The motif is fixed and the appointment with the tattoo artist is imminent. But how do you care for the tattoo afterwards so that it heals without problems and looks beautiful for many years to come? We have a few tips for a fast and healthy wound healing.
A freshly stung tattoo is like a wound on the skin, which can also become infected under poor conditions and little care. There may still be bleeding and wound water in the hours after the stitching.
Therefore, to avoid infections, a few things should be observed before and after the stinging. We reveal what these are.
Tips before getting a tattoo
What You Should Do
Especially for the first tattoo, you should prepare thoroughly for the appointment. Since you can not yet estimate the pain, it is always helpful to be well-rested.
Also a breakfast and enough liquid stimulate the circulation, so that the body has the necessary energy. If the tattoo session lasts longer, you can also pack yourself something sweet to eat or drink, as a little sugar takes the tension away and makes the pain more bearable.
In addition, it is easier to sit still, because there is no feeling of hunger and stomach rumbling.
What to Avoid
Before tattooing, you should avoid alcohol, as it thins the blood, which can cause increased bleeding during and after the stitching.
Likewise, you should not take any pain-relieving medication before tattooing, as some agents thin the blood, so that the tattoo ink is more likely to be flushed out of the skin.
What happens to the skin during tattooing?
During tattooing, color pigments are pricked through the epidermis (top layer of skin) into the dermis (leather skin) with a pointed needle. The body encapsulates the color pigments so that the tattoo remains in place for a lifetime and cannot be broken down by the body.
On the other hand, if the tattoo is stung too deeply, the lymphatic fluid can break down the tattoo. If, on the other hand, it is stung too superficially, the tattoo will disappear when the top layer of skin renews itself.
The right tattoo care after tattoo stinging
After the tattoo is pierced, the tattoo artist covers the tattoo with a thin layer of tattoo care and cling film to protect it from dirt and bacteria. Some tattoo artists also use Suprasorb foil, which is usually used for burns. Ask your tattoo artist about this.
The foil should remain on the skin for at least three hours. Remove the foil carefully afterwards, as blood and wound water may have collected underneath.
Clean the tattoo
Do not use shampoos or aggressive soaps, as they only irritate the skin and the tattoo unnecessarily. Instead, gently wash the area with lukewarm water and pat dry with a paper towel.
The tattoo itches – what now?
A freshly stung tattoo can itch. This itching is the beginning of the healing process and should be endured if possible. Scratching and picking off scabs only slows down the healing process unnecessarily and may also lead to scarring.
If the tattoo itches for many days without subsiding, you should consult a doctor, as there may be an allergy or inflammation.
How long does the healing process take?
A new tattoo takes from a few days to a month to heal completely, depending on its size. The tattooed area should be spared, especially in the first few days. Sweat, water and sun slow down the healing process and should therefore be avoided for the time being.
Only after the tattoo is completely healed, sweat and increased water to the tattoo. In summer, intense sunlight on the tattoo should be avoided for about three months after stinging. A plaster or long clothes protect it. Sunscreen of at least 45 SPF is mandatory after healing.
To continue to protect the tattoo later, you should regularly care for it with moisturizer and special tattoo sunscreen, for example, from TattooMed for about 12 euros.
Inflamed tattoo: What to do?
After tattooing, a slight pain or a slight throbbing is normal. Often the skin is reddened or swollen. However, these symptoms subside relatively quickly.
It is different if the skin temperature around the tattoo is very different from the rest of the body. Then an inflammation could be present.
Ask your tattoo artist which antiseptic agent and which further measures help now.
What should I put on my skin before a Tattoo?
Find the right tattoo cream. Tattoo creams bind moisture in the skin, protecting it from drying out and scarring. Likewise, it speeds up cell division, which helps the tattoo heal faster.
A thin layer two to three times a day is quite sufficient. When choosing a tattoo cream, pay attention to the ingredients before using it to avoid rashes and allergies. Likewise, a good cream contains little fat.
Many tattooed people, on the other hand, swear by Bepanthen ointment to care for the tattoo. In fact, panthenol ointment is rather less suitable, as it can wash up the tattoo and draw color from the skin.
Also, coconut oil, a very popular skin care product, should always be used on the tattoo only after the tattoo is completely healed. Although the oil has an antibacterial effect and can speed up the healing process, this method has not been clinically proven.
What Should you not do before getting a Tattoo?
In the days leading up to the tattoo it is recommended to avoid the following:
Avoid taking medications unless strictly necessary (in which case you should inform the tattoo artist)
Do not practice intense sports in the 12 hours before the session: physical activity increases blood pressure and microcirculation
The skin should not be too tanned before a tattoo, because it is often more sensitive and dehydrated, moreover it is not possible to get a tattoo in the presence of redness or irritation caused by the sun or tanning lamps
Do not consume excessive doses of caffeine
Do not consume alcohol or drugs.
Should I moisturize before getting a Tattoo?
Yes, you should. Two to four times a day, it is important to clean and moisturize your skin before a tattoo. It is necessary to use the right products for this:
– an antiseptic cleanser that respects the PH of your skin (intimate hygiene soaps are perfect). The top? Whether it contains active ingredients that help healing such as hemostatic or emollients.
– a moisturizing and healing cream that helps to avoid inflammations. For example, La Roche Posay’s Cicaplast cream, which is not greasy.
Apply cream generously to your body before getting a tattoo and gently massage it in!
Now you are ready to take the plunge!
What can I do before a Tattoo to ease the pain?
Be Sober
Alcohol dilutes the blood, in the case of tattoos, this means that you will bleed more and the ink will not enter your skin so easily, which makes the process take longer and everything feels more painful.
Drink plenty of water
You should start doing this the night before as the water helps your skin absorb the ink better and it doesn’t take as much time and effort to make everything look good.
Eat well
It is best to attend your session with a full stomach, this is to improve your stamina and not to faint in the process. Getting a tattoo burns a lot of calories so don’t hesitate to eat that burger you craved.
Sleep well
You need a lot of energy to endure hours sitting in the tattooist’s chair, experts recommend that the night before you sleep early and get enough rest, otherwise you won’t last. In addition, you will have more adrenaline and endorphins that will make you feel less pain.
Take a break
Ask for what you need, if it is hurting too much, ask your tattooist to stop for a moment and let you recover a little before continuing.
Conclusion
Follow these tips and your tattoo session will be a breeze. The tips described above are intended to ensure your safety and help your tattoo artist create the best possible body art, a piece you will love to admire every time you see it. Combine the tips detailed here with prescribed aftercare tips and your new ink will be healed and ready to be admired immediately.