Application of
On the fourth day, wash it like normal, let it air dry and from that day stop wrapping it in cling film and stop using Bepanthen. Now start moisturising it. I use E45 moisturising lotion. It works for all different skin types.
My artist recommended stopping using ointment after the first couple days because your tattoo needs to breathe… he recommended switching to something lighter like coconut oil, cocoa butter, or an unscented lotion like Cetaphil. You want to keep the tattoo moist but allow air to it.
Apply the ointment once or twice a day for the first 3 to 4 days, especially if the tattoo feel dry or “tight”. Keeping a light protective layer of moisture will ensure the least amount of scabbing and peeling, thereby reducing any color fade. Make sure your hands are freshly washed before applying ointment.
If the tattooed area looks flawless with no signs of peeling, including thin dead skin cells that look like sunburn, then it's most likely healed.
Over-moisturising can lead to inflamed tattoos and potentially infection. Excess moisture can clog your skin's pores which prevents it from breathing, something that's important for your skin to heal. This can lead to breakouts on the skin that can damage the tattoo.
Until the surface of the tattoo is healed (at a minimum of two to three weeks), wash the area gently 2-3 times per day. After cleaning the tattoo during this two to three week period, gently apply a thin coat of a lotion-based care product. We recommend After Inked tattoo moisturizer and aftercare lotion.
Although the tattoo shouldn't be overly scabbed or too dry (the less peeling and scabbing, the better), a little bit is just part of the healing process.
Tattoo healing time varies depending on the person, though typically from the inking to the initial surface healing can take 7 – 14 days. However, your body is still regenerating skin cells after this, so it is important to continue moisturizing.
-Ointment such as Bepanthen first aid, or a tattoo specific aftercare product such as supreme crème. (Do not use anything with aloe in it, antiseptic/iodine ointment, Lubriderm, Chapstick, Vaseline or haemorrhoid cream).
Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight and avoid sunscreens as they contain irritants which can inflame your skin and disrupt the healing process, and ruin your art. Avoid soaking in baths, saunas, swimming in pools or the ocean until your tattoo has healed as both can lead to infections and irritation.
Be sure to pat the area dry with a clean paper towel or cloth. Apply a thin layer of ointment or lotion to the tattooed area to keep it moisturised and promote healing. Avoid using too much ointment, as this can trap bacteria and prevent the wound from breathing.
Bepanthen® is so gentle, it can be used at every nappy change to help the most sensitive of skins, including that of premature babies. Bepanthen® contains Provitamin B5 which gently helps sensitive skin to repair its natural protective barrier while keeping it soft, smooth and moisturised.
Whatever the design or location of your ink, Bepanthen Tattoo helps keep your skin looking healthy and feeling good. It contains Provitamin B5 that helps support sensitive skin's natural regeneration process. It has been dermatologically tested on tattooed skin. Follow the advice of your tattoo artist.
Because Bepanthen is such a gentle and nourishing formula, it's not surprising that many top tattoo artists will recommend this, and only this for their clients. It's a gentle healing formula which is soothing and breathable, and full of Vitamin B5 which aids the skin's natural recovery.
Too much balm can be problematic, as skin needs to breathe while healing, but what happens if you don't put any on at all? Without moisturiser, there's a risk that healing skin will get very dry, tight and itchy, and itchy skin that you can't scratch - that in fact you shouldn't touch at all - is not much fun!
Don't worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and masks its true appearance. In time this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself, revealing your tattoo underneath in all its vibrant glory.
If black or colored ink is flaking off and the color under the flake is different, that is normal. Expect more. If you miss a few chances to wash it or moisturize it, don't worry. Your body is completely capable of healing it without any help.
Drunken behaviour could ruin your new tattoo
You need to be aware of keeping your tattoo clean and dry while it is fresh, so a night out might not be the best option. It's generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours after your new tattoo before you start drinking alcohol again.
Most sources indicate that tattoos generally take about 2 weeks to heal. However, it may take up to 4 weeks for the skin to fully recover. Some complications may prolong the healing process. The following is what a person can typically expect.
Tattoos technically start healing right away but it takes about four months for your tattoo to fully heal. The outer layers of your skin will heal in about two to four weeks, while the deeper layers where the ink sits will take about 4 months to heal. That's the short answer!
The Next Healing Stages
It is normal to feel slightly under the weather for the first 48-72 hours after getting a tattoo. After around 72 hours, you should start to feel better and enter a new stage of the healing process. On day 3, expect your tattoo to have a cloudy appearance from scab formation.
2-6 Days After Your New Tattoo
Now you'll start to notice that your tattoo looks a bit dull, perhaps even have a 'cloudy-looking' appearance. It may also look red, swollen and still ooze blood, plasma, lymphatic fluid and ink. Not to worry! This is normal.