How to take care of a tattoo? We find out with the experts

How to properly care for a tattoo in the first days?

Immediately after the drawing, the master treats the affected area with an antiseptic and / or wound healing agent. A transparent film is put on top, which is fixed with a plaster. Often regular food film or an absorbent diaper from a drugstore are used. However, no less popular is a special film Suprasorb F made in Germany. It protects the skin from infection, but allows it to breathe, has a gas- and vapor-permeable structure. The film has a hypoallergenic adhesive, so additional fixation is not needed.

Care of the tattoo after Suprasorb F sticker:

• this film allows you to take a shower, but not for long, to avoid steaming of the skin;
• In the first 1-3 days liquid is formed under the film - the wound dries out later on its own;
• Suprasorb F is removed in 4 days (on the 5th) after the drawing;
• To remove the film, the tattoo is steamed or heated with a hair dryer;
• After Suprasorb F is removed, the tattoo is washed with soap and water;
• Until complete healing it is necessary to lubricate the skin with "Bepanten", "Panthenol" ointment or moisturizing cream.

Care for the tattoo in the first days after application, if the usual film was used:

• the film is removed in 6-12 hours (it is individual, it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations of the master);
• Tattoo is washed with water with a small amount of liquid soap;
• The skin is blotted with a cotton swab and let it dry completely;
• Apply the ointment "Bepanten", "Panthenol", etc., and again cover with film;
• The entire procedure is repeated 2-3 times a day for the first three days.

Advantages of tattoo healing under the film

• Effective protection against moisture and germs.
• The skin breathes, no irritations appear.
• The film is well fixed with hypoallergenic adhesive.
• Removal of the material is painless.
• The transparent surface allows you to monitor the processes.

Healing of the tattoo under the Suprasorb film is faster - in 4-5 days. The film can be worn without harm for about a week.

How to take care of a tattoo in the late healing period?

Proper tattoo care in the first days after application differs from the measures to be taken in the next 2-3 weeks.

Suprasorb F film is removed on the 5th day, the ordinary one - on the 4th day. From this moment the healing process is more active, itching begins. It is important not to scratch and keep it constantly moisturized. If the skin is covered with a film or crust, peeling has begun, do not interfere with this process. Any "excess" will come off on its own.

THE RIGHT TATTOO - A GUARANTEE OF FAST HEALING

The depth of the pigment injection determines how long the picture will retain its aesthetic appearance. In the first days after imposition intensively peels off the damaged top of the epidermis, withdrawing with a portion of the pigment. At the same time, collagen growth and connective tissue formation is stimulated in the dermis. After the wound has healed, the pigment must remain in the upper dermis, at the border with the epidermis. Only under these conditions will the tattoo live for decades.

Unfortunately, the wrong first care for a tattoo can disfigure even the highest quality work: the pattern will blur, or most of the pigment will be removed. The master in the salon should not only carry out a safe procedure, but also give a memo with recommendations for care.

PRECAUTIONS

Masters are advised to wear disposable polyethylene gloves, an apron and goggles to protect themselves and the client from deadly HIV and hepatitis C.

INSTRUMENT HANDLING

The tattoo machine should also be protected with polyethylene where it comes in contact with the skin. Needles are not reused and are disposed of as Group B waste. Before and after each procedure, all equipment must be sterilized in a medical autoclave. With this approach, you will not risk any contamination.

BLOODS

To take care of a tattoo it's necessary to use high quality pigment with hypoallergenic properties. Individual reactions are possible but the percentage is very low. Most often it is caused by the content of nickel in some paints and allergies to metals.

Healing is also affected by the color of the paint. Red, purple and orange are more likely to lead to unpleasant situations - itching, swelling, inflammation and festering. If these symptoms appear, you should immediately see your tattoo artist.

If the salon does not skimp on the quality of paint, you can safely go to do a tattoo. The risk of "side effects" is negligible.

Recommendations:

• Sports can not be engaged usually only in the first day, but sometimes longer - if the tattoo is located so that constantly rubs on clothes and / or will be filled with sweat.
• At least for the first two weeks the tattoo should be washed twice a day with liquid soap. After washing and a few more times a day, apply a non-greasy moisturizer or alcohol-free lotion.
• Make sure that the clothes do not traumatize or rub the skin, and it should cover the drawing from the sun and dust. It is also important that the tight clothing worn in the first 2-3 weeks may make your tattoo paler.
• Do not take long baths or showers. Under the influence of moisture, the skin wrinkles, which can spoil the picture. Maximum time in water is 10 minutes.
• Chlorinated pool water and salt water in the sea can damage the tattoo.
• The tattoo can become encrusted or covered by a thin film.
• The condition of the skin improves if the body has the right water balance. Therefore, drink at least 2 liters of water per day. This useful recommendation should always be followed, not only in connection with a recent tattoo.
• If there is an unpleasant smell from the tattoo, purulent discharge, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor.

Peculiarities of gluing

The film material is glued by the master immediately after the tattooing session.

There are rules on how to properly glue the film for tattoo healing:

• The film can be applied in 10-15 minutes after the end of the process of tattooing;
• Wipe the skin, glue the film;
• The next day the tattoo should be wiped dry so that the film can be fixed;
• The film can be worn without taking off, 4-6 days.

The film fits tightly, while not restricting movement, allowing the skin to breathe. Many people wonder how long to wear the film? The answer is unambiguous - at least 3-4 days, it is usually removed on the fourth or fifth day. If you keep the time, the processes will pass easily and unnoticeably. At the same time you can go about your normal activities without fear of getting your clothes dirty or damaging the tattoo.

Top seller - Suprasorb

Suprasorb
The most popular brand of healing film is Suprasorb. Thanks to it, the tattoo heals in 5 days instead of the usual two weeks.

Its action is based on wet healing. During the healing of the tattoo, the skin is excreted, which does not disappear, but remains under the film. After studies have been conducted, it has been found that the suppuration promotes faster healing.

The benefit of using Suprasorb, is that the resulting crust is fixed in place, which helps accelerate the formation of new skin tissue. After all, if the crust is snagged by clothing, it will be traumatized and damage the tattoo every time.

Suprasorb only needs to be applied once, which is enough for 5 days. There is no need for constant rinsing and bandaging. This method is attractive because it requires no extra effort and everything happens by itself. Once the tattoo is completed, the master treats the design and then tapes it. However, it is possible to do this procedure yourself.

Stages of healing

• During the first day, the appearance of the image does not change.
• The next day, the tattoo under the film sweats slightly. During this period, it begins to allocate sundew - a natural process in the healing of the wound.
• On the third or fourth day, the material pulls down the surface and it may seem that the film cracks. This is normal.
• On the fifth day the healing process of the tattoo with the film is finished, it can be removed.

It is necessary to adhere to simple rules:

• do not visit bathhouses and saunas, do not exercise, so as not to provoke increased sweating;
• do not drink alcohol-containing beverages, which increase the secretion of sukrasnitsa (rapid release of pigment);
• Do not break the integrity of the coating, do not wrap the tattoo site to let the skin breathe.

How to remove the foil for tattoo healing is specified in detail in the instruction. It is necessary to steam it under a shower or in a bathtub (20 minutes), so that the procedure goes quickly and painlessly. Next, pick up the edge and strongly pull the film to the opposite side from the tattoo. In the stretched position, continue peeling it off.

After the removal of the film for the healing of the tattoo the traumatized place should be washed with running water and soap, to remove the remains of the glue and blood suds. Rubbing is not allowed, some parts of the glue may remain. Next, you need to treat the place with chlorgesidine and apply a thin layer of Bepanten ointment.

Variety .

Today, tattoo salons use 2 types of film:

• Food film;
• membrane;
• disposable.

The first option has long been considered outdated. Normal food film creates a greenhouse effect, often moves out, tears easily, does not allow the skin to breathe, and requires regular replacement. Therefore, it is used only for economy purposes. Such film on a fresh tattoo can significantly prolong its healing period and worsen the skin condition.

A few years ago, manufacturers began to produce a special membrane coating. This is a film that is specifically designed to heal tattoos. It does not let the wound get wet, but it "breathes", is tightly fixed and does not slip thanks to a special glue, does not let the sweat flow out, does not tear, suitable for use even on the "complicated" zones. For example, on the bend of the knee or elbow.

Healing tape for tattoos is sold in specialized stores. The most common coating in Russia is Suprasorb. This is a universal film that is not recommended for use only on deep wounds with a lot of liquid secretions. They are also called membrane dressings.

As for the disposable absorbent film, it can be recommended by the master for the first 24 hours to give time for the release of large amounts of suds. After 15-20 hours, the covering is removed and a membrane dressing is applied.

Signs of complications and treatment options

There are cases when the healing of the tattoo provokes other diseases. An open wound, is a gateway for germs, which is why it is so important to treat and disinfect the new tattoo.

It is worth worrying if the following symptoms are absent:

• Bleeding (meaning blood, not the discharge of suds);
• increase in the volume of the area of inflammation;
• The appearance of an allergic reaction;
• formation of festering.

In all of the above cases, you should consult a dermatologist and be sure to inform the master in the tattoo parlor.

Prevention

To avoid severe skin inflammation after tattooing, you need to remember the rules:

• Compliance with the recommendations given by the master of the salon.
• The daily treatment of damaged skin wound healing cream.
• Careful attitude to the tattooed area. Inflamed skin is not allowed to scratch or rub.
• Keeping unhealed tattoos clean and protected from the sun.

It is also important to eat right, so that the body gets all the vitamins and minerals it needs. This will have a positive effect on the regeneration process

Pros of the healing film

The pluses of use include quick healing: instead of two weeks - 5 days. Thanks to the excreted sundew, the wound heals faster. When tattooing, the trauma is minimal, so with the release of blood into the wound, the blood suction begins to form. It is secreted from the small pores of the blood vessels when the needle of the tattoo artist's machine damages the skin.

Sucrose contains fewer elements than normal blood and has a yellowish tint. It performs the same function as blood, namely it heals the wound thanks to the immune system cells contained in it.

In addition, under the film, the tattoo breathes, so steam and air pass quietly through it, providing a sense of comfort.

Water protection is also a plus, because thanks to the repelling function it is possible to take a bath and bathe in different bodies of water. Thanks to the transparency of the film, you can see how the tattoo heals.

Not all areas of the body can be conveniently fixed bandages to protect the tattoo, and the film is easy to apply to any surface of the skin. When using it, the tattoo retains a bright color as after application.

Advantages and disadvantages

Special healing film for the skin is a real discovery in the field of cosmetology. After all, after its emergence, it became much easier to organize the proper care of a freshly made tattoo. But at the same time such a coating has not only its advantages, but also disadvantages.

Pros of the healing film:

• the material is completely transparent, so under it you can clearly see how the tattoo heals and you can react in time to unwanted changes;
• for fixation of the film is used glue with a very soft, safe and hypoallergenic composition, which does not cause irritation - to glue the covering is easy and it is quite possible to do it yourself without the help of the master (of course, except for hard-to-reach places);
• when showering, the overlay perfectly protects the damaged skin from water, you can not deny yourself regular hygienic procedures;
• the covering is able to hold healing, anti-inflammatory ointment or other means for the care of a fresh tattoo, if they have been appointed by the master;
• The film prevents moisture or germs from entering the wound, but still allows the skin to fully breathe;
• The coating is firmly fixed, but can be painlessly removed if necessary;
• The film does not move or shift and is extremely difficult to tear;
• stick such a pad can be glued to any area of the face, body, limbs.

Advantages of the healing film for tattoos
Often the list of pluses also includes the versatility of healing films. In fact, they are not allowed to be used at all for all tattoo options. So, if the drawing is done with a strong anesthetic or with a dense "paint", then a large amount of liquid secretions will accumulate under the coating. This can eventually lead to inflammation or compromise the tightness of the lining.

The film used to heal a tattoo also has its disadvantages:

• the coating can easily come off under certain conditions (for example, if it was not glued correctly, if the person actively twists while sleeping, on the first day too much fluid was released from the wound);
• under the transparent film is well visible wound and accumulated around the bursa, and this is not the most pleasant picture for those around you and the owner of the tattoo;
• If the coating comes off even a couple of millimeters, you will have to urgently remove it, rinse the wound thoroughly and change the overlay, otherwise the risk of getting into the damaged area of infection is not excluded;
• The cost of the film is much higher than conventional bandages.

Despite the impressive list of disadvantages, no worthy alternative to the discussed coating has yet been created. To date, the healing film is the most convenient option for the protection and care of a freshly made tattoo.

What you can't do after you got a tattoo

In addition to wearing a bandage and treating the tattoo with a special cream, at first you will have to make adjustments to your lifestyle. For how long, your tattoo artist will tell you. Here are four basic rules about what not to do if you have a fresh tattoo.

1. Don't apply sunscreen to an unhealed area of skin.
2. Avoid scratching the tattoo.
3. Do not wear tight clothing over the tattoo.
4. Do not go to the swimming pool, sauna and baths, do not swim in the river, sea and pond, and refrain from bathing for a while.