3 Tattoo Aftercare Tips for New and Healed Tattoos

Basics of Tattoo Healing

Even if you’re well versed in taking care of your tattoos, you can forget a step or two. Life gets hectic, and it’s tempting to show off your ink at the pool or on the beach after it’s fully healed. 

Note: You shouldn’t expose your tattoo at all to sunlight or submerge it in water for at least a month, maybe two, to keep it protected while it heals. 

However, long-term tattoo aftercare is often ignored or glossed over. Really, every inch of your skin should get the royal treatment. Everyone’s day to day routine and skin type is different though, so how can you develop good habits that work for you? You can start with these 3 basic tips: exfoliate, moisturize, and protect.

1. Exfoliate Your Tattoo with Quality Cleansers

According to a study published by Deutsches Arzteblatt International in October of 2016, up to 6% of people cited some sort of complication after receiving their tattoo. Your skin will be rebuilding itself as quickly as possible—just like with any wound—so it’s important to remove the dead skin with the right kind of tattoo cleanser. The more natural, the better. 

Cleansers like our Tattoo and Piercing Wash thoroughly but gently wash away peeling bits of skin with antibacterial and antimicrobial ingredients. Our cleanser is great for all skin types, and you can also keep using it after your new tattoo has healed.

2. Moisturize Your Tattoo – But Not Too Much

Standard body lotions may not cut it while your tattoo is healing. Moisturizing with the right lotion not only keeps your tattoo from drying out after you clean it, but it also protects it from harmful sunrays that fade ink. 

For old tattoos, you should moisturize immediately after cleaning. Depending on where you live, it won’t take long for your skin to dry out—causing cracks in your ink eventually. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t use too much moisturizer either. Your skin can only absorb so much at a time. A little goes a long way.

3. Protect Your Tattoo from the Sun at All Times

It’s no surprise that UV rays can impact your tattoo, even after it’s done healing. Frequent tanning can eventually damage your skin overall, but even a little sun exposure can cause tattoos to fade. Even if you’re just going to the grocery store, full coverage doesn’t hurt. 

If you can’t always cover your tattoo, it’s important to find a sunscreen that offers protection equal to SPF 30+. Some moisturizers can also include ingredients that block UV rays. 

The Bottom Line of New and Healed Tattoo Aftercare 

Following these 3 steps daily will help you solidify a routine that will save your ink in the long run. Exfoliating takes care of built-up dead skin, moisturizing prevents dryness and cracks in the ink, and sunscreen keeps the sun from fading out intense colors. 

Tattoos are lifetime commitments in more ways than one.  You’ll have them forever, so you need to treat them like the investments they are.