HOW TO CURE A TATTOO: TIPS FOR A GOOD AND FAST HEALING

More and more people are choosing to get a tattoo. Tattooing a symbol, a phrase or a specific design is in any case an important step because you decide to have it imprinted on your skin indelibly. In addition to the euphoria that you feel immediately before and after the appointment with the tattoo artist, it is essential to take care of the tattoo in the best way from the first hours of execution: only in this way will you avoid the risk of infections or complications that would make healing very slower and more painful, which is why we have collected tips and tricks for you to follow on how to take care of a tattoo.

Before starting, however, do you already know everything there is to know before getting a tattoo?

The first care for the tattoo

Once the tattoo is done, it is the same tattoo artist who disinfects it and then applies an "abundant dose of soothing cream or balm to the affected area. Very often these are creams like Bepanthenol, but the brand can vary according to preferences and habits. In any case, products such as petroleum jelly are increasingly rarely used because they are too heavy and can clog the pores of the skin. Finally, everything is protected with transparent film, the same one used in the kitchen.

When you leave the studio, however, it's up to us to take care of the tattoo carefully. Here are the basic tips for the first few hours:

Do not remove the film for at least 2-4 hours: the tattoo artist himself will say precisely for how long, but in any case it is good to leave the protective film to keep the skin hydrated and protected from dust and dirt.
Wash the tattoo with the appropriate products: after washing your hands well and removing the transparent film, carefully clean the tattoo using a mild and neutral soap or detergent. Do not use perfumed products or products with an altered pH as they could redden and create inflammation in contact with the skin that has just been tattooed.
Dry the tattoo and apply a new layer of cream: when you have finished cleaning and moisturizing it, gently pat the tattoo with a piece of paper or a napkin, avoiding towels that may contain bacteria, or let it air dry. Once when dry, apply a thin layer of ointment or antibiotic cream, the same recommended by the tattoo artist.The product, during the whole healing period, should be applied 2-3 times a day.

The rules for the first few days

For a good and fast healing, it is good to follow certain precautions for at least 10-20 days from when the tattoo was made. The actual healing time may vary depending on the tattoo itself: for example, colored tattoos can take a few days longer than black and white ones, but this estimate will also depend on the size, position on the body and the amount of color injected. by the tattoo artist.

Hydrate the tattooed part often

The tattoos must be cleaned carefully even in the days immediately following. You should continue washing your new tattoo with warm water and soap or neutral detergent 2 or 3 times a day until small scabs or ink residues appear on the affected area. The same goes for the cream: the tattooed skin will no longer be covered with the transparent film but it will be necessary to continue applying a thin layer of ointment for 10 days, or in any case until it heals completely.

Don't scratch!

Anyone who has several tattoos knows: after a few days from sitting with the tattoo artist, small scabs form that can cause a little discomfort and itching. The secret, however, lies precisely in not touching the affected area with your hands and leaving that dry skin and excess purged color come off naturally. Scratching a freshly made tattoo or removing scabs can leave white spots on the skin or run into an infection that makes the healing process even longer.

An inflamed tattoo looks swollen and makes the skin very sensitive, almost impossible to touch. In these cases it is necessary to resort to the use of an antibacterial cream, but only after consulting your doctor or a dermatologist. To avoid this risk, therefore, try to touch your new tattoo as little as possible and, if you feel too itchy , spread a thin layer of cream and let it absorb slowly.

Let your skin breathe

For quick healing, it would be best to avoid covering the tattoo. In fact, once the transparent protective film has been removed, it should no longer be covered either with bandages or with various clothes or fabrics. In this case, the problem arises especially in winter where it is not very often possible to leave the tattooed skin uncovered and only in contact with the air. What you can do is to avoid wearing or putting garments in synthetic fabric directly on the tattoo. or in wool that make it difficult for the skin to breathe, while cotton clothes that are more delicate and breathable are suitable.

Attention to sun exposure and more

If in winter there is the problem of non-breathable fabrics and the scarce possibility of leaving the tattoo as soon as it is uncovered, in summer the "enemies" of the tattoo are sun, sea, sand and sweat. In fact, all these things can irritate the skin. or even have negative reactions with the color just injected. For this reason, you must avoid exposing yourself to the sun for at least 10 days or two weeks and using tanning lamps. The same goes for sea water, swimming pools, saunas and, in general, for spas, because it may contain chemicals, bacteria, dirt or other impurities that can generate infections.

Caring for a tattoo on a daily basis

When the tattoo is completely healed, there are no more "restrictions" in terms of clothing and skin care. You can easily start using perfumed products for the body and garments in any fabric while paying attention, during the first few times, that there is no reaction with the new tattoo. The only good habit that remains after the healing period remains that of protection when exposed to the sun. Experts recommend often applying a good amount of high protective factor sunscreen to tattoos, even those of "old" date. , 30 or 50 spf. Doing so will prevent the tattoos from fading over time.