4 Tattoo Care Tips to Help Them Last Longer

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Lots of people are getting tattoos to express themselves as their popularity has increased. Gone are the days when having a tattoo of any kind, no matter what size, was stigmatized by most people. Now it’s a great way to show your interests, your sense of style, and to honour your loved ones. 

If you’re getting a tattoo, however, it’s a good idea to know how to properly care for it. This is true right after you get one, and forever afterwards. Without proper care your skin can get infected, can turn into scar tissue, or the tattoo itself can become faded, stretched, and just not look as good.

Here are four tips for caring for your tattoo.

#1) Follow Aftercare Instructions

The most important time to really be careful with how you handle your tattoo is right after you get it. Your skin will be technically wounded, and at a much greater risk for infection. If you want to make sure that it heals quickly and properly, and looks as good as it should, follow these aftercare tips:

• Keep the bandage or plastic wrap on it for at least one day.
• Keep it covered from any light or heat for at least one day.
• Use antibacterial soap for the first two weeks.
• Apply coconut oil or something else to keep it moisturized.

These are the typical things your tattoo artist will advise you about. Another tip in the first day or two after you get the tattoo is to keep the inflammation down, which is something CBD oil can help with. CBD is great at reducing inflammation and comes loaded with antioxidants and omega fatty acids. You can read more about the CBD oil benefits for skin to see how it can help.

#2) Wash It Regularly

Even after you get the tattoo, you will need to wash it regularly to make sure it stays clean and doesn’t get infected. You won’t necessarily need special antibacterial soap, but make sure you do use soap. The other benefit of washing it regularly is keeping your skin moisturized. 

#3) Keep It Hydrated

Speaking of which, it’s also very important to keep the skin around your tattoo moisturized. If your skin gets too dry, it can become cracked and damaged, which can actually damage your tattoo. You can apply moisturizer to keep it hydrated, or use special lotion for tattoos. Otherwise, just make sure to wash yourself frequently enough to keep your skin clean and moisturized. 

#4) Always Use Sunscreen 

The last good tip is to always make sure to care for your tattoo when you’re going outside for a  prolonged period. Sunlight damages skin even without a tattoo. It’s not noticeable right away, but being outside without covering your skin or using proper sunscreen can lead to your skin becoming dry, damaged, or even burned. None of that is good for your tattoo, so always make sure to use good, strong sunscreen on your tattoo before going outside.
These are the best tips for keeping your tattoo safe and healthy, so it doesn’t become stretched or faded prematurely. As long as you follow all of these tips on a regular basis, it will last a long time and look great. It’s also a good idea to follow general skin health, which will help your tattoo as well as your skin in general.