If you must be outside, always keep your tattoo covered, for at least the first 40 days. Cover Up with clothing or try to stay out of the sun. Never apply any sunscreen on a fresh tattoo. Some of these products have ingredients that are not good for your fresh ink during healing.
Despite the fact that it may be tempting to show off your new tattoo right away, you should wait at least 10-14 days until you let it get in contact with direct sunlight.
Cover the tattoo with clothing or a bandage, and use sunscreen, preferably with mineral screens. Indeed, unlike chemical filters, they block UV rays at the surface of the skin. As your skin has recently been damaged (by the tattoo needle, itching…) the sun can tarnish or degrade your tattoo.
You skin needs air to heal, too much use of petroleum jelly / or any aftercare product can suffocate skin and may lead to infection. Tattooed skin is like any open wound (like scratch wound), too much dust around, or too much water can let bacteria to enter the wound and multiply fast.
A tattoo will usually take 2–4 weeks to heal. During this time, it is important people closely follow aftercare guidance to ensure their tattoo heals and to avoid complications. If the tattoo develops an infection or excessive inflammation, it can slow the healing process.
Sun Protection for New Tattoos
New tattoos fade very quickly when exposed to sunlight. In addition, if your tattoo has not completely healed yet, exposing the area to sunlight could result in blistering. In general, you should keep a new tattoo completely protected from the sun for at least three to four weeks.
At the very least, make sure not to expose a new tattoo to direct sunlight for the first month of having it—especially the first two weeks. Not only will sun exposure cause the tattoo's colors to fade, as previously mentioned, but it may also burn your skin and scar it from sun damage.
Working Out After Getting a New Tattoo
As a general rule, it's recommended to wait 2-3 days before any high intensity training. Then, it's recommended to wait slowly with light exercise programs until the new tattoo is completely healed (2-3 weeks after getting the tattoo).
A person should avoid submerging the tattoo in water or getting the tattoo wet during the first 3–6 weeks, except for when washing it. A person can continue using the washing technique above throughout the first week when needed.
Weeks 5 and 6: completely healed
You'll know you're in this phase — and that your tattoo is fully healed — because all the dry skin and scabs have sloughed off to reveal new, smooth skin with a vibrant tattoo and you no longer feel the burning and itchiness because the body has repaired itself.
"After a tattoo heals, you want to always use a sunscreen that's SPF 30 or higher," says Kirk. "The sun makes tattoos fade much quicker over time."
It is advisable that you refrain from drinking for at least 48-72 hours after getting a tattoo. It is normal for plasma and blood to ooze 48 hours after getting a tattoo. However, alcohol consumption will increase the bleeding rate due to blood thinning.
You'll want to keep the tattoo wrapped for at least the first night because it will take a while for it to settle down and stop leaking. You don't want an open wound like that touching your bed sheets, getting blood everywhere, or dirt and dust getting into the wound itself.
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.
It's recommended that tattoos remain out of direct sunlight for at least the first month, but that doesn't mean you're in the clear once that time is up. Sun exposure can still cause colors to fade, which is why it's always best to protect your tattoo from sun exposure whenever possible.
You should keep a fresh tattoo out of the sun during the entirety of the healing process. If sun exposure is unavoidable, wearing pants and long sleeves will help prevent the sun from reaching your skin. If the sun can't reach your skin, your tattoo is protected.
These problems can have a negative impact on your tattoo and the healing process, so it's important you understand the importance of protecting your new tattoos from harmful sunlight. Too much sun exposure will result in sunburn, peeling, and ultimately increase the time it takes your new tattoo to heal.
Days 2 to 3
Over the next couple of days, you may notice that your tattoo looks dull and cloudy. No need to panic or start thinking about a touch-up. This happens as your skin heals and new skin starts to form. Excess ink and plasma may still ooze from your skin during this time.
Katz, like Valentine, recommends Aquaphor ($14; amazon.com) to his newly tattooed patients, “advising them to use the ointment twice daily as that can help the wound heal more quickly.” Because Aquaphor keeps the skin moist while still allowing oxygen flow to the freshly inked skin; a quality attributed to its active ...
During these first few days, it is normal for your tattoo to feel sore and tender. You may also see redness, swelling, and some mild bleeding. DAYS 3-14 (or until healed): After the first 2-3 days, your tattoo should begin to feel dry and tight.
Experts advise waiting 4 to 6 weeks before applying any sunscreen on your tattoo. This time is given for the tattoo to heal fully, so that the epidermis recovers to protect the much more sensitive dermis layer of the skin.
Around four days after getting your tattoo, the redness and drainage should subside. The tattoo often takes on a cloudy appearance as scabs start to form over the ink.