper towel and let it dry. Rubbing a fresh tattoo is strictly prohibited.

After drying, a healing cream / ointment should be applied to the wound and covered with a baby diaper.

This procedure must be repeated every 3-4 hours for the first three days of healing.

After the tattoo is covered with a thin film (which happens with a sunburn), you can no longer apply the diaper bandage, continuing to thoroughly moisturize the tattoo with a healing cream / ointment.

SUBSEQUENT TATTOO CARE

In the case of using a specialized film, after its removal, the subsequent healing process does not differ from the classical one.

- If itching occurs, never rub the tattoo.

- If crusts form, do not peel them off as this may pose a risk of infection. Just keep applying the healing cream / ointment.

- Continue washing the tattoo with warm water and antibacterial soap 2-3 times per day.

- Use only healing creams / ointments to moisturize. These can be pharmacy creams with panthenol or specialized means for healing tattoos.

- Do not overdo it with the amount of cream / ointment. The tattoo should be covered with a thin layer.

- The whole process will take from 10 to 20 days depending on the size of the tattoo and the place of application.

WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT TO DO DURING HEALING

Avoid direct sunlight during the entire healing process and the next 2-3 months. Despite the fact that after a couple of weeks your tattoo will look like healed, the skin that protects it is still tender and fragile in relation to external influences.

The sun's rays can reduce the brightness of the pigments, which means your tattoo will be paler than you'd like. One of the professional recommendations is when going out into the sun, always cover your tattoo with clothing or apply sunscreen with a high SPF, such as 50+.

You should not steam the tattoo in no case. This excludes hot showers and baths. After the tattoo is completely healed, you can enjoy water treatments again as before.

During the healing of the tattoo, you should not swim in open water bodies or pools in no case. This entails the risk of infection.

In the first and subsequent days of tattoo healing, you should abandon clothing that contains synthetic fibers. They cause steaming and can cause irritation at the tattoo. If you are using the classic method of healing, do not forget to monitor the "leakage" of the dressing. Wearing tight clothing is also not recommended, as it blocks the oxygen needed for healing.

For the time of healing, physical activity should be abandoned. Exercise means: visiting the gym, lifting weights, active physical exercise. Physical activity negatively affects the rate of skin regeneration, which prolongs the healing period of the tattoo.

During the healing period, it is necessary to refrain from drinking alcohol and taking medications from the antiplatelet groups (aspirin, courantil, etc.) and anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin, etc.).

Do not wipe the tattoo with alcohol-based preparations.

HOW TO CARE FOR A TATTOO AFTER HEALING

This information will be primarily relevant for the summer, when we all take off endless layers of clothing and enjoy the sun. But with regard to tattoos, the sun is a real enemy, which you need to be ready for, then the tattoo will delight you for many years.

When going out into the sun, use a high SPF sunscreen or cover the tattoo with clothing. This will keep the original look of the tattoo for as long as possible.

Watch out for skin damage. Deep cuts can compromise the integrity of the design of your tattoo. In this case, you need to contact the master for correction.

Try to avoid contact of tattooed skin with household chemicals.

Eat foods containing vitamin E and drink plenty of water. These include, for example: nuts, avocados, shrimp, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli and vegetable oils. This will help maintain the brightness of the tattoo.