Getting a tattoo is fun. But what occurs after you leave the studio, like Ace Tattooz is perhaps more important. Proper tattoo aftercare helps your skin heal, maintains the ink looking bold for years and stops infections.
This is a week-by-week guide on tattoo healing, including information on supplies, hazards and how to care for your tattoo in the long term.
Tattoo Care: Week by Week
Week 1: The Fresh Stage
Your tattoo is new. The artist will put a bandage or wrap over it. For the period they suggest, keep it on.
Take off the cover, wash your hands and then wash the tattoo with warm water and soap that doesn’t have any scent. Use a gentle towel to dry it off. Put on a thin coating of ointment that your artist recommends.
For the first several days, the tattoo may leak plasma and additional ink. It’s also typical for the area to be red and uncomfortable. By the end of the week, little scabs may start to emerge. Don’t scratch or pick at them.
Week 2: The Itchy Stage
Your tattoo will begin to flake and scab. It could look dull or faded, but that’s normal while it heals. Don’t give in to the impulse to scrape off the flakes.
Use mild soap to wash the region once or twice a day. Instead of ointment, use a light lotion that doesn’t smell. This helps stop the itch and keeps your skin from being dry.
If the tattoo stays particularly red, puffy or painful, go to your artist or a doctor. Proper tattoo care at this stage can prevent infection and speed up recovery.
Week 3: The Flaking Stage
By now, most of the scabs should be gone. Your tattoo could still feel dry or uncomfortable. Put lotion on every day.
Don’t wear tight clothes over the area to keep it from rubbing. Don’t swim, use hot tubs or take long baths. The skin is still weak and needs to be protected.
The design is starting to look clearer this week, but the deeper layers are still part of the tattoo healing process.
Week 4: The Settling Stage
Your tattoo’s surface is mostly healed by now. There may still be some dry spots, so keep moisturising until your skin feels smooth again.
Healing will continue for two to three more months below. Don’t let the tattoo get direct sunlight during this time. After your artist confirms it’s safe, put on sunscreen. UV radiation can make colours less bright and designs less clear.
Taking Care of Your Tattoo for a Long Time
You still have to take care of your tattoo once it heals. To maintain your ink fresh and bright, just follow these simple steps:
- To maintain your skin’s health, moisturise every day.
- Drink enough water to help your skin repair and stay young.
- Wear sunscreen and clothes to keep the sun from hurting you.
- Don’t change your weight suddenly, as this can stretch the design.
Long-term tattoo aftercare keeps your ink looking new for years.
Best Products for Tattoo Aftercare
- For soap, use a mild soap like Dove Sensitive Skin.
- Moisturisers that are light and don’t have a scent, like Cetaphil or Lubriderm.
- Stay away from petroleum-based products like Vaseline. They hold in moisture, which could change the ink.
Choosing the right products makes tattoo care much easier and more effective.
Is it Possible to Dry Heal a Tattoo?
Some folks select “dry healing,” which means they don’t use moisturiser. It can make the skin quite irritated, but it lowers the risk of inflammation. There is no indication that it works better than regular tattoo aftercare. Always listen to what your artist says.
Possible Problems with Healing a Tattoo
- Infection: Pus, acute pain and redness that spreads are all signs.
- Allergic reactions: Some inks, especially red ones, can make you break out in rashes or pimples.
- Scarring: Picking at or scratching scabs can leave marks.
If you see any of these issues, get medical treatment. Poor tattoo healing can leave lasting damage if ignored.
What You Should Remember
A tattoo is more than just flesh art. It is a cut that needs to be taken care of. You can help your tattoo healing progress, keep it from getting infected and keep it looking fresh with the appropriate aftercare. If you take care of it, it will last a long time.
FAQ
Aftercare begins as soon as your artist removes the bandage. From that point, gentle cleaning and moisturising are important.
Most tattoos only need to stay covered for a few hours, though some wraps can be left on overnight. Always follow your artist’s advice.
Clean the tattoo with mild, fragrance-free soap, dry it carefully and apply a light layer of lotion or ointment. Keep it moisturised and avoid scratching.
Avoid sun exposure, swimming, long baths and tight clothing until the tattoo has healed. Picking at scabs should also be avoided.
