Tattoo Care Basics

13, Feb 2022 | TattooCare

You finally did it, you’ve got the tattoo you always wanted. But now that you’ve got an awesome, new tattoo, what comes next? 

Aftercare is essential for keeping your tattoo looking fabulous.

So how do you take care of your new tattoo to prevent infection, scaring and keep it looking good for years to come?

On the day of the session:

  • When your artist has completed the session, they should apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment over the tattoo and then cover the area in a bandage or plastic wrap to help protect from bacteria getting into your skin. This also protects the tattoo from rubbing onto your clothes and getting irritated.
  • Keep the dressing on for as long as your tattoo artist recommends. After you take off the dressing, wash the tattoo using lukewarm water and antibacterial soap, to get rid of the product and blood that could be leftover, and pat it dry – don’t rub it. And don’t use hot water on a new tattoo as this can cause real damage and make the area susceptible to bacteria and ink leaking. 
  • Apply a small amount of alcohol-free, antibacterial moisturizer to the tattoo. And avoid products that are petroleum-based that can cause the ink to bleed or fade. Also make sure it doesn’t contain additives, such as coloured dye, that could dry out your skin
  • You can keep the covering off at this point to let your skin breathe.

TIP: When applying moisturiser, don’t use excessive amounts. Use a very thin, consistent layer often – apply it 3 to 5 times a day rather than in one big hit.

Over the next couple of weeks

  • Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and lukewarm water and gently pat dry before reapplying Primal Herbaria TattooCare after you clean it to keep it moist.
  • Try not to wear clothes that will stick to your tattoo and avoid swimming and the sun for about 2 weeks.
  • If going outside cover your tattoo with loose clothing. Don’t cover your tattoo with sunblock until it’s fully healed

A few Words on Scabbing & Scaring

Healing tattoos is a process. If your tattoo scabs a bit or develops hard layers, don’t worry. It’s normal. Healing can be shortened by leaving scabs and dead skin alone!

Picking and scratching scabs can make the healing take much longer and increase the risk of infection and scaring.

You must fight the urge to scratch your skin. Itching and dryness is super normal, and an indication that you need to remoisturise your tattoo more.  If the itch becomes unbearable, use your open palm to “pat” your skin to imitate scratching.

And if you think your tattoo is infected, or isn’t healing properly, go see your doctor.

Long-term tattoo aftercare tips

Once your tattoo has healed, you move into maintenance mode, and there are things you can do to prevent the ink from degrading and your tattoo fading.

  • Keep your tattoo clean – Wash your skin daily with a gentle, fragrance-free soap.
  • Keep your tattoo moisturised – Use Primal Herbaria TattooCare on an ongoing basis to keep your tattoo moisturised and looking greats.
  • Watch what you wear. Wear sunscreen and sun protective clothing so the sun won’t fade your tattoo. And avoid tight or scratchy fabrics, such as wool, which can damage the art.