Your guide to the best tattoo aftercare
You want to make sure you’re looking after your new tattoo as well as possible after you get inked, to leave you with a tattoo that’s well-healed and vibrant. There are lots of things to remember to do to make sure your tattoo heals up nicely, and also certain things you should avoid.
What to expect after getting inked
Fundamentally, your new tattoo is an open wound, and as such it needs time to heal up and recover. You might find at first that your tattoo is swollen, red, irritated or sensitive and it may even look bruised. This irritation to the skin will usually subside within five days to a week. You’re likely to experience some scabbing or skin peeling whilst it heals. Make sure you DON’T pick at the scabs or dead skin- this can damage the tattoo and leave it looking uneven or washed out.
What to do first
Once your new tattoo is finished, it will be wrapped in cling film to help it heal and reduce the likelihood of scabbing. You should leave this on for about four hours, and you may want to re-wrap it overnight so that you don’t get ink on your sheets. You might notice that there’s a build-up of ink and plasma under the cling film. Don’t worry- this is totally normal and a sign that the tattoo is starting to heal.
The first week after your get a new tattoo is when you are at most of infection, and to avoid this it’s crucial that you keep the tattoo as clean as possible. I’d recommend short showers until your skin has completely healed.
How to take care of your new tattoo
Make sure you always wash your hands with soap and water before touching your new tattoo. Then follow the steps below to clean the area regularly (2 -3 times a day):
Use a fragrance free, anti-bacterial soap and warm water to clean the plasma and excess ink from the whole area.
You don’t want to scrub too hard, just gently use the pads of your fingers in a circular motion to avoid damaging the tattoo.
Rinse your tattoo off and then gently pat dry. It’s important not to rub at the tattoo. If you want to reapply some fresh cling film, let your tattoo air dry for 3 - 5 minutes before doing so.
When to apply cream to your tattoo
In the 24 - 48 hours after getting your tattoo, you should start applying a thin level of cream every time you wash it. This will speed up the healing process by preventing infection, keep the tattoo moisturised, and soothe the inflamed skin, preventing itchiness and irritation.
Some creams I’d recommend include:
E45 cream
Coconut oil
Benpathen or another nappy rash cream
Palmers cocoa butter
What NOT to do
There are some things you should avoid doing whilst your tattoo is healing:
Having your tattoo in direct sunlight- stay out of the sun or wear clothes that cover your tattoo.
Submerging it in water- you can clean your tattoo and get it wet with short showers, but you shouldn’t be soaking it in the bath or going swimming for at least two-to-three weeks.
Wearing tightly fitted clothing- wear something that won’t rub against the tattooed area.
Applying irritants- stick to a basic fragrance free moisturiser (not Vaseline.)
How to know that your tattoo is healing properly
If you look after your tattoo properly, then it should be fully healed within 4 weeks. Within the first week you should notice that it stops being so tender, and there will likely be some slight scabbing. By the end of the second week, there should no longer be any signs of swelling, redness or irritation. Even if your tattoo appears to be fully healed, you should still continue to follow the routine of washing and applying cream to your tattoo for the entire four weeks.
