Photo of Bongiwe Mati

How to care for a new tattoo

Body art lovers will tell you that once you get the ink on your skin, chances of going back for more are extremely high.

Tattoos may sometimes be associated with the rockstar kind of life while some may go as far as linking them to living life on the edge.

Body art has proven to not be that, as people with different personalities and do them for different reasons. Some do tattoo’s to honour their late loved ones, while others use them as symbol of love by tattooing their kids names, parents, birthdates or their hero’s faces.

Regardless of who or what you decide to tattoo on your body, proper care for your body art is essential, as neglecting your tattoo can be septic, causing it to turn into an ugly wound that may take a while to heal.

If you are ready to have your first tattoo, you might want to look at the following advice first:

  • Moisturise – Prior to going to the tattoo palour, make sure that your body is moisturised. Leading petroleum jelly brand Vaseline adds, “Since skin will be damaged and extremely sensitive, extra hydration and care are necessary for maintaining the healthy appearance of skin and ensuring a beautiful final tattoo.
  • Clean it with soap free water – Using just your hands and stand free water clean your tattoo. Health hub Healthline advises to use warm soap free water to gently cleaning the tattoo before sleep and wait for it to dry before applying the ointment either given by the tattoo artist or bought from the shops.
  • Do not re-bandage – Tattoo centre Kingsavetatto cautions against covering the tattoo as the air helps it heal quicker. The information hub does however caution,”Your tattoo is a wound and when unwrapped, it is prone to dirt and bacteria which may cause infection. Avoid direct contact with any surface.”

Also see: All you need to know about tattoo removals

 

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