What you need to care for a tattoo. How to care for a fresh tattoo to maintain its color. Features of tattooing

You can find a lot of information on how to care for a tattoo, but for some reason many people neglect the advice of tattoo artists, believing that the worst is over. You need to remember that proper tattoo protection can not only extend the life of your tattoo, but also keep it in such a form that you will never cease to be proud of it. Caring for a tattoo is no less important information than knowing the origin, meaning or meaning of the tattoo itself.

It should be understood that a professionally created tattoo does not cause any complications and does not pose any health hazard. However, tattoo care is essential, especially during the healing stage.

Information about how to care for a tattoo should, as a rule, always be provided by the artist who gives you the tattoo, however, there are so many opinions, so each artist has his own recipe for tattoo care.

How to care for a tattoo

How to care for a tattoo? - this is the first question that should be discussed with the artist, even before the tattooing process itself begins, because proper healing will require certain efforts, which may possibly disrupt your normal rhythm of life. Having learned how to care for a tattoo, you can choose a more convenient time to apply it (possibly a vacation).

Immediately after completing the tattoo, an antibacterial protective agent is applied to the affected area. tattoo cream and apply a bandage (usually cellophane film). The bandage prevents the fluid from drying out, the fluid coming out of the wound at first, and the formation of a crust, which promotes the fastest healing and does not allow the paint to come out along with the ichor.

Typically, the bandage is not removed for 3-12 hours, depending on the nature of the work and the level of skin trauma. After removing the bandage, the tattoo should be washed with “miramistin” or with warm water and soap, then (without wiping, but after getting wet!), after drying, apply a thin layer recommended by the artist tattoo cream. The cream should be applied daily, 3-6 times (especially the first three days), after removing the old cream with a damp cloth soaked in miramistin.

Tattoo care it also implies a careful attitude in which dirt should be avoided on the surface of an unhealed tattoo.

Bandage or cover a tattoo, believing that it is tattoo protection, in no case is it possible, since the wound must breathe. It is recommended to wear loose, roomy clothing that does not cause mechanical damage to the tattoo due to friction. To avoid allergic reactions, it is advisable to exclude synthetics and silk.

Despite the fact that the tattoo may itch and itch during healing, look swollen and reddened, you should not pick it, soak it or tear off the film.

During the first three days, it is advisable to avoid alcohol consumption and heavy physical activity. Baths, baths, saunas, swimming pools, solariums are the worst enemies when healing a tattoo, and you need to avoid them for a while. It is recommended to use a short shower, after lubricating the tattoo with thick baby cream or Vaseline, which prevents water from penetrating into the wound. After a shower, cream or Vaseline is gently removed with a damp cloth and applied as recommended by the specialist. tattoo cream.

After 10 days (with normal healing), you can freely use your usual cosmetics, creams and even scrubs.

Tattoo care should be carried out throughout life, remembering that the sun's rays have a detrimental effect on it. Before going to the beach or solarium, it is recommended tattoo protection in the form of a regular sun protection cream. Otherwise, the tattoo may fade, fade, and renewal will be required much earlier than expected. The more powerful tattoo protection, the longer your tattoo will have its original appearance.

Tattoo care cream

Regeneration stimulator

Manufacturer: Solko Basel P.Z., Switzerland

It is a deproteinized hemodialysate obtained from the blood of dairy calves. Contains white petrolatum and cholesterol, due to which it activates the transport of oxygen and nutrients, facilitating their absorption by cells. Increases cell regeneration and stimulates intracellular energy metabolism. It is recommended to apply jelly (gel) to wounds with wet discharge, and ointment to dry wounds. Apply a thin layer to a cleaned wound 2 times a day.

Colorless antiseptic cream with a cooling effect.

Manufacturer: Roche, Switzerland

When applied to superficial wounds, it protects against infections, suppresses infectious processes and promotes healing. The cream contains chlorhexidine, which is an antiseptic (active against bacteria present on the skin or in wounds, suppresses infection). Accelerates the formation of new tissue and soothes pain thanks to its cooling effect. It is easy to apply and wash off, not greasy, and does not stick to clothes.

Manufacturer: Infamed, Russia

It has a pronounced bactericidal effect against viruses and bacteria, and has an antifungal effect. Effectively prevents wound infection by activating regeneration processes. A colorless, transparent aqueous solution, odorless, forms foam on the surface when shaken.

Manufacturer: JADRAN Co., Croatia

Ointment intended for external use. A drug that improves tissue regeneration. A synthetic derivative of lantothenic acid, which is a water-soluble B vitamin necessary for carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. The beneficial effect of the drug is manifested in reducing itching and improving skin healing processes in various dermatoses. The drug is approved for use without a prescription.

Tattoo Goo “Original” is specially created for the speedy healing of tattoos. Natural ingredients soften and soothe the skin by quickly absorbing and promoting healing, while also allowing the skin to breathe.

Ingredients: olive, sunflower and lavender oils, wax, wheat germ oil, tocopheryl acetate, rosemary extract, vitamins B and C. Gentle for sensitive skin and daily use. The lotion does not contain alcohol, petroleum, lanolin, mineral oils or fragrance.

Manufacturer: Dragon Inductries (USA)

With natural ingredients and vitamins A, C and D, it perfectly cares and protects the skin, created specifically for healing new and caring for old tattoos. They do not clog pores, keep colors bright for a long time, and do not leave stains or odors.

Manufacturer: Clay-Park Labs, USA

Ointment. Antimicrobial drug for external use. Prescribed for minor cuts, scrapes and burns. It is used in the treatment and prevention of secondary infections of post-traumatic and post-surgical wound surfaces or for cosmetic procedures. Like all of the above drugs, it is used when prescribed by specialists. Remember that you must follow the precautions specified in the instructions.

The tattoo artist has finished his work and now you are the happy owner of an excellent (or not so lucky, as luck would have it) tattoo. The master treats the “wound” on your body, applies a protective bandage and releases you on your way.

From now on, how the tattoo will look after healing will depend only on you! Failure to follow the tattoo care rules in the next two weeks can turn your tattoo into a shapeless “portac”, and can also be dangerous to your health.

How to care for a tattoo immediately after application

When can the bandage be removed?

In the salon, the artist “packs” your tattoo in cling film or in a baby's absorbent diaper (the latter is preferable). Recommended time for wearing a protective film bandage - up to 4 hours. An absorbent diaper differs favorably from ordinary cling film in that it absorbs blood, ichor, plasma and pigments, and can also be worn up to 12 hours. In any case, you need to check the wearing time with the specialist.

There are also special professional healing films that are glued directly to the tattoo and worn until complete healing. But, this is quite an expensive pleasure.

How to wash a tattoo?

After removing the bandages, the tattoo should be washed with boiled soapy water, or, if it is not possible to use/cook it, use drinking water with soap and CHLORHEXIDINE. Contrary to misconceptions, a freshly applied tattoo cannot be washed with alcohol-containing products and hydrogen peroxide! When washing, do not rub the tattoo; use careful and smooth movements to remove everything that has come out of the “wound” and let it dry. Do not wipe your tattoo with towels, napkins or cotton pads; lint can cause irritation and inflammation!

How to lubricate a tattoo?

After drying, a healing ointment should be applied to the tattoo. There are a great variety of them, from ordinary ones sold in pharmacies, such as "DEX-PANTHENOL" and "BEPANTEN" to professional ones, available only from tattoo artists, which are recommended to be used specifically for healing tattoos. Before choosing an ointment, consult your specialist.

After applying the ointment, you need to cover the tattoo again. Use an absorbent diaper; cling film is only good for getting from the salon to the house.

First week

During the first 3-5 days, you should repeat washing the tattoo and applying healing ointments, ideally every 4 hours, but no less 3 times a day. Sealing with an absorbent diaper can be stopped if there are no traces of pigment release from the skin on the inside of the diaper.

A crust has appeared. What to do?

After a couple of days, a crust will begin to appear on the tattoo, which will dry out and fall off. Do not scratch or peel off the crust; you can damage the pattern by tearing off a piece of dead flaking skin in place with a piece of live skin (the crust is dead skin). During daily washing, small fragments of the crust will come off on their own, and they should be removed. As it heals, the crust will disappear completely.

I peeled off the crust! What to do?

If you peel off a crust along with a piece of skin, simply treat the damaged area, wait until the blood, lymph and ichor stop, then apply a healing ointment and bandage. After complete healing, the damaged area may show a pale pattern, blurred contours, and even a small scar. In this case, you need to agree with the artist about tattoo correction.

Complete tattoo healing

How long does a tattoo take to heal?

Complete healing of a tattoo, on average, lasts about two weeks. The duration of healing depends both on the characteristics of your body and on the size and density of the tattoo. During healing, you need to make some adjustments to your leisure time so that it does not harm the tattoo and your health.

Tattoo correction is carried out 30-40 days after the tattoo session.

Tanning in a solarium and in the sun

Ultraviolet, even affecting a healed tattoo, can lighten coloring pigments. The impact on a tattoo that has not healed is much stronger, so the tattoo should be protected from ultraviolet radiation until it heals. If you really want to sunbathe, apply protective sunscreen to your tattoo. from 30 SPF.

Showering and bathing

Unlike special treatment of a tattoo by washing, during showering or bathing with water, rust, dirt and bacteria can enter the tattoo, which can cause inflammation. As a result, some of the coloring pigments may come out of the skin. You will have to give up long baths, swimming in salt water, swimming pools and public reservoirs, visiting baths and saunas.

If you want to take a shower, lubricate the tattoo with a greasy healing ointment and cover it with cling film; this measure will be enough to prevent water from getting on the tattoo.

Sports, alcohol and drugs

During sports, drinking alcohol, and also when taking certain medications, blood pressure may increase, as a result of which the coloring pigment is simply “squeezed” out of the skin along with the blood. Additionally, when you take certain medications, your body may begin to reject the dye in your skin. In this case, you are guaranteed an unpleasant allergic reaction. Additionally, when you exercise, you will produce sweat, which can cause irritation.

Consequences of improper care

Remember, tattoo artists are not responsible for a tattoo if you have not properly cared for it, and they are not obligated to monitor you and remind you to treat your tattoo or to abstain from alcohol. If problems arise due to neglect of the specialist’s recommendations, it is entirely your fault, and the consequences of this cannot always be easily eliminated. And the consequences can be very serious, both for you and for the tattoo. For example:

• discoloration of the tattoo, in some places complete loss of pigments;
• large scars;
• blurring the contours of the picture;
• an allergic reaction that can last for years without treatment.

Choosing a professional tattoo artist is only the first step to ensuring that you have a truly beautiful tattoo that you can be proud of. How you take care of your tattoo is just as important, if not more so, than getting it. Even the best tattoo can be ruined by poor care. Recommendations vary from artist to artist, but here's an overview of what you should do to keep your tattoos looking nice and new.

The first stage of tattoo care

Leave the bandage on for 2 to 24 hours. Once the tattoo is complete, your tattoo artist will apply antibacterial ointments and cover the tattoo with a bandage. Once you've left the tattoo parlor, try to resist the temptation to open your headband to show off your new tattoos to your friends. Keep the bandage in place to protect your tattoo from airborne bacteria that can penetrate broken skin. The dressing should be left in place for at least two hours before being removed.

Thick, absorbent, non-stick ABD dressings are the most common type of dressing used by tattoo artists. They are very effective as they allow the tattoo to breathe.

There are many tattoo artists who strongly believe in wrapping a new tattoo in plastic wrap, while there are many who believe it is the worst thing you can do for your tattoo.

Proponents of plastic wrap believe that this is the best way to wrap a new tattoo as it is easy to apply and remove without sticking to the skin. It also forms an effective shield that blocks any bacteria.

Those who oppose plastic wrap do so because it prevents the tattoo from getting oxygen, and oxygen is necessary for healing. It also moisturizes and raises the temperature of the skin, creating a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Whatever type of coating your tattoo artist uses, be sure to follow his/her advice carefully. Both types of dressing have been used successfully in the past.

Second stage of tattoo care

Carefully remove the bandage. There is still some debate about how long the bandage should be left on the tattoo. Most artists agree that you should keep your tattoos covered for a minimum of two hours before removing, but a maximum of between 4 and 24 hours is recommended. Tattoos covered with plastic wrap are an exception; plastic wrap should never be left on a new tattoo for more than two hours.

In reality, the time will vary depending on the size and placement of the tattoo. In most cases, it is best to follow your tattoo artist's recommendations, but you should also use your own judgment and common sense.

The third stage of tattoo care

Gently rinse the tattoo. Most artists recommend warm water and a mild soap or unscented antibacterial or antimicrobial liquid. Use your hands to gently rub the tattoo, removing any traces of blood, plasma, or ink leakage. Do not use washcloth or sponge to clean the tattoo as they may contain bacteria.

Do not keep tattoos directly under water. You need to wash it indirectly, by spraying water over the tattoo with your own hands. The running water from the tap may be too harsh for your new tattoo.

Once you have thoroughly washed your tattoo, you should gently dry it with a dry paper towel. Do not rub your tattoo as this may cause irritation. Once the excess moisture has been removed, you should leave the tattoo to dry for 20 minutes. You should allow your tattoo to breathe every time you wash.

The fourth stage of tattoo care

Apply ointment. Once your tattoo is completely dry and the skin begins to feel tight, you can apply some ointment such as D-panthenol. Be sure to only apply a very thin layer, which is just enough to make the tattoo shine while it soaks into the skin. It is very important that you do not apply too much ointment or else you will end up suffocating your tattoo and stimulating the growth of bacteria.

You should continue to apply the ointment after each tattoo wash for approximately 3 to 5 days, or until the tattoo begins to peel. At this point, you can switch to regular, unscented lotion.

Avoid using petroleum-based cleansers such as Vaseline as they are too heavy and can clog pores.
promotes healing and has good moisturizing properties.

Fifth stage of tattoo care

Continue to wash and moisturize your tattoo 3 to 5 times a day. You should continue to wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap and warm water until it is completely healed. This can take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the size and location of the tattoo. You should wash your tattoo approximately three times a day, although you should wash more often if the tattoo is on your hand, wrist, foot, or any other area that is more vulnerable to germs.

If everything is done correctly, after a few weeks you can expect your tattoo to truly be as beautiful as in the picture.

PROHIBITED:

1. Take hot baths, visit the sauna, swimming pool, solarium during the healing period;
2. Expose the tattoo to sunlight for 2-3 weeks;
3. Use medications not specified in the recommendation;
4. Use alcohol-containing preparations.

In order for the joy after applying a new design to last as long as possible, proper tattoo care is necessary to guarantee rapid healing and preservation of the brightness of the color. The article provides a tattoo care guide that will help you avoid image correction for quite a long time.

How long does it take for a tattoo to heal?

People who get their first tattoo do not always know how long it takes for a tattoo to heal.

Usually, if you follow the recommendations of the artist, the skin after tattooing is restored within six weeks. The tattoo itself takes on a presentable appearance within two to three weeks, depending on its size, ink and depth of ink injection.

No artist can give an exact date, since the type of skin, the individual characteristics of the body and the place where the image is applied are important.

In general, the closer to the bone the design is applied, the longer the tattoo will take to heal. Tattoos on the ribs and ankles take the longest to care for. The easiest way to care for a tattoo is on the arm.

How to care for a tattoo in the first days after application?

Taking care of a fresh tattoo is quite simple. After the artist finishes the drawing, he will stick a special tattoo film on it, which protects the skin from germs and negative environmental influences. After 2-5 hours, the bandage must be carefully removed and the tattoo washed with warm water and liquid soap.

Ink leaking out of a tattoo after it is applied is normal: along with it, lymph and blood come out of the wound. This phenomenon should not scare you if it is not accompanied by severe swelling or redness of the tissue.

If a special fabric diaper is applied to the tattoo, you can change it later, after 12 hours. This fabric absorbs leaking ink and ichor without sticking to the skin. In the case when the master uses a bandage, the bandage is removed upon returning home, replacing it with film.

Then use a paper towel or soft cloth to remove any remaining moisture using blotting movements.

A fresh tattoo should completely dry at room temperature for 10-20 minutes. After drying, apply a healing ointment to care for the tattoo.

If the artist did not tell you what to smear the tattoo with, you can use D-Panthenol or Bepanten. Please note that the ointment layer should be very thin: excess is removed with a napkin. It is prohibited to treat a fresh tattoo with alcohol-containing lotions or hydrogen peroxide. After smearing the tattoo, you must reuse the film and wear it for another 2 days.

The above tattoo care should be carried out 3-5 times a day. On the first day, it is important to prevent the ichor from forming crusts. Along with them, the paint may come off, and in the near future the design may need to be corrected, entailing new expenses.

There is an alternative way to make it easier to care for a tattoo in the first days. There is a professional film for tattooing called “Suprasorb F”. When using Suprasorb film, a fresh tattoo is guaranteed to be protected from dust, dirt and microorganisms. The breathable layer prevents the skin from fraying, so there is no need to monitor the tattoo and constantly change the bandages: it will heal on its own.

Rules for caring for a tattoo until complete healing

Recommendations for care may vary depending on the studio, since even artists in the same salon may have different ideas about how to properly care for a tattoo. Listen to the instructions given by your artist. Most will usually have a leaflet with tips that you can take with you.

A standard tattoo care guide includes the following recommendations.

1. Keep your tattoo clean and dry and avoid submerging it in water. You can take a shower as usual, but in the first days you need to wash more carefully, avoiding getting the design too wet. You should not take a bath for at least the first month.
2. Depending on the size and location of the tattoo, you should avoid swimming, exercise, sugaring and shaving for ten to thirty days. Swimming in fresh water should be done with caution to avoid infection and inflammation of the wound.
3. If clothing rubs the skin, a film will help protect the tattoo. Many people use regular food, but experts recommend Supraphorb, which has a number of advantages.
4. In the summer, caring for a new tattoo involves protecting the skin from direct sunlight. Tattoos, especially colored ones, can fade in the sun even after complete healing, so they should be smeared with moisturizing sunscreen SPF 50.
5. As the tattoo heals, it may peel and itch slightly. Try not to scratch the skin as this may remove ink from the area, causing spots and gaps. If your tattoo itches a lot, you can place your hand on it and move it slightly from side to side. The itching may last for about two weeks. But if the skin around the pattern remains red and the wound continues to bleed, you should consult a doctor. Despite the fact that such cases are rare, consulting a specialist will not be in vain.

After about 6 weeks, you can again contact the specialist for correction: painting over the gaps that have come off along with the crust or adding brightness to the image.

How to properly care for a tattoo after healing

Below are some basic tips for tattoo owners.

1. Caring for tattoos is similar to caring for your skin. The more thoroughly you moisturize them and protect them from sun exposure, the longer they will remain in their original form.
2. It is recommended to avoid gaining extra pounds or sudden weight loss, as this can stretch or distort the tattoo.
3. If the image fades, you should promptly contact a tattoo artist for correction. Proper care will allow the image to delight the owner and others with its appearance for a long time.

So, you've come a long way. After the first acquaintance with what tattoos are and why they are needed, you spent some time studying the features of various styles, coming up with the plot of the future picture and creating the final sketch. After the idea of ​​a body painting was completely ready for implementation, you found a qualified craftsman who not only understands the idea, but can also perform even the most complex work with high quality.

A person who gets his first tattoo inevitably faces a number of important questions:

• How to care for a tattoo, and is it possible to speed up the healing process?

If you have read the previous articles that answer two important questions, it is time to talk about tattoo care. As you already know from the previous article, in the process of applying a pattern with a needle, the skin is subjected to mechanical stress, resulting in a burn. There is no need to have any illusions about the harmlessness of this process., because the area of ​​the body on which the painting is applied is actually damaged. But there is also no need to be upset about this, because the skin heals quite quickly and there will be no negative consequences for health. In this regard, the healing process of a tattoo as a whole is not very different from the treatment of a burn.

Tattoo care rules

Almost certainly, the master who will do the work will carry out a number of necessary actions to process a fresh tattoo and give you detailed instructions on what to do in the first days. For those who want to know everything in advance, we have made a ready-made checklist of what can be done to quickly heal a fresh tattoo.

1. Use of spray and anesthetic ointment during the application process

Almost all modern masters use special anesthetics during work, usually based on lidocaine. In one of the previous articles, we wrote that both pain and the degree of skin irritation depend on:

• individual characteristics of the body;
• application zones.

However, the use of an anesthetic moisturizes the skin and reduces the severity of the burn while working. In addition, the use of gels and sprays slightly reduces pain.

2.Applying a compress and wrapping

Immediately after finishing the work, the master treats the area with gel, applies a compress and wraps it with cling film. This is done primarily to prevent unwanted particles from reaching the surface of the skin, which can lead to inflammation and infection. In addition, the film protects the tattoo from friction and contact with clothing, which also irritates the skin.

3. Tattoo care: after a day

After you remove the film and compress, you will see some paint smeared onto the skin. Don't be alarmed, this is normal. The skin should be slowly and carefully wiped with a napkin moistened with burn ointment. The most popular products today, which are recommended in tattoo parlors: Panthenol and Bepanten+. They can be bought at any pharmacy. This procedure must be repeated several times a day in the following days until complete healing.

4. Tattoo care: after 2-3 days

In the first days of healing of the tattoo, a crust may form on the skin, which is unpleasantly itchy and itchy. Despite the huge temptation to pick and tear it off, under no circumstances should you do this. This entertainment is fraught with scars and welts, so it’s better to be patient. Instead, the crust should continue to be wiped with a cloth containing ointment, warm water or antibacterial soap.

5. Tattoo care: after healing

After the skin has completely recovered and returned to its normal appearance, does not itch or itch, no special care for the tattoo is required. The only recommendation may be to use a more powerful tanning product in the sun. Large amounts of direct sunlight can affect the color saturation of the tattoo, as the paint gradually fades. Of course, in this case, a couple of years later you can simply finish the tattoo, refreshing the colors, or you can simply use a good ointment on the beach. It is recommended to use products with a UV protection level of 45 units or higher.

1. Do not use alcohol or drugs before or after visiting a tattoo artist. Or better yet, never at all.
2. Avoid physical activity for the first 3-5 days. Try not to sweat and spend this time at home.
3. After removing the film, wear quality cotton clothing. Avoid synthetics and hard fabrics that rub the skin.
4. Watch your diet at least for the first time after going to the specialist. Try not to eat too fatty foods. Eat more vegetables and fruits. Vitamins, especially E, promotes body restoration and skin healing.
5. No baths, saunas, solariums in the first 10 days after tattooing.
6. If you feel unwell, have a cold, or have signs of illness, postpone and reschedule your visit to the tattoo artist. During illness, our immunity is weakened and all recovery processes slow down. In this case, you and your tattoo will heal much more slowly and painfully.

Follow these simple tips and everything will be great for you!