Congratulations on your new tattoo from Auburn Tattoo! To ensure your tattoo heals properly and maintains its vibrant appearance, it’s crucial to follow the right aftercare steps. We have put together this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the healing process and keep your tattoo looking its best.
Understanding the Tattoo Healing Process
After getting a tattoo, your skin goes through several stages of healing:
- Initial Healing (Days 1-3): Your tattoo may feel warm, swollen, and tender. It may also ooze ink and blood.
- Scabbing (Days 3-7): A thin scab will form over your tattoo as it begins to heal.
- Peeling (Days 7-14): The scab will start to peel, and your tattoo may feel itchy.
- Full Healing (Weeks 2-4): The skin around your tattoo will fully heal, but the deeper layers may take up to 4 months to completely regenerate.
9 Don’ts of Fresh Tattoo Aftercare
While your tattoo is healing, AVOID:
- Touching, scratching or picking at the tattooed area
- Shaving over the tattoo until it is fully healed
- High temperatures (saunas, hot tubs, etc.)
- Swimming or bathing for the first 3 weeks or until healed
- Wearing tight, constricting clothing over the tattoo
- Using petroleum-based products or any with irritants
- Direct sunlight until your tattoo completely healed
- Strenuous physical activity
- Sudden movements near the tattooed area
Healing Options
- Second Skin Wrap (used most often)
- Regular wrap
- No wrap
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9 Aftercare Tips for a Tattoo Under the “Second Skin” Wrap
- Leave the protective tattoo aftercare bandage on for 3-4 days.
- Remove the bandage and gently wash the tattoo with warm water
- While washing, use a small amount of liquid soap
- Pat the tattoo dry with a paper towel
- Apply a thin layer of specialized tattoo healing ointment or cream
- Reapply the healing ointment 3-4 times daily for 2-3 weeks
- If needed, apply the ointment more frequently during this period
- Continue using the healing ointment until any flaking or peeling has stopped
- This may take longer than 2-3 weeks in some cases
8 Aftercare Tips for a Tattoo Under Regular Wrap
- Always wash hands before touching tattoo
- Wrap no longer than 6-12 hrs, change frequently
- Clean tattoo before re-wrapping
- Wash tattoo 2-3 times daily with anti-bacterial soap
- Use unscented healing ointment under new wrap
- Remove wraps every few hours, clean the tattoo, and reapply a thin layer of ointment before wrapping again
- Once drying starts, switch to unscented lotions
- Use SPF 30+ sunscreen on exposed tattoo
9 Aftercare Tips for a Tattoo Without a Wrap
- For first few hours, avoid touching tattooed area
- After 4-6 hours, gently wash with warm water and mild soap
- Wash tattoo 3-4 times daily until fully healed
- Use soft cloth, no scrubbing to prevent damage
- Apply thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer daily
- Wear clean, loose clothing over tattoo
- If tight clothes, cover tattoo with food wrap/medical tape
- Use sunscreen on healed tattoo when going outdoors
- Minor itching/peeling is normal, don’t pick/scratch
Normal Healing Process
- Minor bleeding/oozing immediately after tattoo is done
- Redness and swelling in the tattooed area for a few days
- Tattooed area feels warm to the touch initially
- Itchiness as scabs start to form and flake off
- Ink looks dull/cloudy until fully healed in 2-4 weeks
- Tattoo feels rough and bumpy while healing
- Peeling and shedding of scabbed skin as healing progresses
Abnormal Issues Requiring Medical Care
- Excessive bleeding that doesn’t subside
- Firm, painful redness/swelling that worsens or spreads
- Red streaks radiating from tattooed area
- Pus, oozing yellow/green fluid from tattoo
- Red, hot, inflamed skin around tattoo
- Fever, chills, intense pain in tattooed area
- Scabbing or oozing that persists past 5-7 days
- Tattoo doesn’t start healing after 2 weeks
By following these aftercare instructions and using the right products, you’ll help your tattoo heal properly and maintain its vibrant appearance for years to come. If you have any questions or concerns during the healing process, don’t hesitate to reach out to the expert artists at Auburn Tattoo.
Remember, aftercare is a crucial part of the tattoo process. By taking good care of your new ink, you’re investing in a piece of art that will last a lifetime. Trust Auburn Tattoo to guide you through every step of your tattoo journey, from the initial design to the final stages of healing.
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