How to Take Care of a Tattoo: A Comprehensive Guide

Congrats on the new tattoo! Now here’s the next crucial part: taking care of it. Like a newborn baby, your tattoo needs attention, protection, and nurturing.

You might be asking yourself, “Is it really that big of a deal? What could go wrong if I soaked in a hot tub or picked off all my scabs?” More than you could imagine. Let’s go over how to take care of a tattoo so you can have a piece that looks fantastic for a lifetime. 

Keeping Clothing from Rubbing on Your New Tattoo

First and foremost, let’s talk about what could happen if your clothing rubs on your new tattoo. This begins before you even get to the tattoo shop, as you’ll want to walk out of the shop with the appropriate clothing to avoid impacting your freshly tattooed skin.

Friction can lead to decreased tattoo quality or even infection.

Choosing the Right Clothing 

When you’re trying to figure out how to take care of a tattoo, thinking about your clothing is an important factor. It’s simple: opt for loose, breathable clothes.

Tight clothing could rub and stick to the area, damaging the artwork and causing discomfort. Consider wearing outfits made of natural materials like cotton or bamboo—these fabrics allow airflow, helping with faster healing! 

If possible, don’t cover it with clothing at all. Roll the sleeve up on your forearm or get your leg tattooed during summer when shorts are appropriate.

Changing Clothes Mindfully 

Even something as simple as changing your clothes can pose a risk to your new ink if not done carefully. Between putting on and taking off your items, be gentle around the area to prevent agitation and potential trauma. 

Freshwater Exposure (Rivers, Lakes, etc.) 

Freshwater bodies are teeming with microorganisms. Like any open wound, your fresh tattoo exposed to such water becomes an inviting nest for bacteria, leading to painful infections. 

Bathtub and Long Showers 

A soothing retreat in your bathtub or a prolonged hot shower, albeit relaxing, is dreadful for your fresh tattoo. Extended exposure to water can seep into the tattoo area, causing the ink to disperse, leading to distortions in the tattoo’s appearance. 

What You Should Do 

1. Limit Shower Time: Ensure your showers are quick, ideally no longer than ten minutes.
2. Avoid Submersion: Steer clear of swimming and soaking in any bodies of water until your tattoo is fully healed.

How to Take Care of a Tattoo in the Shower

Even something as routine as showering can become complicated with a new tattoo. But worry not! With some guidance and precautionary measures, you can easily navigate through this. 

First and foremost, limit your shower time. Showering with a new tattoo isn’t about enjoying a tranquil bout of unwinding after a long day. It’s all about efficiency.

Get in, clean yourself (gently!), and get out.

The shorter your showers, the less time your tattoo spends in a moist environment, thus reducing the risk of damage. 

Another point to consider is the temperature of the water. Stay away from hot showers!

Steam and heat can cause the pores on your skin to open and thereby might induce tattoo bleeding. Instead, opt for lukewarm water. It will be just as cleansing, and far safer for your new tattoo. 

When you’re in the shower, use a mild, unscented soap to clean the area. Avoid using any harsh, scented body washes or soaps on your new tattoo. They can irritate it and possibly lead to an infection. 

Last but not least, pat dry, don’t rub!

After showering, gently pat your tattoo with a clean towel. Avoid rubbing as this can cause irritation or could even pull out the ink.

DON’T: Over-Moisturize 

Have you ever heard of the phrase, “too much of anything is bad”? Well, it applies here too.

Over-saturating your tattoo with moisturizer can lead to clogging of the skin pores, which can cause breakouts and hinder the healing process. It’s essential to find a balance in the amount of moisturizer you use. We see this most often with thicker moisturizers, so read our article on tattoo aftercare ointments for a clear idea of the impact it can have on your new tattoo.

How to Apply Lotion to a Tattoo

Alright – so we’ve outlined the dos and don’ts of how to take care of a tattoo, but how about the actual process of moisturizing?  If you want more specifics about how to moisturize, our article on tattoo aftercare lotions will be very helpful to you. 

If having a good understanding of how to take care of a tattoo is important to you, we recommend:

1. Hand Hygiene: Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo. This helps eliminate the chances of introducing bacteria onto the healing skin.
2. Small Dabs: Apply small dabs of your chosen moisturizer on the tattoo and gently spread it over the area.
3. Gentle Touch: Avoid vigorous rubbing, as it may lead to skin irritation or disrupt the healing process.
4. Frequency: Generally, you should moisturize your tattooed skin 2-3 times a day. However, it’s always best to follow your Tattoo artist’s advice and instructions.

Dealing with Itching and Flaking

Let’s face it, nobody likes the unnerving feeling of itchiness, and when you get new ink, it’s part of the deal. As your skin heals, it will characteristically flake and itch. But you mustn’t scratch if you care about your investment!

For a better understanding of why our skin flakes and itches at this time, read our article about the science behind tattoo healing stages.

Touch, Don’t Scratch 

The light, gentle touch of your fingertips or the flat of your hand can help alleviate the itch while taking care not to disrupt the healing of the tattoo. Remember, this is not a free pass to poke or prod incessantly. Apply that delicate touch while keeping your hand clean and dry to avoid any mischief! 

Lotion Up

Your new tattoo’s best friend is a good moisturizer.

Right when the itchiness kicks in, this is the magical time to use lotion.

Make sure it’s a dye and fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizer to keep any negative reactions at bay and provide optimal healing conditions. Moisturizing not only helps with the itch but also aids in protecting your precious body art from drying out and flaking excessively. 

How to Take Care of a Tattoo in the Sun

A significant consideration in how to take care of a tattoo is protecting it from the sun. 

Fun fact: your tattoo, no matter how old it is, will always be susceptible to sun damage.

So, how exactly does sun exposure hamper your tattoo’s health? When the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays come in contact with your skin, they can alter the tattoo pigment. This can result in premature fading and distortion of the tattoo’s colors.

And, as we all know, overexposure to the sun can lead to a sunburn. Now, imagine that on a fresh, open wound like your tattoo. 

Shield Your Tattoo from the Sun 

Let’s get down to it. Here are the sun protection essentials all ‘tattoo-parents’ need to know: 

1. Steer Clear of the Sun: Aim to keep your new tattoo shielded from the sun as much as possible. Whether it’s finding shade or wearing loose clothing, a little bit of sun avoidance goes a long way!
2. Apply Sunscreen Once Fully Healed: When you have a fresh, healing tattoo, make sure to avoid applying sunscreen directly on it. Once it’s fully healed, it’s SPF time! Broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen is your new best friend. Make sure to apply generously and reapply every two hours, or after sweating or swimming.
3. Wear Protective Clothing: If avoiding the sun entirely isn’t foreseeable (we get it, life happens), opt for sun-protective clothing. Consider a hat or something to shade the area, if possible.

Recognizing Signs of Infection

Infections are not common, but they can happen. Being able to recognize the early signs is crucial. 

Swelling and Redness: Of course, a certain degree of swelling and redness is normal right after you get your tattoo. But if it’s still considerably swollen and red after a few days, this might be cause for concern. 

Discharge: When your tattoo starts to leak a pus-like substance, that’s not a good sign. Clear fluid, ink, and blood are normal – what we’re talking about here is a yellowish discharge, sometimes accompanied by an unusual smell. 

Increased Pain: Pain and tenderness around your tattooed area right after getting it done is normal. But if the pain continues to increase instead of decreasing, it might be an indicator that an infection is brewing. 

Fever: Running a high temperature is one of your body’s ways of signaling that it’s dealing with a nasty intruder. If your body temperature rises unusually high and you feel generally unwell, it’s high time to contact a medical professional. 

What to Do If Your Tattoo Gets Infected

Immediate and appropriate action can minimize the damage. Below are some steps you can take. 

1. Observe Carefully: Pay close attention to the signs and symptoms. Uneven redness, extreme swelling, a sensation of heat, or discharge are common signs of infection. Any doubts? Always err on the side of caution!
2. Contact Your Tattoo Artist: Don’t underestimate their knowledge. Tattoo artists have seen the healing process of countless tattoos and can often tell you whether what you’re experiencing is normal or cause for concern.
3. Seek Medical Attention: If symptoms persist or worsen, it’s time to dash to a healthcare provider. They can provide the appropriate treatment, which could include antibiotics to combat infection.