A freshly made tattoo takes a lot of care. For the first few weeks, your tattoo should be pampered because it is a raw sore on your skin. It is therefore necessary to provide it with maximum hygiene, hydration and sun protection. How to do ? We give you lots of good advice to take care of your tattoo properly.
Congratulations! If you are reading this article, then you just got your first tattoo and the torture session is over. So, you are probably wondering how to take good care of this brand new tattoo. Now it is going to be your beauty accessory for your whole life. You know, your skin has just been put to the test on a particular and certainly sensitive area of your body and it is up to you to pamper it as much as possible.
Indeed, tattoos require, in particular, attention and care, especially the first 45 days after their completion so that healing is optimal. Which ointment or moisturizer to use and how often? What clothes to wear when leaving the tattooist so as not to irritate your tattoo? Should you limit your exposure to the sun throughout your life? We give you some tips so that you bring the maximum protection to your design and use the best products. You also need to learn how to hydrate it as well as possible, especially if it is in color. If you take all of our advice, it will age well over time.
At the tattoo artist, what care will be given to me?
Before tattooing you, your tattoo artist will first disinfect the area of your skin that is ready to be marked. Then it will proceed to work. Once his work is completed, he will place a bandage on your skin. There are several types of dressings. Tattoo artists use the ones they find most effective for tattoo hygiene. In general, a sticky and transparent film is applied to the tattoo to allow faster healing of the "ink zone", ie the inked area. He won't get any ointment on it until he puts that little piece of plastic on you. This film prevents the formation of scabs but also prevents the wound from becoming infected and the ink from smearing. You should remove it after a few hours and carefully.
Do not panic if you do not know the products to use for tattoos, you will be given a note at the end of your session which will summarize all the hygiene procedures and care to be adopted. Remember your tattoo artist is there to give you all the advice you need. Don't hesitate to ask him questions.
Hours after tattooing, be extra vigilant!
The care of your tattoo is very easy: hygiene and hydration! For starters, the first thing you need to do every time you go about handling your tattoo is wash your hands well! For the first few days your tattoo looks like a wound since the needle has scratched the skin. This is a necessary hygiene measure so as not to bring in bacteria. Then, in general, it is recommended to let the tattoo air dry and not cover it.
Once you have removed your small transparent bandage, you will need to wash it with clear water and neutral pH soap, morning and evening. This last information is very important because the soap must not attack the skin! Neutral pH soap or gel are products that contain no perfume, parabens or dyes. Most often, the shower gel that is in our bathroom has a basic PH. Take a good look at your product label before using it on your tattoo! If you don't have the right soap, go to a pharmacy. In addition, the pharmacist can give you advice in choosing your soap. Then moisturize your tattoo several times a day, in a very thin layer but, we repeat, wash your hands well beforehand.
Then, if your tattoo was done in a place that touches the clothes, avoid wearing too tight clothes that could rub the tattoo and infect it. Very importantly, never smother your tattoo. He needs to breathe during the first ten days of healing which are the most important days for a tattoo. Total healing of the tattooed skin will take place after 45 days. This is when you can go to your tattoo artist for a touch-up. This touch-up will be free because it is included in the initial price.
Please note, it is important to remember this, especially in summer, do not put your tattoo in the sun during the 45 days scars and don't bathe it in water either. Avoid showers that are too long to dry your tattoo as quickly as possible. The shower must be very quick, so you don't want to wash your hair for hours. If possible, do not get your tattoo wet. Obviously, baths in fresh water, in swimming pools or in the sea are to be avoided when you have just had a tattoo. The damage could be irreparable and you will bite your fingers for life. The same goes for sports sessions, they should be avoided for a month.
The tattoo should be kept as dry as possible, and salty sweat on your skin can be harmful. Tattoo artists go will warn of prolonged humidity on tattoos.
Which cream should I use to treat my tattoo?
There are all kinds of moisturizers that can be used to treat your tattoo. Applying the cream several times a day helps prevent scabs from forming. Scabs are your enemies because they are the ones that will smear the ink on your tattoo when they fall. Once the scabs have appeared, it is important not to touch or scratch them. You may cause your tattoo to bleed again. So for the best moisturization, you can use balm, ointment or even oil. For this you can go to the pharmacy, there are many items that will satisfy you.
Hydration is important so that the tattooed ink does not have a cracked appearance. The product used is just as much. First, the oil is a great beauty add-on for your tattoo. Thecoconut oil is particularly recommended by professionals. It is one of the flagship articles among tattoo artists. Argan or sweet almond oil can also be applied. You will have to repeat this treatment several times a day for many weeks. Many use vegetable oil as a facial or hair beauty product. If the composition is pure, you can also use it for your tattoo.
For those who are more fan of the balm, no problem. The wax in the balm gives it a stronger appearance than oil and ultra soft and hydrating. To apply it, it will not be necessary to use tons. Just run your clean fingers over your balm and apply it to your tattoo. The skin where the tattoo is located should just be a little oily and not buried under tons of cream.
Your tattoo is now a beauty asset on your body, like your nails, your hair, it should not be neglected.
What to do after my tattoo heals?
After the time for your tattoo to heal, don't expose it to too much sun. We strongly recommend that you apply an index 50 sunscreen to your tattoo for life. In addition, some have a moisturizing virtue. Your tattoo should absolutely not take color during your tanning session! If you do not apply this beauty gesture your tattoo will turn green, and it is irremediable … He has something to listen to our advice! The more care you take with your tattoo, the more beautiful it will be. So we understand that on the beaches you want to expose your body to the sun. Tattooed skin hate UV rays like your body and your face finally!
A bad sunburn can leave traces for life. If you still want to sun the pill in the sun, cover your tattoo while you are in the sun with a gas or a bandage. Bring the maximum protection to your tattoo. Whether in gel, cream or spray, do not neglect the danger of the sun.
To make a quick summary of all our advice : wash your tattoo well, do not neglect hydration, protect as much as possible from sun exposure, do not put a protective film on it and avoid exposure, extend to water. With all these tips in hand, take care!
Take the best possible care of your tattoo or tattoos. Again, getting a tattoo is lifelong and it looks better if the result does not move on your body. It’s best if your colorful “For Mum for ever” does not move an inch, otherwise you may not be able to read your love message.
Shopping: creams to adopt during healing
- Dexeryl, skin dryness, superficial burns, 500 grams, 10.70 euros on pharmasimple.com
- Bepanthen 5% Ointment , 30 grams, 4.60 euros on pharma-gdd.com
- Cicaplast, La Roche Posay, Healing B5 Gel, 40ml, 9.50 euros on nocibe.fr
- Coconut oil, Vita Coco, 50Ml, 5.50 euros on nocibe.fr
Read also: 30 minimalist tattoos to finally take the plunge