Tattoo Healing Time

There are many individuals who go in and get tattoos on a regular basis.  Some of them feel that the only thing that really goes into it is actually having the ink done at the tattoo parlor. The fact of the matter is, that is only a part of the overall process.  If you don’t take the necessary steps in order to care for your tattoo after it has been completed, you will end up with a much longer tattoo healing time as a result.  Fortunately, there is not a lot that is necessary in order for you to properly take care of your new tattoo.  What is necessary, however, is that you actually do take care of it.

Whenever you leave the shop after having your tattoo done, you will have the area covered by a bandage.  This is where the tattoo healing time actually begins and you can begin helping it along at this particular time.  For example, make sure that you do not leave the bandage on for too long as this may increase the tattoo healing time significantly.  Whenever you were having the tattoo done, you were being poked multiple times with a needle and your skin was severely damaged.  You need to make sure that the area is able to breathe properly so that you do not run into difficulties with healing, further down the road.

You also need to make sure that you keep the area clean during the entire healing process.  This will take approximately 2 weeks if it is done properly.  Do not scrub the area with a washcloth as this may damage the tattoo and cause a heavy scab to form.  Gently soap the area with your fingertips in order to keep it clean during this time.

Another thing that you need to keep in mind is the fact that you must keep the area moist but not overly moist.  If you are not balanced in this regard, you can cause a scab to form.  Although a scab will not necessarily do any damage, if it is allowed to crack or peal improperly, it can actually damage your tattoo.  By making sure that you keep the area moist, a protective coating will form over the damaged area that will peel off in a layer.  Make sure that you do not help this process along by peeling it manually as you may take some of the ink along with it.

There are also multiple products on the market that you can apply to your new ink in order to reduce tattoo healing time and to make sure that no damage occurs along the way.  The person that gave you the tattoo will be able to recommend one of these products to you.  As with anything else, you want to make sure that you use it consistently so that you receive the maximum benefits and the final job is exactly as nice as you wanted it to be.

Health Risks Of Tattoos

Although there are many individuals who go in to have tattoos done, most of them are not really concerned about the overall tattoo health or the dangers that may be involved in the process.  For these individuals, they may be in for more than what they bargained for, especially if they do not do a little bit of research ahead of time.  Not only can understanding what is involved as far as tattoo health is concerned help you through the process, it can also help you to have a superior job done.  It all starts with understanding the process which is where we will begin as well.

The tattoo process is relatively simple to understand.  Ink is injected underneath your skin through the use of a sharp instrument, typically a needle.  By use of special tools, such as tattoo guns, the needle is able to penetrate the skin hundreds of times, each time depositing a little bit of ink out of the tube that is connected to the gun.  You might liken it to being somewhat similar to a person that is sewing.  The entire process can actually take quite some time and larger tattoos may require you to visit on several occasions before they are finished.  Although people may be prepared in advance, many are still shocked by the amount of pain that is involved with having the process done.

Fortunately, it is very rare for any tattoo health concerns to actually be of any concern.  This is really amazing considering what is actually taking place whenever you are having a tattoo process done.  It does go to show you that many individuals who do tattooing actually take it very seriously, including any health concerns that may be involved.  Of course, there is always the chance that something could go wrong and things such as infections and other reactions that happen as a result of the needles puncturing the skin do take place.  That is why it is always necessary to make sure that you are going into a sterile environment when you’re going to have your tattoo done.

Another thing that may be of concern is the ink that is used during the tattoo process.  As a result of these inks and the tattooing process being considered cosmetic, they do not have come under the scrutiny of the food and drug administration.  That doesn’t mean, however, that you should go into it with your eyes totally closed.  It is common for people to have allergic reactions to tattoo ink, specifically red ink, for one reason or another.  On top of that, no long-term studies have ever been done to see what would result from a person being tattooed and having ink in their system for years.

As long as you are cautious and make sure that the person who is doing the tattooing process is trustworthy and that their business is clean, you can get your ink with relative confidence.

Can NeoSporin Be Used On A Tattoo?

It is very important to take care of a new tattoo. Doing so helps keep it free from infection and from causing the color and detail to fade. It is recommended that you use an antibiotic ointment on the tattoo wound in the first couple of days to avoid infection. Can Neosporin be used?

Neosporin is an triple antibiotic which is good for healing cuts and bruises. It was also highly recommended for tattoo aftercare. Some have blamed Neosporin for loss of color and blotchy tattoos. However, Neosporin is not the direct cause of this. Some persons have had allergic reactions to Neosporin resulting in tiny bumps on their tattoos. When these bumps go away there can be some loss of color in excess of what is normally expected in the weeks after the tattoo is done. Over the years Neosporin has become less and less popular for use with tattoos. Not all persons have had reactions to it, however, so the decision is a personal one.

Other arguments against the use of Neosporin include the fact that it has a healing agent which speeds along the healing process. This, of course, also applies to any triple antibiotic. It may sound like an advantage to someone who wants to the tattoo to heal quickly. However, some tattoo artists argue that the tattoo heals best when the healing process is natural. Other tattoo artists have no qualms about recommending it. In fact, Neosporin continues to be recommended by many artists who have had experience using it and have had not problems or complaints about it. Whichever antibiotic ointment is used, only a thin layer of the product must be applied. It is also not advisable that it be used more than the recommended number of times for the day (according to the instructions).

Those who have chosen not to use Neosporin may use Tattoo Goo or Bacitracin. The antibiotic ointment is only used for the first couple of days while the tattoo wound is healing. After this a lotion, baby oil or cocoa butter can be used to avoid excessive dryness. To help you make the right decision, you may want to test the product on your skin first to see if you have any reaction to it. If you do not have an allergic reaction then there is nothing wrong with using that product. It is advisable that you follow the instructions of you tattoo artist. If he/she recommends something then you should probably follow their directions unless you are allergic to the product. In general, it is always important that you let your tattoo artist know of any products you are allergic to.

Proper Care Of A New Tattoo

The directions given by each tattoo artist varies. Some recommend different products. Some say to take the bandage off in a couple of hours while others think its best to leave it on for a much longer period of time. Tattoo care, especially in the weeks after it is done, is very important to maintaining the vibrant color and detail. It is important to follow the specific guidelines provided by your artist, however, there are some basic instructions that will be outlined here.

Firstly, do not remove the bandage until you are directed to do so. As mentioned before the suggested time varies and so it is best to follow the instructions provided by your tattoo artist. This must be done gently so as not to cause damage. Some would encourage you to carefully wash the area using antibacterial soap and clean water. However, you may want to simply use a tissue to get rid off any excess ointment or oozing body fluid since water can affect the healing process and it is generally recommended that you keep the tattoo away from water as much as possible for the first couple of weeks. Therefore, it is not advised that you go swimming in this period or take long showers or baths. Generally you should cover it when showering and if it does get wet, pat it dry rather than rubbing it.

The tattoo must be keep moisturized but too much moisture is not good. Therefore, you may apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment. You may try the brand that your tattoo artiste recommends. Some popular products used in aftercare include A&D, Bacitracin and Tattoo Goo. Some persons have had allergic reactions to some products so it is advised that test the product and watch out for signs of a reaction to the ointment. Oozing from the tattoo may continue for a couple of days. This is normal. Simply use a tissue to get rid of the fluid and apply the ointment. You may switch from the ointment simply to baby oil or lotion after a couple of days.

It is important to let the tattoo heal naturally. Do not pick at it or remove scabbing prematurely. Also, avoid excess exposure to the sun in the initial healing stages. After it is healed continue to user lotion to keep it moisturized and sun-block for when you are going to be in the sun for long periods of time.

If you notice that the wound is not healing but rather the redness, oozing is getting worse, you may want to contact your tattoo artist to ensure that nothing has gone wrong. Also, if you begin to see discolored ooze (yellow-green) then this may be indicative of an infection and you may need to contact your tattoo artist as well as see a doctor.

Which Lotion Should You Use On A New Tattoo?

So you just got inked up a few days ago, and you’re now wondering what lotion you should use to keep your skin soft in the “after care” healing process? Good question!

There seems to be quite the debate on lotion usage in the days following a fresh tattoo, and there is good reason for that. A lot of the different views and arguments come from top professionals in the bodyart industry, who have literally spent years and years trying out different procedures, ointments, and lotions for healing a tattoo after it’s done.

The arguments seem to be appropriate though, but the problem is that there are entirely too many variables when it comes to skin types. Each person has unique skin, which may react differently to different types of after care lotions, so it’s often possible that what works best for your best friend, may end up giving you a rash or some other type of allergic reaction. Crazy, right?

Some artists recommend using nothing but lotion from the first day after the tattoo, some say to use anti-infection ointment and then lotion, and some professional artists say to never use lotion, as it’s not “clean”, and can turn into a possible breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

There’ve been a few specially designed lotions for tattoos (Tattoo Lube, and Tattoo Goo off the top of my head), and there are more and more coming out every day. Lubriderm was always a safe bet, although some people claim it stings when applied. The main thing you want to find is something with Vitamins A and D, and something that helps soothe and heal dry skin. Tattoo Goo is nice because it doesn’t contain lanolin (which some lotions do, and it can cause allergic reactions if you’re allergic to sheep’s wool), it’s fragrance free, and contains all the minerals and nutrients you need to get your skin back to normal. Here is another tattoo aftercare alternative that we recommend.

Make sure you get a clean lotion that is free of dyes and fragrances, and don’t get some cheap, store brand every day lotion, because not only could it cause irritation and infection, it could also lead to color leakage and similar negative side effects, and that’s the last thing you want after spending good money for the tattoo!

The best thing you can do is talk to your artist, and ask him what the latest and greatest is in aftercare lotions, and definitely go with his recommendations. If what he recommends is a bit more expensive than you thought it would be, it’s worth the extra $3-$5, because just remember, you just got a lifelong commitment with that new tattoo, and it’s in your best interest to take care of it the best you can!