
15 tips to keep your tattoo looking beautiful and vibrant
You want to get the tattoo you've been dreaming about for years, but you're wondering which cream to use for healing and how to maintain it? We'll give you some tips and tricks to help your tattoo keep its shine and color just like the first day!
SOME INFORMATION ABOUT TATTOOING
A tattoo involves introducing a small amount of colored ink into the skin using a needle. The ink is introduced into an area between the dermis and the epidermis, the insertion of the needle varies from 1 to 4 mm depending on the skin type and the tattooed area. Once the wound has healed, the transparency of the skin allows the ink, and therefore the design, to remain visible.
PREPARING BEFORE THE TATTOO
Before you go to the tattoo artist, it is essential to prepare yourself.
First of all, rest for a few days before the tattoo, this will allow your body to better manage the pain. At the same time, if you tend to have dry skin, don't hesitate to moisturize it well with cream, this will prevent flakes and excessive dermatological shock.
There are a few things to follow the day before D-day:
- Avoid exfoliating, as it could irritate your skin
- Do not take medications that could thin your blood (such as aspirin)
- Do not consume alcohol
Once you've applied these tips, you're ready to head to your tattoo parlor!
ENSURE GOOD HEALING OF THE TATTOO
To allow for optimal healing, you must take care of your tattoo from the very first moments.
At the end of the session, your tattoo artist will apply a bactericidal ointment to your skin and then a bandage. This protects the skin from dust or bacteria in the air. It is strongly recommended to keep this bandage on for several hours. During these few hours, you will have to resist the temptation to see the result or proudly show off your tattoo to your friends!
You can then remove the bandage. Once the bandage is removed, the tattoo design may not be clearly defined and may not look as you expected. Don't worry, this is completely normal. You should then clean the tattooed area to remove excess ink, blood, lymph, etc. You can do this cleaning with warm water, an antiseptic solution, or a pH-neutral soap. Be careful not to place your tattoo directly under running water. Rub gently with your hands and let it dry.
Once the tattoo is completely dry, you can apply your tattoo cream to moisturize the skin. The cream should be applied in a thin layer to allow the skin to breathe. Massage gently and feel free to remove excess cream with a tissue. For optimal hydration, you can apply tattoo cream several times a day until your skin is completely healed (approximately 10 days).
PRESERVING THE BEAUTY OF YOUR TATTOO DURING HEALING
While your skin is healing, you'll likely experience some itching. A key rule: don't scratch or rub your tattoo, as this could deposit bacteria on your skin. To relieve this itching, you can apply an ice pack to the area. It's also possible that small scabs may appear over time; it's important not to remove them.
To avoid distortion or loss of color of your tattoo:
- Postpone swimming lessons and steam or sauna sessions, as prolonged soaking or high humidity may remove some of the ink
- Leave your tight-fitting clothes in the closet. Loose-fitting clothing will allow your skin to breathe and therefore heal faster.
- Postpone your afternoon at the beach, pool, or sunbed session, as UV exposure is not recommended. If you really need to go out in the sun, apply a high-sPF sunscreen.
- Avoid intensive sports sessions, as they could distort the design and perspiration could attack the color of your tattoo
- Continue to moisturize your skin well day after day.
PRESERVING THE BEAUTY OF YOUR TATTOO IN THE LONG TERM
In the long term, you will need to protect yourself from the sun, which could damage your tattoo. Moisturizing your skin will be your best ally to keep your tattoo vibrant. Tattoo derm 2 tattoo care contains powerful moisturizing agents that soften and smooth tattooed skin. Remember that a tattoo will always look better on well-hydrated skin! ;)