After getting a tattoo, the first thing most people would want to do is go home and take a bath. However, before you hit the shower, you wonder whether you are doing the right thing or not. The following 48 hours are crucial for your tattoo’s healing process, and you need to take good care of it.
Showering with a Brand New Tattoo
If you want to shower with your brand new tattoo, it is important to do so with care. Make sure to follow your tattoo artist’s advice and the following tips:
- Treating Your Tattoo as an Open Wound
Remember, your tattoo technically is an open wound, which means you need to be extra careful. Think of your tattoo artist as the physician who cared for your wound and listen to what they say. Usually, the bandages or whatever was used to cover your tattoo can be removed within 3 hours. However, some artists may tell you to keep it on longer.
Make sure to listen to your artist. Avoid exposing your tattoo and putting it at risk for infection. Some bandages may be waterproof, but if not, try avoiding getting the area wet until then.
- Bathe With Lukewarm Water
Do not use water that is too cold or hot. Too cold water could damage the pigment of your new ink, while too hot of water could burn your skin. As it is a sensitive area, you will need to take extra precautions around it.
Using lukewarm water would prevent any additional harm to your skin. It can even help reduce the swelling of the tattooed area.
- Use a Mild Soap without Fragrance
When washing wounds, you would want to use plain antibacterial soap without unnecessary chemicals. The same goes for your tattoos; you need to wash them with a mild soap with no additives. A soap with fragrance will possibly infect your tattoo due to its chemicals.
- Don’t Submerge It in Water
Submerging your tattoo in water can easily pull out the ink pigments. Prolonged exposure to water will result in a lot of damage to your tattoo, mainly discoloration. Do not wet it too much if you want to keep your tattoo intact.
- Use Your Hand
When washing your tattoo, do not wash it directly under faucets or showerheads. The water pressure from these items could infect your skin and wash out the ink. Use your hand to pour water over the tattoo gently.
- Dry with a Paper Towel
Do not just use your regular towel to dry your tattoo. Make sure to pat it dry with a paper towel. Using a paper towel will avoid cross-contamination and prevent fibers from the cloth from getting into your tattoo.
- Moisturize When Dry
After drying your tattoo, you will need to moisturize it. Most of the time, your tattoo artist will recommend an ointment or cream that you need to use. Some tattoo shops even sell these creams. However, if you were not given any, you can just use any mild, fragrance-free lotion. Make sure your tattoo does not dry out too much, as it could slow down the healing process.
Conclusion
You may be excited to look at your tattoo after getting home. However, you need to listen to your tattoo artist first and be extremely careful. Make sure also to follow our tips mentioned above. Soon, your tattoo is healed, and you can show it off as much as you want.
If you want to get a tattoo in Buffalo, Lucky Deville Tattoo Co will be glad to serve you. Our artists have been trained to be the best and specialize in state-of-the-art tattoo services. Book an appointment with us today!
