Tips for Healing and Aftercare of Tattoos
- In the first week, wear a bandage that is breathable:
We recommend covering tattoos with a breathable bandage for the first week, such as Derm Shield ($35), since tattoos create a hole in the skin that allows bacteria into the body. As well as protecting the wound from infection, these bandages allow it to breathe. We recommend washing the skin with gentle soap and water and reapplying the bandage every day for the first week. Once the bandage has been worn for a week, you can remove it. In spite of this, it’s important to continue applying a healing ointment until all signs of healing disappeared.
2. Antibacterial soap should be used to clean:
A breathable bandage should be applied immediately after the tattoo, and the client should keep this dressing for three days. It is recommended to clean with antibacterial soap twice a day after removing the breathable bandage.
3. Healing Ointment Breakdown:
Following removal of the breathable bandage and cleaning with antibacterial soap twice a day for about three days, apply Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($10) daily to the affected area. His advice is to then transition to a daily cleanse and use a mild, fragrance-free lotion like Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion ($10) after the first week.
Tattoos that Aren’t Healing Properly
You can tell if your tattoo isn’t healing properly by a few tell-tale signs. Any redness, puffiness, or itching that persists for more than a few days should be discussed with your physician. Fluid or pus oozing from the tattoo may also indicate infection.
Conclusions
Tattoo healing is a fairly straightforward process. Our experts’ experience shows that swelling, pain, and oozing typically resolve by day three, followed by itching and peeling for another week. For the first month, your tattoo may look darker and duller than expected. Make sure to follow the proper course of care recommended by your dermatologist and/or tattoo artist to prevent infection and to achieve a better tattoo outcome.
