Tattoos are a craze that is not going to die down anytime soon. More people than ever before are visiting their local tattoo artists to get inked, and tattoo parlors are opening up all over the place as demand increases.
Whether you are thinking of getting a tattoo for the first time or have already had some done and are looking for some advice on how to care for them, this article is going to be of interest.
Firstly, it is important that you understand the basics of getting a tattoo in order to know what to expect and how to deal with any problems that may arise. As with any medical related procedure, there is always a chance that things could go wrong.
But, don’t let this put you off from enjoying the benefits that tattoos can bring. Tattoos are an art form and a way of expressing yourself through body art. People use them to symbolize important events in their lives, such as births or marriages, and they also may choose them because they like the way they look.
Whatever your reason for getting a tattoo, here are some tips on how to care for them that will help you get the most out of this body art form.
Tattoo Aftercare
Once your tattoo has been applied by the artist it is important that you follow through with aftercare correctly and look after the tattoo. This is essential if you want to have tattoos in the future, as it will help you get a better looking piece of art and also prevent your skin from becoming scarred or infected.
Aftercare consists of keeping the tattoo clean and moisturized throughout the healing process. You should not pick at any scabs that form and you should not use any soaps or other products on the tattoo while it is healing. Any product that contains a fragrance such as lotions, aftershave, perfume etc. are unsuitable for tattoos and may cause damage to the etched skin.
It may take up to two weeks or longer before your tattoo looks like it has healed and gone away. But, this is not the case at all. Your tattoo will look un-inked for up to two weeks but it is still healing underneath the surface of your skin and will take months to fully heal, especially if you are new to getting tattoos or haven’t had a good level of aftercare before.
While your tattoo is ‘underneath the surface’ of your skin, it is important that you take good care of it so that it doesn’t get infected and so that the color remains bright. Applying an antibacterial ointment to a new tattoo will help prevent any infection and keep the area moisturized.
In addition to this, if you are planning on partying over the weekend or going out for the night, make sure that you cover your tattoo firmly with a waterproof bandage (like those used in hospitals). This will stop it from getting dirty and prevent any harmful substances from reaching it.
Once a tattoo is fully healed, however, it is not necessary to cover it up anymore and you can go back to your regular routine. But, as previously mentioned, if you want tattoos in the future, it is important that you keep on caring for them properly throughout their life span.
Tattoos are beautiful and bring color and life to the skin. They also symbolize something or someone important to the wearer and are a good way of expressing oneself. Whatever your reason for getting a tattoo, following these simple rules on how to care for tattoos will ensure that you get the most out of it.
