Tattoo Aftercare: Protecting your Skin Art for a Lifetime

Logit Group’s recent research study conducted in Canada found that one-third of Canadians have tattoos, and most have no regrets about getting them. As tattoos are gaining popularity in Canada, it's likely that you or your loved ones either have a tattoo, or are planning to get one.

At Black Brew Tattoo, located in downtown Abbotsford, we understand that getting inked, especially for the first (or the 15th) time, is an exhilarating experience. However, your tattoos need extra aftercare and attention, especially in the first few days, in order to preserve their colour, quality, and longevity. 

In this blog, we will uncover some of the best practices (cleaning and moisturising, avoiding direct sun exposure, products to use, etc.) for tattoo aftercare so that you feel confident when you leave our tattoo studio. 

Step By Step Guide to Tattoo Aftercare 

• Dealing with the Dressing: Once you come back home from our tattoo studio, you’ll have a dressing or a SecondSkin over your tattoo. The second skin can be worn up to 5 days as per manufacturer recommendation.When removing the bandage, it’s always best to soak it into lukewarm water to ensure that it peels off easily. After taking the dressing off, the skin will start to feel dry,  this is because most inks use alcohol (isopropyl) and witch-hazel with distilled water as its a liquid catalyst. Using Lubriderm or Vaseline intensive cream moisturiser helps the overall aesthetics of the tattoo once healed. We also sell aftercare balms that are specially formulated for tattoo care at our tattoo shop.

  
  

• Oozing Liquid? That’s Normal:  Another crucial thing to keep in mind, especially during the first 24 hours is that the body will likely ooze a little bit of liquid, which might just be a concoction of bodily fluids (including but not limited to blood) and ink from the tattoo. This is completely normal, and is your body’s natural reaction to the trauma caused by needles. Dr. Paviol, according to Byrdie.com, says that:

• Don’t Scratch: In 2-3 days, you may notice the tattoo start to scab up. This is natural. As the healing process continues, it may itch. Since your tattoo is still relatively new, it’s best if you don’t scrub, rub, or scratch the area since it can irritate the skin even more. Too much scratching can also lead to bacteria build-up, and if that happens, you may have to pay a visit to a dermatologist (trust us, that’s not fun).
  

• Washing The Tattooed Body Part: When you wash the tattooed body part, especially during the first 2 weeks, ensure that you’re using an unscented antibacterial liquid soap such as Dove or Ivory so that it doesn’t irritate the skin.
  

• Moisturise, Moisturise, and Moisturise: Similarly, it’s also important to apply (ideally) a water based unscented lotion/moisturiser to smoothen the skin after you wash your tattoo with lukewarm water. Keeping the area moist will protect it from cracking, drying, and bleeding. It's recommended to moisturise your skin two to three times daily (every eight to 10 hours) until the scabs have fully healed (Source: MadRabbit.com)
  

• Tattoos Don’t Like Sunlight: Protecting your tattoo from the direct sunlight is also pivotal for maintaining its vibrancy and longevity. UV exposure can cause the ink to fade prematurely, which is something that no one would be happy about.During the initial healing process, it's essential to keep your tattoo completely covered when you’re going outside. Ideally, you should try to wear loose, breathable clothing that covers the area, and avoid direct sunlight exposure as much as possible. Again, moisturising with a scent-free sunscreen would be a great long-term habit to inculcate in your daily tattoo aftercare routine.
  

• Avoid Large Water Bodies: For the next 30 days after (depending on stage of healing), do not use hot tubs, swimming pools, lakes or oceans and limit any exposure to the sun. In fact, just refrain from swimming all together. 

• Trust Your Instincts: Lastly, trust your instinct if you think something isn’t right. If you notice any signs of infection, allergic reactions, redness expanding much further from the tattooed area, fever, etc. then it’s probably best to drop by a local clinic to find out what’s going on. These medical complications are usually rare, but they can happen. 
  

By following the comprehensive steps outlined in this quick guide, you now have the knowledge and tools to properly care for your new tattoo and ensure its longevity. Remember, taking care of your tattoo is an evergreen process. By consistently following a gentle cleaning and moisturising routine, protecting your tattoo from excessive sunlight and addressing any other potential issues that may arise, you can peacefully enjoy the journey of self-expression and the satisfaction of seeing your tattoo age gracefully alongside you.

Looking for a place to get your next tattoo in Abbotsford? Read more about why you should visit our tattoo studio.