After Care for your Tattoo

Congratulations on your first tattoo! The healing process is the second last step, followed by the touch up session, before your tattoo completion!

There are uncountable articles on how to heal your tattoos properly. Instead of telling you what I think works, I will share with you the process in which the tattoo heals and steps you can take, or is widely advertised to take, during that process. You will have to be the judge of your skin & ink conditions to apply the proper steps.

Flickr: Will Keightley

Depending on the type, style, size and placement of the tattoo, a good gauge of 7-10 days will allow the wound to heal. To have the ink completely locked in your skin, a good month will do the trick.

Stage 1: Wrap and bleed

Flickr: Sarah-Rose

Once tattoo-ed, you will get a wrap around the tattoo to stop the bleeding and prevent infection while the open wounds are still prevalent around the skin. Depending on the size and how much you are bleeding, you can leave the wrap on or take it out to let your skin breathe: 1) Small tattoos, lesser or no bleeding – 1hour 2) Bigger tattoos, lesser or no bleeding – 2hours 3) All tattoos, obvious bleeding – 3-4hours Now that you have allowed ample time for the wound to heal, remove the wrap and clean the tattoo. Depending on how big your wounds are: 1) Wash down with cold water 2) Wash through with basic soap/ medial soap 3) usage of a clean wet towel/tissue to go over it * avoid hot running water (it opens your pores) Next, you can choose to let it air or wrap it up again, depends on how much better you believe your skin will heal and, most of the time, dependent on where the tattoo is. Avoid all contact with clothing, sun and try not to exercise for a period of time to prevent the pores on your skin to open up. It is best to let your tattoo air as much as possible for it to heal naturally.

Do not panic when: 1) Ink seeps out while cleaning, it is normal. You are not wiping your tattoo off. 2) Skin swells up. Unless it starts bleeding and feels sore after a whole day, it is the normal swelling your skin reacts to after getting poked by numerous needles.

Stage 2: The Scab

Tatring.com, Anne

In the normal process of healing, scabbing will happen as a natural reaction and remedy for your open wounds. Very similar to the scabs you get when you fell in the park and grazed yourself. This time, you need to take extra care so as not to disrupt the tattoo.

You can now start to normally wash your skin as per how you would before the tattoo was there. It will be itchy when dry but DO NOT scratch it directly.

You can care for the tattoo by: 1) Wash with anti-bacterial soap (if your tattoo feels healed up) 2) cold water with basic soap (if it is not fully scabbed) 3) Skip scabbing process by miraculous healing 4) Apply moisturiser and keep the skin hydrated

Do not panic when: 1) Scabs fall out on their own, it’s normal. 2) Your scabs deform your tattoo, its normal. Once the skin settles and excess scab falls off, your tattoo will be there fully healed under your new skin.

3. Fully healed and touch ups

Inkspire - Kai Xuan

Now that your tattoo is fully healed up the only thing left is to look at which parts were not able to heal as well and get the lacking areas touched up! Improper care or rash compromising actions will affect how your tattoo heals.

At this point, remember to still care for the skin with extra caution as it is technically new cells. You can: 1) Moisturise. 2) Continue to avoid sun and extremely hot water.

I hope this helps you understand the healing process and aftercare methods you can take after your tattoo. Everyone is different and it is up to you to find the best method for the healing process.

About the Author:

Kai Xuan is a tattoo Enthusiast looking to spread the good word on the rising art form. Instagram: @kaiawesomexuan

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