Post treatment of a tattoo
introduction
When piercing a tattoo, paint is introduced into the middle layer of the skin (dermis) via a needle. Since this amounts to an injury to the skin, careful follow-up treatment must be carried out after the tattoo.
As with a slight abrasion or sunburn, the skin must be cared for and supported in its healing so that it recovers quickly and properly. There are certain rules for this, which are usually explained by the tattoo artist after the procedure. Non-compliance with this unofficial set of rules can lead to permanent changes in the image. For example, it can become thickly scarred and distorted. Changes in color or fading of the image are also possible with poor aftercare or the wrong tattoo technique.
The foil after the tattoo
After every tattoo there is one on the tattooed skin first Care cream and then a foil upset. Since the skin is injured, so-called Wound secretion eliminated. This secretion is interspersed with inflammatory cells and serves to flush bacteria out of the injured skin. Since the secretion can be sticky and the first sign of an onset Wound healing represents, in most cases it sticks together when it dries out. So that the fresh wound does not stick to the overlying clothing in this context and may be torn open when the item of clothing is taken off, should always a clean foil can be applied over a freshly made tattoo.
The wound secretion should be removed regularly after the tattoo is finished. For this purpose, the foil can be removed and the cream and secretion can be carefully washed off with lukewarm water. After reapplication, a film can be applied over the tattoo if there is a risk of irritation (from clothing) or contamination. If there is an option to leave the tattoo "in the air" uncovered, this should be done. This means that the wound secretion can be removed more frequently. This should be clear the entire time - wound fluid should be released from the skin for a maximum of three days. Yellow liquid is likely pus and gives a clear indication of inflammation. Usually the slide is still the first night worn and removed the following day. If the need arises, the film can be left on for the first one to three days - if the wound can be cleaned and the film changed. Just one clean foil fulfills its purpose.
Sports after the tattoo
By Sports not only the body is stressed, but also the skin. With every movement there is also a movement of the skin. Depending on where the tattoo was made, there is less or more stress during movement. Since a fresh tattoo represents a wound, overusing it can lead to further damage. Therefore, no sport should be practiced during the initial healing of the tattoo.
Due to the fact that healing can take different times for each person, a waiver from five days to two weeks to be necessary. Sweat-inducing sports are particularly included. Of the Sweat irritates the wounded skin and this can lead to inflammation. The sports ban applies particularly to images on the arms and legs, i.e. the parts of the body that are most stressed during sports activities.
Swimming after the tattoo
If the tattoo is briefly damp in its healing phase, this is not a problem. However, if it is exposed to moisture over a long period of time, this is not good for the skin. By Chlorine-containing waterAs happens in swimming pools, the skin is stressed and dries out faster after a bath. It also slows the healing process. Also Salt water and Sauna sessions must be refrained from for the time being. In the first two to four weeks a softening of the skin should be avoided. Although it is necessary to wash off the tattoo regularly, personal hygiene must initially be reduced to showering. Baths also soften the skin. All these measures prevent the skin from drying out and tearing open after being in the water, which can negatively affect the tattooed image as well as the follow-up treatment or healing.
Vaseline / Bepanthen
After a tattoo has been completed, the skin should be moisturized. This serves on the one hand to keep the skin moist and on the other hand to accelerate the healing process. Most tattoo artists have their own in this regard Anoint or Care creamsthat you apply to the picture after the work is done.
Often times this is Bepanthen® ointment utilized. Bepanthen® is a brand name and comes from the group of ointments containing dexpanthenol. All ointments or Skin creams with this ingredient basically have the same effect on the skin - they promote it Moisture build-up and improve the Wound healing. The latter happens because the cells in the skin regenerate more quickly. In addition to the dexpanthenol, the care products from the various manufacturers may differ in their ingredients. This can lead to individually different tolerances. Care lotions should be avoided. The word “lotion” means that these products contain perfumes. This represents an additional source of irritation for the already stressed skin.
In addition to Bepanthen® cream or ointments containing dexpanthenol, the classic vaseline can be used. The advantage here is that it is an over the counter care product and is available independently from pharmacies. In addition, petroleum jelly usually does not contain any additives - i.e. no other irritants. However, this type of care product is not a medical product - healing is not supported and can even be hindered if applied too thickly. Not everyone has sensitive skin and there are differences in wound healing. More resistant tattoo carriers can therefore confidently fall back on Vaseline, whereby people with sensitive skin should rather choose an ointment that supports healing.
In addition to Vaseline and Bepanthen®, there are numerous other care products specially designed for tattooed skin. The decision can be based on the experience of the tattoo artist. For the first 4 to 5 days, the tattoo should be washed carefully and rubbed in regularly (if possible, every four hours).
When can you go back into the sun?
Since the skin has already been damaged by the tattoo and is in the same state as after intense sunburn, care must be taken to protect it. This includes avoiding direct sunlight. Besides this visits to the solarium should also be avoided for the next six weeks after the picture has been completed. This prevents additional irritation of the skin and promotes healing. Also, these precautions can have a positive effect on the tattooed image. A sunburn can cause changes, especially in the first two weeks after completion. The image can become blurred and scar unevenly. The scarring may cause distortion or discoloration. These changes cannot be reversed. If necessary, the person concerned can have the entire tattoo removed again in an expensive treatment.
When can I go back to the sauna?
When you visit the sauna, the wound comes into contact with bacteria and other germs that can interfere with wound healing. In addition, the sweat irritates the sensitive skin, so that the tattoo can even become infected. A tattoo takes two to four weeks to heal. You should not visit the sauna during this period.
When can I shower again?
In order to support the wound healing process of the tattoo, you should refrain from showering for the first 48 hours after tattooing. In the first week, there are a few things to watch out for when showering. The water should be cold or lukewarm, as hot water causes pain on a fresh tattoo. When the water is hot, the pores also open, which can lead to loss of pigment. In addition, one should not let the water flow directly onto the tattooed skin. The best is to keep the shower short for the first week to expose the skin to as little steam, water and soap as possible. In addition, the tattoo should dry quickly after the shower. For this, it is important to take a clean towel and not rub it. You should carefully dab the freshly tattooed skin with the clean towel.
What does the follow-up treatment look like after a henna tattoo?
In order for the henna tattoo to reach a dark color, the henna paste has to stay on the skin as long as possible. To keep the color as long as possible, the care of the henna tattoo is very important. After the henna paste has been removed, the remnants are removed with olive oil on a cotton pad, not with water. It is recommended to avoid water for 48 hours after painting. If this is not possible, you should avoid contact with water for at least an hour. The longer you avoid water, the darker the henna tattoo becomes and the longer it will last. When doing chores, it is best to wear rubber gloves to protect the design. The henna color then lasts for one to four weeks. The duration depends on the skin type, how much henna has been applied and where on the body. In order to keep the henna tattoo as long as possible, it is recommended to wash less the part of the body where the henna paint is applied.
What does the aftercare look like if you have a tattoo done?
The post-treatment of a new tattoo looks just like a freshly made tattoo on previously untreated skin. This means that the tattoo artist applies a nourishing cream and foil to the after-pierced skin. The film can normally be removed the following day. During the healing process in the first few days after the tattoo has been re-pierced, exercise should be avoided during this time. This may take five days to two weeks as the sweat irritates the wounded skin. Swimming in chlorinated water should also be avoided during the healing phase. Salt water and saunas should also be avoided. As a rule, the re-pierced tattoo will heal after two to four weeks. If this is the case, saunas, salt water and swimming pools can be visited again.
