10 tips on how best to heal a new tattoo

1. Never wrap your tattoo again 

If your tattoo artist covers your new tattoo with plastic sheeting or a padded bandage, remove it after a few hours according to his instructions and do not reapply it. Rewrapping the tattoo can reduce oxygen flow and make your skin unable to breathe, which can impair healing and even damage the tattoo ink.

2. Never touch your tattoo with dirty hands 

It may sound a bit strange, but many people forget how dirty their hands can get. Keep in mind that your freshly tattooed skin is an open wound that is very vulnerable to infection during the first 7-10 days.

3. Don’t wash a fresh tattoo with hot water

Your skin is very sensitive during the healing process and hot water can cause irritation and open pores, which can even cause ink to ooze out. When washing a freshly made tattoo, rinse it only lightly with lukewarm water and never over-soak it.

4. Do not use excessive, artificial fragrances, alcohol-based soaps or products containing allergenic essential oils on fresh tattoos.

These products contain ingredients that can irritate or even damage your skin during the healing phase. Artificial fragrances cause rashes, irritation and itching. Alcohol-based products are not suitable for open wounds and can also severely dry out your tattoo. This risks damage, improper healing and premature fading.

5. Never wash or rub the tattoo with a cloth or towel 

During the healing phase, gently wash the tattoo and lightly clean the tattoo area with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free antibacterial soap in a circular motion. Then rinse well with lukewarm water. Use a clean towel or paper towel and gently dry the tattooed skin area without rubbing.

6. Don’t tear scabs or peeled skin

Removing scabs from your new tattoo is a recipe for disaster, as doing so can cause scarring. To reduce scabs and itching, make sure your tattoo is well moisturized at all times with a high-quality cream such as Tattoo Care. 

7. Avoid the sun

The sun’s UV rays are extremely harmful to your tattooed skin. Fresh ink is sensitive to the sun, making it more susceptible to damage even with short exposure times. During the first 6-8 weeks of healing, keep your new tattoo carefully covered when you go out. Once the tattoo has healed, always use a good quality UV sunscreen such as Tattoo Care Sun Protection. 

8. Avoid wearing tight clothing 

Wearing tight clothing can damage your new tattoo. Friction can cause irritation, rashes, infection or even scabs, and it can damage the ink, which will stop the tattoo from having shiny, crisp lines.

9. Avoid going to the gym too early 

Many people don’t realize it, but exercise puts some strain on the immune system, so it’s a good idea to take a few days off from the gym after getting a tattoo and let your body heal. Another problem with exercising too quickly during the healing phase of a tattoo is sweating. Just like sitting in a hot sauna, sweating opens your pores and increases the risk of bacterial infections or ink damage. 

10. Make sure the tattoo is well moisturized from the first moment

It is not advisable to use mineral oil-based products or products with aggressive skin-treating ingredients (e.g. drugstore products/medicines) on a new tattoo. Although they may be recommended by a professional, they may be too aggressive for the ink or ink located in the subcutaneous tissue. During the healing phase, these (otherwise popular) products can clog your pores and make your skin unable to breathe due to their excessive oil content. In addition, they cause the healing process to proceed too quickly (because the product is made for wounds and not tattoos). This can affect the loss and fading of the ink in the subcutaneous tissue. In some cases, they can even damage your freshly made skin artwork. You are probably now wondering why people use them for this purpose anyway? The answer is simple – they are cheap and most well-known.

But times have changed and we are now much wiser when it comes to tattoo skin care. There are many more effective, healthier and better options. So why take the risk? 

Choose the premium quality Tattoo Care Classic ointment instead, which is suitable for protecting fresh tattoos as well as for restoring and caring for older tattoos. It is made from natural ingredients that are proven to have positive effects in faster skin recovery after tattooing and in the care of existing tattoos. In addition, compared to other products, it contains at least 7 nourishing ingredients that truly nourish the skin and have an excellent effect on the ink. The ointment is developed according to a traditional apothecary’s recipe and based on almost 30 years of experience in the production of ointments for skin protection. 

Tip: We recommend that you purchase Tattoo Care ointment before your tattoo so that you have it handy at home and can ensure that your tattoo heals quickly and effectively from day one. 

By following these simple steps, you can make sure that your new tattoo heals properly and stays beautiful for years to come.