Skin care for tattoos promotes healing, prevents infection and scarring, and ensures longevity. At least 32% of Americans have at least one tattoo on their body, according to Pew Research Center. Tattoos are essentially wounds to the skin, and following a skin care routine that includes moisturizing helps prevent it from becoming dry and flaky, ultimately affecting the clarity and vibrancy of the tattoo’s colors.Â
How do I take care of my tattoo?
Proper aftercare is vital for the healing of your tattoo. As always, don’t hesitate to ask your artist for guidance if you have any questions!
1. Keep the skin clean
According to WebMD, after getting a tattoo, your artist should wrap it in a bandage that will stay on for 24 hours or sooner. Once you remove the bandage, keeping the area clean and hydrated is essential. Gently wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and mild, unscented soap. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the tattoo aggressively. Wash your tattoo at least three times a day and gently pat it dry.
2. Moisturize tattoos regularly
It’s easy for your skin to become dry and flakey after getting a new tattoo, so it is essential that you keep the area moisturized. Bioelements dewluxe for body oil is the best tattoo skin care product to apply on tattoos that melts into the skin without feeling sticky. It locks in moisture, replenishes protective barrier lipids, and delivers natural dew to the skin. Licensed esthetician Sunni Reynolds of Skin By Sunny in MN used different hydrating products on her own tattoos and her clients. “You can make your tattoos brighter using pumice peel and dewluxe for body,” she said. Although these products are formulated for the face, you can spot-use them for tattoo care.
Jojoba, coconut, geranium, and soybean oils are the best ingredients for hydrating tattooed skin. dewluxe for body has all of these key ingredients, plus squalane, sea kale, and a luxurious, aromatherapeutic essential oil blend that will leave your skin glowing.
3. Protect your skin from the sun
You should wear sunscreen every day to protect your skin—regardless of whether you have tattoos! But as tattoos fade over time, applying sunscreen to the area (especially in the summer) will keep the colors bright. “For tattoos, I definitely recommend using raydefense or SPF 50 facescreen,” Reynolds said. “After I apply the SPF to my face, I always rub the extra product on my hands and hand tattoos.”
What happens to the appearance of tattoos when the skin is not cared for?
Poor tattoo aftercare can compromise the quality and longevity of the tattoo, leading to discomfort, complications, and dissatisfaction with the final result. It’s essential to follow proper aftercare guidelines from your tattoo artist and seek medical attention if you notice any signs of infection or other complications.
Some signs of poor tattoo aftercare to watch out for are scabbing and peeling, excessive redness around the area, which may be a sign of infection, dryness, loss of color, and fading. Luckily, there are many tips on how to avoid poor tattoo aftercare. According to Healthline, wearing loose clothing over the tattoo allows the skin to heal and breathe. Wash the tattoo a few times daily, for about 2-4 weeks unless your artist tells you otherwise. And as always, apply sunscreen over the tattoo to prevent scarring and avoid sun exposure to the best of your ability.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/taking-care-of-your-tattoo
