However, they require much less care. The chance of infection is reduced once the outer layers of skin have healed, as there is no open wound for bacteria to infect. Moisturizing regularly in the months following will help keep the tattoo looking bright and clear. Protecting the tattoo from the sun with clothing while it is healing, and applying sunscreen after it has healed, is especially important in the first few months. At any stage in the healing process, the body may reject an ink color.
If the body is allergic to an ink, a raised and painful rash may form on the skin. To avoid ink rejection, some tattoo artists will do an allergy test with the color in question by applying a small amount to the skin. If it causes a reaction, it is not safe to use. Ink allergies may occur because tattoo ink colors contain many different substances. For example, black ink contains carbon, and red ink contains mercury sulfide. Anyone experiencing a rash on or around a tattoo should visit a doctor, who can identify and treat the rash.
The person may also wish to contact their tattoo artist. Each tattoo artist is likely to have a different recommendation for what moisturizer someone should use. Common recommendations include:. It is important not to use any scented creams or lotions. Harsh chemicals can irritate the wound and damage the tattooed skin.
A person should also avoid using sunscreen on a tattoo until it is fully healed, as this can clog the pores and trap bacteria. Eucerin , Curel , coconut oil , Tattoo Goo , pure cocoa butter , and shea butter are available for purchase online. Tattoos are a lifelong commitment and require some special care to keep them looking good for many years to come.
Tattoo care is simple once the process is understood. However, there are still times when a doctor may be needed. Infection is the most common reason to see a doctor after a tattoo.
If a person does not care for it properly, a tattoo can become infected with bacteria. An infected tattoo will be warm, inflamed, and painful to the touch. The skin may also ooze pus or have a rash.
Blood-borne infections can occur if the tattoo artist used dirty needles or ink. These infections can include:. The most important factor for tattoo care is working with a professional, highly-recommended tattoo artist. This helps avoid any complications and makes the healing process much easier.
Regular care for a tattoo can help prevent infection and keep both the skin and tattoo preserved for years to come. After the tattoo needle punctures deep into your skin, most of the ink is lodged firmly in your dermis - but the rest goes on a journey.
Even with the best aftercare, a bump may form around a nose piercing. In this article, we give you some tips about natural remedies that can help get…. Loose fabric can also detach and get stuck within the skin. If you have time, leave the area to air-dry. Washing your skin often, especially with antibacterial soap, can cause excessive drying. We want to avoid drying out our skin too much because dry skin heals slower than moisturized skin. This stuff works amazingly well during the healing process; not only by keeping your tattoo really well hydrated but also by soothing any annoying itching and irritation.
When using it from the very start of the healing process, this lotion will help to decrease tattoo healing times and work towards eliminating any lingering dryness and scabbing. This can lead to waterlogged scabs and subsequent bubbling of the tattoo. Infection is the most common complication following a tattoo. While you can take antibiotics to clear this up, the lasting legacy of infection is a tattoo that healed improperly.
Poor healing shows in the crispness and quality of your tattoo. To prevent this, get ahead of infection by keeping your tattoo cleaned properly and moisturized. Continue this process for weeks, or until your tattooed skin has completely regenerated and closed up. It is at this point where you can stop washing your tattoo with soap , as it will now be protected by its own layers of skin. A bit of blood under the wrap is completely normal.
Continue using an unscented mild soap when washing. Avoid scratching or picking at your tattoo. As it heals, your tattoo will start to scab over, which is normal. Let the scabs dry out and fall off by themselves, and don't speed up the process by picking or scratching at the scabs.
This can cause the scabs to fall off too soon, which can leave holes or light spots on the tattoo. Keep using moisturizing ointment to combat itchiness if it is a problem. Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight. The harsh rays of the sun may cause your skin to blister and bleach some of the colors from your tattoo.
For this reason, it is best to keep your tattoo covered and away from the sun for at least 3 to 4 weeks until the initial healing is complete. Avoid soaking the tattoo in water. Until your tattoo is fully healed, don't swim in a pool or the ocean.
Avoid soaking in the bathtub as well. Exposing your tattoo to lots of water can pull the ink out of your skin and do damage to the tattoo's appearance. The water may also be carrying dirt, bacteria, or other chemicals that can infect your tattoo. Wear clean, loose-fitting clothing to avoid irritating your tattoo. Try not to wear tight or restrictive clothing on the area with your new tattoo, especially at first.
As your tattoo heals, it will seep plasma and excess ink, which may cause the clothing to stick to the tattoo. The clothing will then be painful to remove and may rip off any freshly formed scabs. First wet the area with water, which should loosen the clothing to where it can be removed without damaging your tattoo. Tight clothing will prevent enough oxygen from getting to your tattoo, and oxygen is essential for the healing process.
Wait for your tattoo to heal before doing strenuous workouts. If the tattoo covers a large surface area or is near your joints such as elbows and knees , it may take longer to heal if the skin is forced to move around too much during physical activity. The movement will cause the skin to crack and become irritated, prolonging the healing process.
Support wikiHow and unlock all samples. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. Michelle Myles. Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3. Kiara Hamed Tattoo Artist. Kiara Hamed. Not Helpful 15 Helpful Which is the best ointment or cream to use for a new tattoo? Very confused as I'm getting different answers.
Not Helpful 14 Helpful Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Check the ingredients on your soaps and lotions to make sure there aren't any artificial fragrances or alcohol in them.
Helpful 18 Not Helpful 3. Use old, clean bedsheets for the first few nights in case your tattoo oozes. Helpful 18 Not Helpful 6. Make sure all of the clothing and towels that you use are clean as your tattoo heals. Helpful 12 Not Helpful 4. You may need someone to help you care for your tattoo if it's in a spot that's difficult to reach. Helpful 11 Not Helpful 7. Revisit the tattoo parlor if your tattoo needs touch ups after you get it.
Helpful 11 Not Helpful Avoid washing your new tattoo with hot water. Helpful 34 Not Helpful 7. Don't shave the tattoo until it's fully healed. If you shave around it, make sure you don't get shaving cream on the tattoo to avoid irritating it. Helpful 28 Not Helpful
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