Just got inked? Essential aftercare tips to keep your tattoo looking amazing
Image: Pexels/@Cottonbro
Getting a tattoo is such a scary, exciting and personal experience. Whether you are adding to a growing sleeve collection or getting your first piece.
Have you ever thought about what goes into caring for your tattoo? The work does not stop once the design is complete.
Every tattoo artist will tell you that a fresh tattoo is an open wound and needs excellent care in the first few weeks to heal beautifully and maintain its detail.
On platforms like TikTok, tattoo artists regularly share aftercare advice with their followers. They often stress that following the artist's instructions is a must.
Here are some helpful tips from experienced tattoo artists:
This often includes cleaning the tattooed area gently with fragrance-free soap, applying a thin layer of recommended ointment or lotion, avoiding direct sunlight and fragranced lotions.
It's also important to resist the urge to scratch or pick at the tattoo as it heals. Yes, you'll feel the urge because it gets seriously itchy, but don't scratch! Just gently tap the itchy area instead.
Several experts warn that skipping these steps can lead to fading, patchiness, or an infection.
From my own experience with several tattoos and cover-ups, I know the process actually begins long before the needle touches your skin.
Choosing the right design is crucial because, while a cover-up can be an option if you change your mind later, it is not always a perfect solution.
The original tattoo's size, colour and placement can limit what is possible, and in many cases, the new design may have to be bigger or darker to hide the old one.
Another factor that is often overlooked is the technique of the artist. A heavy-handed approach, where the needle goes too deep or the pressure applied is too strong, can cause excessive trauma to the skin.
Even if you follow every aftercare instruction perfectly, a tattoo that's applied with too much force might take longer to heal, fade unevenly, or develop scarring, which can ruin its beauty altogether.
This is why choosing an experienced and skilled tattoo artist is just as important as caring for the tattoo afterwards.
It is also better to be certain about the design from the start. If you are unsure, start small with a tattoo that is easy to conceal.
This allows you to see how you feel about having something permanent before committing to a large or highly visible piece.
As much as tattoos are meaningful, they should still be fun and creative. However, they also don't always have to have a significant meaning behind them; sometimes you can get it because it was cute and it caught your eye, just be certain about it because it is permanent after all.
There has to be a balance of excitement with proper planning as they can mark milestones, reflect your personality, make you look cool, or simply be art you love.
Always conduct your own research before putting permanent ink on your body, and know what you're getting into.
Make sure your tattoo remains something you will be proud to wear for years to come, even at 60.
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