What is Tattoo After care?

There are several different schools of thought on tattoo aftercare. Aftercare is essentially the steps taken during the healing process of a tattoo. How you care for a new tattoo from the first day right up to the time it's fully healed and become a seamless part of your skin constitutes tattoo aftercare. 

Today, tattoo professionals have access to high-quality products that assist in the healing process and enhance the beauty of a tattoo. 

Proper aftercare is still a matter of debate though, and while anyone with access to a network can put out a list of do's and do not's that seems accurate, it may not be the best way to look after your new tattoo. 

We recommend always following your professional tattoo artists advice on appropriate tattoo-aftercare.

This guide is our professional opinion on how to take care of the tattoo you've just got.

Tattoo Aftercare by Eternal Expression

To properly care for your tattoo, you need to first understand what a tattoo is. A tattoo is a series of tiny nicks made by tattoo needles which deposit tattoo ink a few layers under the skin. This means that a new tattoo is quite similar to a fresh wound on the skin. Since the needles break the surface of the skin as they deposit the ink, a tattoo will form a scab as it heals up.

The first thing to do with a fresh tattoo is to let it dry and begin scabbing i.e begin healing. This could take anywhere between 4 and 48 hours from the time the tattoo was completed. The exact drying time varies between individuals as it depends on a host of factors like the individual's health, diet, lifestyle and environmental factors.

Once your tattoo begins to dry and starts scabbing, the similarity between it and a wound ends. 

From now on, the tattoo needs constant care and attention until it is fully healed, which could take 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the factors mentioned above.

Moisturization is crucial to the health of your tattoo, and we recommend using a good quality tattoo aftercare balm like Tattoo Goo or Tat Wax. A thin layer of balm needs to be massaged gently into the tattoo several times a day for two weeks minimum.

Protection from sunlight, rain, steam, dust and using a good sunscreen are also essential precautions during tattoo healing.

For detailed Step-by-Step instructions on aftercare, read our post titled How to care for your new Tattoo.

Your Tattoo is a permanent part of your skin and deserves the best care you can give it. Following the right aftercare and using high-quality products specially formulated for tattoos will give your ink that extra nourishment it needs to look Spectacular!