Tattoo healing from a client's point of view: Aftercare and healing methods
At A Glance
Author Pierre.
Contact [email protected]
IAM Valo
When N/A
Anyone who has ever gotten a tattoo has had to deal with tattoo aftercare and proper healing of the new addition to your body. I know I have. I've gotten over 150 hours of inkage done on my body from about 8 or 9 different people, ranging from some of the most incredible artists I've ever seen to some people who... well... calling them scratchers would be an insult to scratchers everywhere. It seems like with every artist and every shop comes a new "miracle aftercare method". As someone who has pretty much tried them all, I would like to talk about how good and/or bad every method I've tried was/is.

A word of warning, however. I am NOT a tattoo artist. I never was a tattoo artist, and chances are I never will be a tattoo artist. Make sure you listen to your tattoo artist as far as aftercare, and when in doubt as to the aftercare method he/she is suggesting, ask them about alternatives. If that doesn't work, then I recommend checking with other artists in the area. I would also recommend directing any questions to the QOD, who are a panel of professional people in the industry. What this editorial is is simply how my body has reacted to different aftercare methods and products.

Listed below are the what I used for aftercare, the pros and cons of the product/method in my personal experience, and my rating of the method.

First, I am going to go through a list of things I've used that can be bought at most pharmacies. Note that these products are NOT created specifically for tattoo aftercare, so make sure you read the ingredients to make sure you're not allergic to anything in the cream you use.

Now here is a list of products I've used that were made SPECIFICALLY for tattoo aftercare, and how much success I've had using them. Remember, there are lots of other aftercare solutions on the market... This is just reviewing what I've used in my experience

I would also like to point out that some people would recommend some other aftercare, from A&D ointment, J&B Tattoo aftercare, and other creams... I am not saying they're bad aftercare solutions. For all I know, they could be the best on the market. I just haven't seen any reason to switch from Baciguent to anything else.

Now, I would like to talk about different methods I've tried over the years as far as healing. Most methods were suggested by artists, and some were just tried by me when recommended methods were not working. Again, Please follow your artist's instructions for aftercare, and if in doubt, ask or get a second opinion from another artist you trust. This is merely what I've tried...

So there you have it. This is how I would rate the methods of aftercare I've used over the years... I hope you all learn from my mistakes, and heal all your ink to the best of your ability. Another last few things I would like to point out, which should come as logic:

1. DO NOT PICK YOUR SCABS. If you do, then it's your own fault if it looks like shit afterwards
2. Don't go swimming until the tattoo is fully healed. If you need to, contact your artist, he may be able to suggest waterproof bandages to cover your tattoo
3. when you shower or bathe, make sure to not get water directly on the fresh tattoo. Obviously you'll get water on it, but don't go soaking it, or put the shower spray directly on it.
4. Don't go in a tanning bed or suntanning. Tan=bad for ink, especially fresh ink
5. don't go doing weight training/athletic exercise. Sweat WILL irritate the tattoo. Trust me.
6. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. If the tattoo starts pussing, bleeding, or scabs VERY badly, chances are your body isn't liking the aftercare you're doing. In that case, I recommend you immediately contact your artist.

Bottom line: take good care of your ink.


Disclaimer: The experience above was submitted by a BME reader and has not
been edited. We can not guarantee that the experience is accurate, truthful,
or contains valid or even safe advice. We strongly urge you to use BME and
other resources to educate yourself so you can make safe informed decisions.


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