How to Take Care of Your New TATTOO?

By: Lisa Washington

Are you the proud owner of some new ink and in need of some tips for caring for a new tattoo? Caring for your new artwork is important since you want to avoid any infections, scarring or blotchiness. So with that said, let’s go over some essential tips on caring for your gorgeous new tattoo and keep it looking healthy.

1. Leave Your Bandage on Overnight

The first tip for caring for a new tattoo is to leave your bandage on overnight. Some will say you only have to leave it wrapped for a few hours but fresh ink has a tendency to slightly bleed off the area and onto sheets the first night so it’s a good idea to keep it covered.

2. Keep It Clean

The next tattoo aftercare tip is to keep your tattoo clean. Most reputable tattoo shops will clean and cover the tattoo prior to you leaving the shop then it’s up to you to keep it clean. Wash your tattoo with cool or lukewarm water and a mild antibacterial soap and pat or air dry. Avoid letting the water directly hit your tattoo to prevent discomfort and irritation. The best way to look at it is to treat it like a burn- be delicate, keep it moist and clean and protect it!

3. Protect

After washing the area, the next new tattoo tip is to protect it. You’ll want to apply some ointment and allow it to breathe by keeping it uncovered. Depending on where your tattoo is, you may or may not be able to keep it uncovered. If your tattoo is going to be covered by your clothes, you’ll probably want to apply a bandage or cellophane to avoid friction and keep it protected.

4. Bandage Change

If your tattoo happens to still require wearing a bandage, changing it is the next tip for caring for a new tattoo. You’ll want to change your bandage 2-3 times per day and continue to wash it and apply the ointment. With most tattoos, after 3-4 days it should be healed enough where you won’t need to keep it covered and only a thin layer of ointment is necessary to keep it moist. Remember to only keep it covered when you need to protect it, you want to allow it to breathe!

5. Shun Sun

I know we’re in the fall so the next tip for caring for a new tattoo shouldn’t be much of an issue, but it still warrants a mention. Avoid exposing your new tat to the sun or in chlorinated or salt water for at least a month after you get your tattoo to avoid bleaching it out. Once it's totally healed, apply sunblock to protect it from the sun's rays.

6. Don’t Be Picky

Tattoo aftercare rules dictate that if you happen to get some minor scabbing, don’t get picky! They should fall off on their own after 7-10 days and picking at your skin can cause infection, scarring and can lead to blotchiness or possibly damaging the tattoo. So remember to leave the scabbing skin be and let the tattoo heal naturally.

7. Don’t Use Lotion

One of the top tips for caring for a new tattoo is to avoid using lotion. These topical treatments might seem like the most logical choice but ointments like Neosporin can dry out ink, and lotion should only be used after the tattoo has healed over to keep skin moist. Once the tattoo has initially healed, use lotion for at least a month to keep skin moist.

I hope you find these tips for caring for a new tattoo helpful for you! There are many factors that will determine the care necessary for your new tattoo and the very best thing to do is to listen to your tattoo artist’s instructions. These preceding tips apply to most tattoos but the artist’s technique, the size and location of the tattoo can definitely affect some of the aftercare instructions. I hope you’re enjoying your new tattoo! Do you have any aftercare tips?

Shaving Over a New Tattoo

By: Karen L. Hudson

When is it Safe to Shave Again?

If you've got a new tattoo, especially if you are a woman, the question is going to come up as to when it's safe to shave again. Of course, guys might need to know, too, depending on where they got the tattoo and where they usually shave.

When you get a tattoo, the area will be completely shaved before it's applied, so at least you're starting off with smooth skin. After a couple days of stubble and bristly skin, the urge to shave can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, at this point, shaving is about as brutal on your tattoo as a weedwacker. The wound is still fresh, and especially if you have any scabbing or raised areas, you run the risk of damaging your artwork by running a razor across it. Chemical hair removers are just as bad if not worse - you never want to put anything like that on a fresh tattoo.

Of course, you can shave the area around the tattoo. Be sure any and all creams, gels and/or hair follicles are cleaned away from the tattoo immediately afterward, and then apply your ointment or lotion as directed by your artist.

So, when is it safe to shave again? Your tattoo will go through several different stages, one of the last being the peeling stage. Once the peeling has finished, your skin will start to regenerate and produce a new protective layer over your tattoo. Once this new layer has appeared, it is usually safe to shave again. Depending on your tattoo and your own body's ability to heal, this can take anywhere from 5-10 days in most cases. Do this simple little skin test to see if it would be safe for you to shave:

Close your eyes and run the tips of your fingers across and around your tattoo. Are there any bumps? Raised areas? Hard scabs? The tattoo should feel the same as the skin around it - if you can tell where the tattoo begins and ends or feel any skin irregularities, you might need to wait a little longer.

Sometimes a tattoo can remain raised slightly for as long as a couple months. This can be very frustrating and itchy to the wearer. In this case, if the tattoo is completely healed with no open sores or scabs, an electric razor is you best option. Even a chemical hair remover would be better than a blade, but be sure to leave it on for the minimum time required to remove the unwanted hair. If you must use a blade razor, exercise extreme caution. Your tattoo is so close to being successfully healed - the last thing you want to do now is open it up.

Once a tattoo is completely healed, you can shave just like normal without worry.

 

Tattoos and Tanning

By: Karen L. Hudson

The Sun is Your Tattoo's Worst Enemy

The Lure of the Sun

Warm weather and the desire for a beautiful golden tan means one thing to many people - sunbathing. OK, I'll admit it. I've always been a sun worshipper. To me there is nothing like the feeling of warm rays soaking into your skin as you bask away all the stress and worries of the day. You'd never know that looking at me now. Why? Because of my tattoos. 

Sun Exposure

It's no secret that tanning isn't really good for your skin anyway, but it's even harder on your tattoos. Ultraviolet rays, while adding a nice bronze tone to your skin, drain the life out of a tattoo. The more you tan, the more the ink fades and slowly goes from brilliant to boring.

Does that mean your tanning days are over? Well, I guess that depends on how much you love your tattoos and want them to stay bright and looking their best. I can certainly empathize with anyone that also loves the sun and just can't stay away. If you absolutely must go soak up some rays, at least be sensible and use sun block. Find the highest SPF level you can find and re-apply often if you're going to spend a lot of time outside. If you just can't accept having pasty white skin and your goal is to go out and get some color, make sure you at least protect your tattoos with as much sunscreen as possible. 

Tanning Beds

What about tanning beds? Indoor tanners are just as damaging as the sun, if not more so. The ultraviolet rays are much more concentrated and people tend to over-expose themselves in tanning beds, not realizing their own limits. Burning the skin damages a tattoo even more than slowly tanning. Again, if you must do it, protect your ink! 

At Risk?

If you don't like laying out in the burning sun or getting a tan, does that mean you're not at risk? Maybe not. Most of us spend more time exposed to the sun than we realize. Ever get home and find your left arm sunburned from resting your arm on your car window while driving? Or find yourself getting tan lines just from running errands or working outside? Any time that your tattoo is going to be exposed to the sun, cover it! You can cover it with clothing or sunscreen, or stay in the shade. 

Brand New Tattoo

Don't put sunblock on a new or fresh tattoo - follow your artist's aftercare instructions and keep your tattoo covered or shaded with clothing for the first few weeks. You can use sunblock once your tattoo has finished peeling and has grown it's first protective layer of skin. But sunblock alone is not going to be sufficient for a new tattoo if it is exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. A tattoo is usually considered well-healed after about 3 months. 

Sunless Tanning Lotions?

If you use sunless tanning lotions for a tanned effect, this is as safe to your tattoo as applying any other type of lotion. As long as the tattoo is completely healed, nothing can hurt the tattoo that doesn't hurt the rest of your skin. However, depending on the shade and color of the particular sunless tanning lotion you use, it may create an odd effect to your tattoo's appearance. It would make more sense just to avoid putting the lotion directly over the tattoo. 

Don't be a Gambler

Your tattoo is an investment, so don't gamble on that investment by not properly caring for it. It takes very little effort to either cover up or safeguard your tattoo with sunscreen. Proper care can keep a tattoo looking vibrant for years to come.

 

When Is the Best Time of Year to Get Tattooed?

Most people think of getting a tattoo in the spring and summer, when it's hot out, they're wearing shorts and tank tops and wanting to show off more flesh. Then when cooler weather comes around and the long sleeves and long pants come out, the idea of getting tattooed fades away.

Cool Weather Months are Best
But actually, fall and winter are the best time of year to get a tattoo. Why? First of all, you and the artist are going to be a lot more comfortable. Although tattoo studios have air conditioning in the summertime, it's hard to keep them cool in a business where doors are constantly being opened. During the winter the studios are much more temperate and it's a lot easier for the artist to concentrate when they don't have to keep wiping beads of sweat from their brow.

Another good reason is to consider the healing. The less exposure your skin gets to the elements, the better off your tattoo will be to heal. Sweat can aggravate a new tattoo and so can the sun. During the winter, your body isn't exposed to these things as much and tattoos can heal much more quickly without as much chance for infection.

Appearance is also a good reason. During the healing process, your tattoo goes through a few "ugly" stages - scabbing, peeling, the works. If you get your tattoo during the colder months, it will be covered up during this healing process and by the time summer rolls around - your artwork will be completely healed and ready to show off!

Waiting time is another thing to consider. The winter is the slower season for most studios, which means you won't have to wait behind a bunch of people to get your artwork done. During the busier season you can wait as much as 2-4 hours while the artists are busy with other customers, or you may even have to get on a waiting list. Artists are not nearly as rushed during this season and it is easier for them to give you their undivided attention.

One Caveat to Keep in Mind
One downside to getting a tattoo in the wintertime is the chance of colds, flu and other viruses. These illnesses can drain your immune system and make it more difficult for your body and art to heal. Not to mention that your artist probably wouldn't appreciate you passing along any germs to them. It is important that you take vitamins and keep yourself healthy, especially if you are considering getting a tattoo during this time of year. If you are showing any signs of illness, wait until you are feeling better before you make your appointment. Vitamins that are known to boost your immune system are C and Zinc. Please consult your doctor and see if these vitamins could be helpful to you.

When summer arrives and you start pulling out your shorts and tank tops again, you'll be all set to show off your new body art!