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Last Updated: Mar 28, 2023
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Tattoo aftercare

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Dr. Aditya FavadeDermatologist • 10 Years Exp.Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), D. Dermatology (Ay)
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A tattoo is art for  many people in this world, it's a personal style. We can also see it's like a medical procedure because artists put the ink under the skin with a needle machine. 

Skin then is vulnerable to infection after the tattoo is done.

Sometimes skin gets open due to injury or something else can lead to infection.

Caring for your new  tattoo is necessary because for some people it can lead to serious complications. It is the responsibility of patients and artists to ensure it heals properly. We should go to a licensed tattoo artist that may provide a healthy environment for tattoo healing and its making procedure.

There are many instructions given by the artist to take your tattoo.

The antibiotics ointment should be given by the artist  to apply on the tattoo to kill any bacteria and cover  the tattoo area with bandage or plastic sheet. Covering a tattoo prevents dirt or bacteria from going inside as skin is at a vulnerable stage. Covering also protects the tattoo from getting irritated and  rubbed with clothes or other things. Dressing it for a few hours may help to get rid of ink that leaks from tattoos.

After going home  he we can do some steps:

  • After a few hours we should uncover the bandage or plastic sheet.
  • We should wash our hands with soap and water.
  • Next, we should wash the tattoo with warm water and soap.
  • Now dry with any soft cloth.
  • Apply the tattoo area with moisturizer which is alcohol free and fragrance free.
  • Now let the skin be open so that it can breathe.

Period of healing, you should mind something:

You should do:

Wear full clothes especially covering the tattoo area wherever you go outside in the sun.

If any symptoms of infection or irritation are experienced we should go to the tattoo artist or doctor.

You shouldn’t do:

  • You should cover the tattoo so that it gets healed.
  • Scratching or picking the tattoo area should be done.
  • Immersion of the body in water or going swimming.

Day wise caring of tattoo

Day 1

  • After going home  he we can do some steps:
  • After a few hours we should uncover the bandage or plastic sheet.
  • We should wash our hands with soap and water.
  • Next, we should wash the tattoo with warm water and soap.
  • Now dry with any soft cloth.
  • Apply the tattoo area with moisturizer which is alcohol free and fragrance free.
  • Now let the skin be open so that it can breathe.

There may be some fluid oozing after the uncovering of the bandage is done. Sometimes the clear part of blood called plasma oozes out of the skin and  it's normal. It's also normal for skin to get red and sore. A slight warm may feel in the area which is also normal, nothing to worry about.

Day 2 to 4

Till this day, your tattoo will heal  and it's appearance becomes colder because skin gets to heal. scabs can be seen to form. 

We should follow some steps again

  • We should wash our hands with soap and water.
  • Next, we should wash the tattoo with warm water and soap.
  • Now dry with any soft cloth.
  • Apply the tattoo area with moisturizer which is alcohol free and fragrance free.
  • Now let the skin be open so that it can breathe.

Day 4 to 6 

At this stage the redness and soreness start to fade. You will see some scabbing over the tattoo but this scabbing will not be thick as from any cut. Please pick or scratch the scab.

We should follow some steps again

  • We should wash our hands with soap and water.
  • Next, we should wash the tattoo with warm water and soap.
  • Now dry with any soft cloth.
  • Apply the tattoo area with moisturizer which is alcohol free and fragrance free.
  • Now let the skin be open so that it can breathe.

Day 16 

Scab will get hardened and start to flake off the skin. They should get out naturally from the skin. At this stage you might get itchy but please do not scratch. Instead apply the moisturizer several times to get rid of the itching.

Day 30

At this stage your skin gets scab free and the tattoo gets duller and stronger. There may be some dead skin which will get to normal. Remain to apply the moisturizer.
 

Side effects:

Infection

If the tattoo gets infected it will release pus and be painful and red. Contaminated needles can cause you tetanus, HIV etc. There may be bacterial infection too.

Allergic reaction

Very sensitive person can cause an allergic reaction to ink. Different dyes have different allergic reactions.

Scarring

Scarring from needles can cause some problems, some may remain permanent depending on the skin type of the person.

Conclusion:

Tattooing is presentable on skin and it is a hobby for many people. Skin types have different effects in response to ink. Aftercare is very very necessary if you love your skin. In case of irritation, infection please visit the doctors.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult a specialist & get answers to your questions!
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