Right care for a new tattoo

Tattoo Care/ freedigitalphotos.net

A tattoo is a beautiful body adornment which lasts a lifetime. Tattoos are fast gaining popularity as it is an innovative way to express yourself. Recent tattoo trends are 3D tattoos, shaded ones, superimposed and also some which have piercings on them too!

Proper aftercare of a new tattoo is as crucial as creating a tattoo. A tattoo after engraving becomes a wound and just like any open wound it is important to take care of your tattoo to minimise the risk of bacterial infections and to keep it lustrous in the long run.

Here are few instructions to keep your healthy, glowing and bright:

  • Avoid touching the new tattoo unnecessarily. touching exposure the wound to germs and ups the changes of infection.
  • Keep the tattoo away from direct sunlight. Cover it with a bandage of cloth to keep it away from sunlight. Always wash and dry your hands before and after touching your tattoo.
  • Gently wash it with an antiseptic soap and warm water for next few days and use a tissue to blot out the water. Never use a harsh towel or rub on the tattoo.
  • Avoid petroleum based creams (eg Vaseline) and use baby oil or an antibiotic cream. Usually your tattoo artist will give you an after care cream do invest in one.
  • Stay away from swimming until a new tattoo is fully healed as chlorine can interact with the tattoo dye pigments and cause skin irritations.
  • Do not drink alcohol the day before or on the day of getting your tattoo because alcohol thins blood, causing more bleeding, which will draw out more tattoo ink from your skin. resulting in a light coloured tattoo.
  • If your skin is scabbing never peel it.
  • Please refrain from scratching or picking at the tattoo.
  • It is normal for the tattoo to become very itchy during the healing time, so don’t get worried.
  • Keep the tattoo moist to avoid forming a scab.
  • Avoid getting the new tattoo waxed for a month or so.