Taking care of your tattoo

May 18, 2017, 12:00 AM

When I got my first tattoo, it was the springtime, and it was already rather sunny and warm out. In my mind, I’d get the tattoo and immediately be able to show it off to everyone as Seattle shifted from sweater to dress weather. But I was strictly advised not to let the tattoo absorb direct sunlight to avoid fading. Then I realized there is a whole slew of tattoo do’s and don’ts to follow for any tattoo to heal properly and remain as dark and crisp as it was the day it was drawn. Some of these do’s and don’ts are intuitive –– it would make sense not to pick the scab off your tattoo right after you get it –– but others are a little more nuanced and require more knowledge about tattoos. In case you’re anything like me, and you know very little about ink other than you like it in pretty designs under your skin, then hopefully this list will be helpful for the care of your already or future existing tattoos: Right after you get a tattoo, it will be wrapped up. Make sure to keep it this way for at least two to six hours to avoid any bacteria touching the tattooed skin. When the bandage is off, gently wash the tattoo with antibacterial soap to get rid of any germs that may have made it through the bandage. This is important to keep infection away. Gently pat dry, and get ready for moisture. Different tattoo artists will recommend different moisturizers for tattoos. While some might tell you to go straight to using unscented lotion two to three times a day, others will tell you to start with a water-based ointment, and some might even advise the usage of some kind of petroleum jelly. My first tattoo, I was advised to use an unscented moisturizer right away, whereas for my last two tattoos, my artist recommended Aquaphor. There are pros and cons to the usage of Aquaphor: While it’s a really cheap way to moisturize thoroughly, it also has the potential to clog pores, and some even say petroleum-based jellies bring the tattoo ink closer to the skin, causing the tattoo to fade faster. However, I will say, all of my tattoos still look fresh and have held their color regardless of the type of moisturizer I used. If you do use Aquaphor, though, make sure it’s thoroughly rubbed in to allow the tattoo to breathe. Whichever moisturizer you’re recommended, make sure to continue moisturizing a couple times a day, at least until it is healed. And then you’re ready to jump in a swimming pool and sunbathe all day, right? Well, not quite. You should wait at least two weeks after you get a tattoo to submerge it in any water, and you should be keeping it out of the sun to preserve the ink’s color. If you’re going to be exposing your tattoos to the sun, make sure to wear a thick layer of sunscreen cream with at least SPF 30 or SPF 50. All this might sound like a lot of work, and if you have gotten a tattoo recently, this might seem daunting as summer rolls in. But really, these measures should be taken for anyone who is trying to take care of their skin. It’s important to always wear sunscreen to avoid skin cancer, and moisturizing is a known wrinkle-reducer later in life. If you follow these do’s and don’ts, you’ll be preserving more than just your tattoo. Reach Opinion Editor Rebecca Gross at opinion@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @becsgross

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Taking care of your tattoo

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