Tattoo Artist Reveals Quickest Ways To Heal The Skin After A Tattoo

1. Make sure you go to a reputable artist

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When you want a tattoo, it is really important that you think about it carefully because you're going to have to live with it for a long time.  There are different factors to consider including your job, but it is extremely important that you do your research and go to a reputable and knowledgeable tattoo artist for the best experience.

2. Follow the aftercare advice given to you by your artist

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It is in your's and your tattoo artist's interest for your tattoo to heal beautifully so you must make sure that you listen to and follow your artist's specific instructions precisely.  And if you have any questions during the healing process, it is certainly worth contacting them first for advice.

3. Keep it clean

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Your tattoo is essentially a wound, so in order to avoid infection and help it to heal wonderfully, you must make sure you keep the area clean.  To do this, wash the area where you've been tattooed with lukewarm water and some gentle fragrance-free soap, avoiding any scrubbing of the area.

4. Pat it dry

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When you dry your tattoo after washing it, you're going to want to make sure you avoid rubbing it with a towel as you probably usually do.  The best way to dry the area after washing is to pat it dry with a clean towel.  But you can also let it dry by itself too if you're not in a rush!

5. Apply your recommended ointment or tattoo-specific cream

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You will find that your tattoo will begin to scab over after a day or two, and it'll start to get really dry.  So in order to avoid it cracking and scabbing over too much, you really need to keep it moisturized, at least twice a day or whenever it's feeling dry.  Just use the ointment or cream that you have been told to use.

6. Avoid petroleum-based products

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If you are struggling to find a tattoo-specific cream or ointment, all you need to do is make sure that it is first fragrance-free in order to avoid any irritation and perhaps formulated with vitamin B5 to improve your skin's moisture barrier.  And then you also need to make sure that you avoid any petroleum-based products like petroleum jelly.

7. Wear loose and breathable clothing

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Like with any skin concern that needs to heal, your tattoo is going to need to be able to breathe.  So it's important that you make sure that you wear lose fitting clothing at least over the tattooed area.  You should also wear clothes made of natural fibers too to avoid irritation.

8. Stay out of the sun!

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The sun's UV rays can be really harmful to your tattoo, even when it is healed!  You should make sure that when healing, your tattoo stays out of the sun.  Once healed, make sure you apply an SPF cream to it and avoid sunburn, as this exposure to UV rays can fade the color and blur the lines of your tattoo.

9. DO NOT PICK!

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If you want your tattoo to heal beautifully and quickly, it is so important that you DO NOT PICK any of the delicious-looking scabs, however tempting they might be!  You will risk picking out whole chunks of your tattoo which would just be devastating for you and your artist!

10. Avoid soaking or swimming

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You're also going to need to make sure that you avoid submerging your tattoo in water for prolonged periods of time.  This includes soaking in the bath, swimming in a pool, relaxing in a hot tub, or even a sauna.  This is to make sure that you prevent getting any nasty infections.

11. Drink plenty of water

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This is a tip that not many people think of when it comes to effectively healing tattoos quickly but staying hydrated is so important if you want to make sure your skin and your body are fully hydrated.  This will aid the healing process and even make it quicker!

12. Protect your tattoo from abrasion

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This one might be obvious, but if you regularly take part in any activities that cause friction on your skin, whether it's an active hobby or contact sports, you're going to want to put that on pause during your healing process in order to avoid abrasion on the tattooed area of skin.

13. Do not over moisturize

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You're going to want to keep the area moisturized in order to avoid it becoming dry and scabs forming, but you need to make sure you don't over-moisturize the area.  This is because excessive moisture can stop the skin from breathing and therefore prolong the healing process.

14. Maintain proper hygiene

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Before moisturizing your tattoo or touching it with your hands, you must make sure you maintain proper hygiene and wash them thoroughly.  You should also make sure you clean your tattoo regularly and make sure your clothing that covers the area is clean too.

15. Avoid direct application of ice or heat

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Your tattoo might be sore and swollen immediately after having it completed, and when it is healing, it is probably going to become extremely itchy.  So you might be tempted to apply an ice or heat pack to the area in order to soothe it.  However, you should avoid applying extreme temperatures directly to the area as it can cause damage to the healing skin.

16. Have showers, not baths

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You need to make sure you avoid soaking your tattoo for prolonged periods of time so it is also advisable that you opt for showers instead of baths.  Showers are a much better option than baths during the healing process because baths can increase the risk of infection.

17. Avoid tight clothing

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You should wear loose and light clothing over the tattooed area during the healing period and completely avoid tight clothing.  This is because, one, it's uncomfortable, but it's also going to be more likely to cause irritation which will slow down the healing process.

18. Eat a balanced and healthy diet

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If you make sure you consume a balanced and healthy diet, rich in vitamins and minerals, you're going to be helping your healing process because this can promote overall skin and body health which will aid the healing process too!  And your body and immune system will thank you too!

19. Be cautious with your pets

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If you have a pet, especially ones that like to jump up at you, you should be cautious with them.  They don't know you've got a delicate new tattoo, so they might jump up full pelt, causing you pain.  And if your pet has claws, it could give you a nasty infection if they scratch you in the area.

20. Avoid itching

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When your tattoo is healing, a few days in, it is going to get rather itchy.  And it might feel unbearably itchy too.  But it is so important that you avoid scratching or rubbing the area for some relief because you could risk causing an infection, or scratching scabs of, causing you pain.

21. Avoid excessive sweating

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We know that it's hard to avoid sweating completely, it's a natural bodily function!  But you should make sure you avoid sweating excessively at the beginning of your healing period.  Sweat is rather salty, and salt in a wound can be painful!  Excessive sweat can cause irritation to your tattoo and slow down the healing process.

22. Be mindful of your sleeping position

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You should also be mindful of your sleeping positions, particularly if your tattoo on an area of your body comes into contact with your bedding or clothing as you sleep.  If you sleep on it when it is fresh, you might risk it sticking to your clothing or bedding, and this can be pretty painful to peel off.  So try to find a comfortable position that minimizes rubbing whilst you sleep.

23. Resist the urge to redress your tattoo

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When you have a tattoo, your tattoo artist will dress your tattoo immediately after completion.  But this is not meant to stay on for long.  In fact, you are only advised to keep it on for one-night maximum and then after this, make sure you don't redress your tattoo as the skin needs to breathe in order to heal.

24. Avoid public saunas

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You should avoid public saunas too during the healing period.  This is because they can harbor bacteria which will increase your risk of developing an infection in the tattooed area of your skin.  So it is advised that you avoid these types of areas completely until you are fully healed.

25. Avoid alcohol or blood-thinning medications

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In order to aid the healing process, you should make sure you avoid using alcohol or taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin.  This is because these can increase the occurrence and amount of bleeding which will slow down the healing process.  If you are concerned, consult a medical professional.

26. Monitor for signs of infection

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Unfortunately, no matter how vigilant we are with our aftercare, there is always going to be a risk of infection in a new tattoo during the healing process.  So it is important that you monitor for signs of infection including increased redness, swelling, pus, or prolonged pain.  If you think you have an infection, you need to consult a medical professional.

27. Avoid using the area too much

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Depending on where you have had your tattoo on your body, you might need to use the area for everyday activities.  For example, if you have a tattoo on your calf, your calf will swell, and standing up for prolonged periods or walking a long way won't help with the swelling.  And this can also slow down the healing process.

28. Be mindful of environmental factors

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You need to think about the environmental factors that could affect the healing of your tattoo too.  For example, pollution or dusty environments.  If you can, you should limit your exposure to these environments or if you can't avoid this, cover your tattoo in breathable clothing to protect it while it heals.

29. Be patient

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Depending on different factors, including where your tattoo is located on your body, how big or small it is, and your own individual health and immune system, healing times for tattoos can vary.  So it's important that you are able to make sure you're patient and keep up with your aftercare until it is fully healed.

30. Every tattoo experience is unique

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Taking good care of your tattoo during the healing process is really the key to achieving a beautiful result.  But do remember that every tattoo experience and individual is unique so if you have any concerns or questions, it is important to speak to a reputable tattoo artist for advice.