Tattoos have been used for various reasons for centuries, from cultural and traditional purposes to personal expressions of creativity.
However, getting a tattoo is a big decision, and it comes with significant responsibilities, including managing your health. One crucial aspect of this involves taking care of your skin after getting a tattoo.Â
This article discusses why your tattoos need a skincare routine, as well as how to look after your skin after tattooing or tattoo removal.
What Happens to Your Skin After a Tattoo?
After getting a tattoo, your skin goes through various stages of healing, which depend on multiple factors, such as the size and complexity of the tattoo and your skin type.
Initially, your skin will be sore and probably red or swollen because the tattoo artist would have used needles to inject ink into the skin’s dermis layer.
Naturally, this process creates wounds that prompt the body to heal and create the tattoo’s permanent coloration.
Over the next few days, your skin may scab or peel as it reacts to the injury. Although this is a normal part of the healing process, you should avoid picking at the scabs or scratching the tattooed area.
Such actions can remove the ink, cause infections or affect the healing process, leading to unsatisfactory results.
Why Your Tattoos Need a Skincare Routine
Your skin is the largest organ in your body and serves as a barrier between your internal organs and the environment. Therefore, taking care of your skin after getting a tattoo is vital.
A skincare routine helps keep the skin healthy, prevent infections, reduce scarring, and maintain the tattoo’s vibrant color. So here are some tips for taking care of your skin after getting a tattoo.
Tips for Skincare after Tattooing
Follow the tattoo artist’s aftercare instructions.Â
Of course, aftercare instructions vary depending on the tattoo artist, but some common tips apply to all tattoos.
- Keep your tattoo dry, especially for the first few days.
- Avoid touching or rubbing the tattooed area.
- Apply a moisturizing ointment to the tattooed area regularly.
- Avoid exposing the tattooed area to direct sunlight or tanning beds.
These instructions will help prevent infections, moisturize your skin, and promote proper healing.
Use gentle products
When you get a tattoo, the skin can become sensitive and prone to irritation and scarring. Therefore, you should avoid harsh products such as exfoliants, scrubs, and soap that can damage the skin’s natural barrier.
Instead, you should use gentle products such as fragrance-free lotions, moisturizers, and mild soaps that help keep the skin hydrated and soft.
Protect your tattoos from the sun
Exposing your tattoos to sunlight can fade the colors and make the ink look dull or jagged over time. Therefore, it is essential to protect your tattoos from the sun.
Use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 on the tattooed area and reapply frequently, especially if you plan to stay outdoors for extended periods.
Tips for Skincare after Tattoo Removal
Tattoo removal is a complex process that involves various techniques such as laser, dermabrasion, and surgical excision, among others.
However, regardless of the method you choose to use, the skin goes through a healing process similar to tattooing. Below are some tips for skin care after tattoo removal.
Follow the removal specialist’s aftercare instructions
After your tattoo removal, your specialist may give you some pointers to consider when handling your tattoo area. Some of them include:
- Keeping the treated area dry for the first few days
- Refraining from picking or scratching the treated area
- Applying a topical ointment as prescribed by the removal specialist
- Wearing appropriate protective clothing to prevent infections and UV damage.
Use gentle products
Like tattooing, tattoo removal can also make the skin sensitive and prone to irritation and scarring, especially if you had tattoo removal with saline.
Therefore, it is essential to use gentle products such as fragrance-free lotions, moisturizers, and mild soaps that help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. This is especially true if you have sensitive skin.
Avoid direct sunlight exposure
Exposing the treated area to direct sunlight can prolong the healing process and increase the risk of scarring, discoloration, and other skin damage.
Therefore, you should cover the treated area with clothing or apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 when going outside.
Conclusion
Getting a tattoo or having a tattoo removed requires time, patience, and careful consideration. Afterwards, it is crucial to maintain a skincare routine that helps keep the skin healthy, moisturized, and vibrant.
Using gentle products, following aftercare instructions, and avoiding exposure to direct sunlight can reduce the risk of infections, scarring, and other skin damage.
Ultimately, healthy skin means a more attractive and long-lasting tattoo for years to come.
Jean Smith is a fitness enthusiast and blogger who focuses on fitness and a healthy lifestyle. She is passionate about assisting people in living healthier lifestyles and is constantly on the lookout for new and creative methods to stay fit and healthy. Her articles are excellent resources for anyone interested in improving their health and fitness.