Tattoo Aftercare lincoln: how to care for your new tattoo

Your new tattoo is an investment in both artwork and your skin, and looking after it properly during the healing process is essential. Good tattoo aftercare helps your tattoo heal cleanly, protects the quality of the finished work and reduces the risk of unnecessary irritation or complications.

At Voodoo Ink in Lincoln, we always explain aftercare before you leave the studio, but it can be easy to forget some of the advice once you get home. This guide gives you something to refer back to while your new tattoo heals.

The First Few Hours After Your Tattoo

Your tattoo artist will cover your new tattoo before you leave the studio. Depending on the tattoo and the type of dressing used, you will be advised how long it should remain covered.

Always follow the specific instructions your artist gives you, as different dressings require different removal times.

Once it is time to remove the covering, make sure your hands are thoroughly clean before touching your tattoo.

Washing Your New Tattoo

Gently wash the tattoo using lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap.

Use your clean hands rather than a flannel, sponge or anything abrasive. Gently remove any excess ink, plasma or residue from the surface of the skin.

Do not scrub the tattoo.

Once clean, gently pat the area dry with clean disposable paper towel or allow it to air dry. Avoid rubbing it with a bath towel, particularly during the early stages of healing.

Moisturising Your Tattoo

Once the tattoo is clean and dry, apply a very thin layer of suitable tattoo aftercare product.

More is not better. Applying a heavy layer can prevent the skin from breathing properly and leave the tattoo excessively moist.

At Voodoo Ink we can advise you on suitable tattoo aftercare products, and aftercare products are also available from the studio.

The aim is simply to prevent the tattoo becoming excessively dry while allowing your skin to heal naturally.

What to Expect While Your Tattoo Heals

A fresh tattoo is essentially an area of damaged skin, so some redness, tenderness and mild swelling immediately after tattooing can be normal.

As healing progresses, the tattoo may begin to feel dry and itchy and you may notice light flaking or peeling.

Do not pick, scratch or pull at peeling skin or scabs.

Allow them to come away naturally. Picking at a healing tattoo can damage the skin and potentially remove pigment, affecting the finished result.

Showering With a New Tattoo

You can shower while your tattoo is healing, but avoid soaking it for prolonged periods.

Keep showers sensible and gently wash the tattoo as described above.

Until the tattoo has healed, avoid:

• Baths and hot tubs

• Swimming pools

• Saunas and steam rooms

• Swimming in the sea, lakes or rivers

Submerging a fresh tattoo unnecessarily exposes healing skin to moisture and potential contaminants.

Exercise and Your New Tattoo

Consider the location and size of your tattoo before returning to strenuous exercise.

Heavy sweating, friction from clothing and repeated stretching of freshly tattooed skin can cause irritation. Gym equipment and shared surfaces can also harbour bacteria.

Giving the tattoo a little time to settle before returning to demanding exercise is often worthwhile, particularly with larger pieces or tattoos positioned around joints and high-movement areas.

Keep Your Tattoo Out of the Sun

Fresh tattoos should be kept away from direct sunlight while healing.

Do not apply sunscreen to an unhealed tattoo unless specifically advised that the product is appropriate for healing skin. Instead, keep the area protected from direct sun until it has healed.

Once completely healed, using a high-SPF sunscreen whenever the tattoo is exposed to strong sunlight can help protect the tattoo from UV-related fading over the years.

Clothing and Your New Tattoo

Where possible, wear clean, loose-fitting clothing over or around your tattoo.

Tight clothing can rub against the area and irritate healing skin. Depending on the tattoo's location, pay particular attention to waistbands, bra straps, socks and footwear.

Clean bedding is also a good idea, especially during the first few nights after getting tattooed.

What Not to Do With a Healing Tattoo

The most important rules are straightforward:

• Don't scratch or pick it.

• Don't soak it.

• Don't expose it to unnecessary dirt or contamination.

• Don't apply excessive amounts of aftercare product.

• Don't expose it to strong sunlight.

• Don't let other people touch your fresh tattoo.

• Don't ignore your artist's aftercare instructions.

Your body is doing most of the work. Good aftercare is largely about providing the right conditions for it to heal.

How Long Does a Tattoo Take to Heal?

There isn't one exact healing time for every tattoo.

The surface of the skin may appear considerably better within a couple of weeks, but deeper layers of skin continue healing after the tattoo looks healed externally.

Healing time can vary depending on the size and location of the tattoo, the style of work, your skin and how well the tattoo is cared for.

Don't judge healing purely by appearance.

When Should You Ask for Advice?

If you're unsure whether something you're experiencing is part of normal healing, contact your tattoo artist rather than guessing or relying on advice from social media.

If you develop symptoms that concern you or suggest a possible infection or significant reaction, seek appropriate medical advice.

We would always rather a client contact us with a question than spend several days worrying about their tattoo.

Tattoo Aftercare Advice From Voodoo Ink Lincoln

Proper aftercare is part of getting a great tattoo. The quality of the tattooing matters, but how the tattoo is treated during healing also plays an important part in the finished result.

With more than 18 years of tattooing experience, Voodoo Ink provides professional tattooing and tattoo aftercare advice in Lincoln, from small first tattoos through to large-scale custom work, cover-ups and reworks.

If you've been tattooed at Voodoo Ink and have any questions about your aftercare, please get in touch with the studio. We're happy to help.