It will break your heart if your tattoo doesn't look as good as it used to be when you had it done. You may even end up spending an equal sum of money on re-touching it. It's essential for a tattoo to look nice once it heals and if you don't want that that to happen to you, here are some tattoo after care tips suggested by tattoo artist Al Alva:
Cleaning and moisturising
A newly done tattoo is as good as a wound. The epidermis of the skin reacts to the wound and secrets a transparent fluid to protect germs from entering the body. The surface of the tattooed skin must be cleaned regularly without wetting it in water. You can take a piece of cloth, wet it in water and dab it on the tattoo to clear it of germs. Moisturises it with a body lotion afterwards.
Apply ointment
Calendula is a herbal remedy which heals wounds and soothes the skin. Apply a very thin layer of the cream on the tattoo thrice a day. Continue the treatment for the first 15 days.
Don't go for a swim, or the jacuzzi
Take short showers when you bathe. But going for a swim or taking a steam bath will lead your skin to form scabs as a reaction to chlorine and heat respectively and spoil the texture of tattoo. The thicker the scabs the lighter will be the colour of your tattoo when it heals.
Avoid sweating
If you are a health freak, don't exercise for 15 days after you get a tattoo. The salt in your sweat causes the same damage to the tattoo as chlorine or sea water by forming scabs.
Keep away from the sun
Long exposure to the sun could cause the tattoo to discolour. Avoid applying sunscreen and wear long sleeves to protect the area.
Don't shave
If you have got a tattoo on a spot where you need to shave regularly, avoid doing so till the tattoo is completely healed. Shaving may cause your skin to peel and erode the ink within.
No scratching
Your tattoo will start itching within first five-six days. Itching is a sign that your skin has started to heal but do not scratch, rub or press it against your body. It is possible that by doing so you may be scratching the ink out of the tattoo even before it can settle down in your body.
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