Tattoos can be a great way to express yourself and create permanent art on your body. But with any artwork comes the need for preventive maintenance so that it continues to look beautiful.
You might be wondering if my tattoo is peeling should I put lotion on it? I’ll answer that question for you, and explain how best to moisturize your new tattoo.
What Is The Tattoo Healing Process For New Tattoos?
The tattoo healing process for a new tattoo is something that should be taken seriously to ensure the longevity of the design. Generally, it will take about 2 weeks for your new tattoo to heal.
After receiving your new ink, it is important to keep the area covered with a clean bandage or gauze for at least two hours or until you arrive home.
Once home, immediately wash the area with a mild soap and warm water, and then apply an antibiotic ointment or tattoo lotion to your dry skin, as directed by your artist or shop, to your healing skin. But don’t submerge your tattoo in water.
During this time, it is important not to soak in any tubs, swim in chlorinated water, expose the healing tattoo to sunlight, and make sure not pick at any scabs that may form over the first week or so of healing.
Drinking alcohol should also be avoided during this time, as it can lengthen the healing process and prevent proper scabbing over of your tattooed skin.
It’s also recommended that you wear loose clothing while giving way for adequate air circulation during this time period; ideally, natural fibers like cotton are best suited for this purpose.
Finally, stay away from rough fabrics such as wool, which could cause harm to already tender skin.
Most importantly, listen closely to all aftercare instructions provided by your artist or shop staff, as they will vary depending on individual needs.
What Are The Best Tattoo Aftercare Tips For Fresh Tattoos?
When it comes to tattoo aftercare, there are a few tried-and-true tips that you should always follow. First, be sure to keep your new tattoo clean! Use lukewarm water and mild soap, and gently wash the area daily for at least three weeks.
After you’ve washed the area, make sure to pat dry with a soft towel; don’t rub or scrub, as that could irritate your skin cells.
Keep your tattoo moisturized with a very light amount of unscented lotion; this will help alleviate any scabbing if present due to the healing process.
Be wary of any products containing fragrances or dyes, as these can further irritate your skin. It is also important to avoid exposing your new tattoo to excessive direct sunlight and swimming in public pools, as bacteria found in these environments can lead to infection.
Avoid picking or scratching at the newly healed skin cells, as that could damage your artwork and negatively affect its appearance over time.
Lastly, always consult a professional tattoo artist before using any topical antibiotics on healing tattoos since some medications may cause discoloration of the ink or skin reactions depending on individual body chemistry.
How Often Should You Moisturize Your Tattoo?
Moisturizing your tattoo is an important part of taking care of it and should be done regularly. Immediately after you get a tattoo, it is best to clean your tattoo with a gentle antibacterial soap, rinse, and then pat the tattoo dry with a paper towel or clean towel.
After that, you should moisturize my tattoo using lotion specially made for tattoos after every shower or bath. This will help keep the skin from drying out and flaking as part of the healing process.
If your skin starts to become too dry and itchy, try applying lotion more frequently throughout the day for a few days until the area feels better.
You can use unscented oils like coconut oil in addition to lotion, but do not use petroleum-based products on your new tattoo, as this can cause infection and slow down healing time. Aim for twice a day, to replace lost moisture.
After the initial healing stage (around two weeks) you should continue to apply lotion at least every other day to keep your skin hydrated and healthy looking with minimal fading of colors in your tattoo over time.
What Is The Reason For A Peeling Tattoo?
Getting a new tattoo is always exciting, but it can be worrying to see peeling skin around your new tattoo ink piece, but there are some things you can do to care for your new tattoo.
Peeling skin around a newly inked tattoo can happen for several reasons, but there are also steps you can take to both care for your new artwork and prevent peeling in the first place.
Follow the aftercare instructions provided by your tattoo artist. Wash your tattoo twice daily with lukewarm water and mild soap and making sure it’s always clean before moisturizing it with an unscented lotion or oil designed specifically for tattoos.
This helps ensure that the ink stays put in your skin and keeps any bacteria from getting into the wound site.
If you don’t properly care for your new work of art, you may find yourself dealing with intense itching as damaged layers of skin flake off, along with potentially irritating substances like sweat or topical products which haven’t been approved for use near tattoos.
If not taken care of correctly, excess dirt or dead skin cells on a fresh tattoo could cause it to become inflamed or infected, as well as promote faster peeling away of the top layers of skin where the ink has been embedded.
If you’ve recently gotten laser treatments done on your body before receiving the tattoo, this could also contribute to excessive peeling and tattoo scabbing, since laser treatments irritate healthy tissue while removing unwanted pigment from areas like scars or age spots beneath the surface layer of epidermis.
When Do New Tattoos Start Peeling?
The amount of time it takes for a new tattoo to start peeling is highly variable, and will depend on many factors. Generally, the process of shedding old skin starts 1–3 weeks after getting inked.
It can begin with some light itching and flaking; however, some people may not experience this symptom at all.
In any event, it is important to keep the newly tattooed area clean and moisturized during the peeling phase so that you do not introduce dirt or bacteria into your wound.
The first signs that a tattoo is peeling usually include an increased itchiness around the site of the artwork, followed by a noticeable flaking from dead skin cells from within the colored area’s borders.
During this process, you may also notice elevated ‘crustiness’ surrounding these areas along with small fragments of ink appearing in places where there was previously none.
As pigment particles are pushed up through layers of skin by an influx of moisture designed to further expedite healing.
It is important to adhere to your artist’s aftercare instructions throughout this entire process, as improper hygiene could lead to an increase in healing time or even infection if left unchecked.
They should provide specific guidelines on how best to care for your new artwork through its various stages during recovery; such as avoiding exposing it too much sun right away or soaking if excessively wet before completely healed over.
How Long Is The Peeling Stage Of New Ink?
When you get a new tattoo, the first stage of healing is known as the peeling stage. This can take anywhere from days to weeks, depending on many factors, including the size and location of the tattoo.
During this time, it is important to keep your newly inked skin clean and dry to facilitate faster healing. The peeling process itself generally begins several days after getting your tattoo, as excess ink and other cellular material start shedding off your skin.
Your tattoo may look splotchy or patchy while it peels because some parts of it will peel quicker than others. Continue to use fragrance-free soap with lukewarm water while washing your hands, and avoid excessively scrubbing or scratching the area where you have new ink.
If anything seems too uncomfortable, speak to your artist right away for advice on how best to care for your fresh tattoo. Peeling typically lasts between 5–7 days, but this does depend on a variety of factors such as age and health condition.
If My Tattoo Is Peeling Should I Put Lotion On It?
If your tattoo is peeling, don’t worry, it’s normal for a tattoo to peel as the skin heals. While, it’s important to keep your new tattoo moisturized while it’s still healing.
When your tattoo is peeling, applying lotion should be done with caution. Applying too much can actually interfere with the skin healing process and cause more harm than good.
When moisturizing a peeling tattoo, use only very thin layers of lotion – never thick coats of cream or ointment – and gently apply it to the area without rubbing in excess.
There are some specific products designed specifically for tattoos that can reduce irritation while keeping them looking vibrant; check with your artist to see if they recommend any special brands or products for aftercare. Be sure you carefully clean away all debris from the area before adding any product onto the ink as well.
The amount of time it takes for a tattoo to stop peeling depends on how quickly the skin heals and how large the design is – getting multiple colors or larger designs will take longer to heal completely compared to smaller pieces in just one shade.
However, no matter what kind of design you have, avoiding heavy amounts of lotion during times when your tattoo is peeling can help ensure it stays looking great long term.
How To Prevent Your Tattoo Peeling?
Preventing your tattoo from peeling is an important part of getting and maintaining a beautiful tattoo that you are proud to show off.
The best way to prevent your new tattoo from peeling is to take measures during the healing process that will ensure it stays healthy and intact.
Remember to keep your newly inked skin clean and moisturized while it heals. You should be washing your new tattoo with a mild soap or anti-bacterial wash twice daily, then patting it dry gently with a soft cloth.
After you’ve dried off, apply light lotion or ointment until the area is healed completely. Next, avoid exposing your still-healing tattoo to sunlight as much as possible.
Sun exposure can cause fading and discoloration of tattoos over time due to UV radiation damage. Wearing loose clothing over the area when outside will help shield the design from harmful rays.
Keep in mind that some activities such as swimming pools or spas can contain harsh chemicals, which may cause premature fading or peeling of tattoos if exposed too soon after being applied.
Will My Tattooed Skin Fade After Peeling?
Once your tattoo is healing, there are some steps you can take to ensure its clarity and longevity. One way is to keep your new tattoo clean – this means cleaning it gently with a mild soap and warm water every one-to-two days after you get the tattoo done.
Make sure that you also use a moisturizer such as petroleum jelly or coconut oil for extra moisture and protection against external elements such as sun exposure and dirt.
It’s also important that you rub your tattoo gently as it heals, which helps bring blood flow to the area so it can heal quicker and more effectively.
When peeling starts in your freshly healed tattoo (typically within two weeks), resist the urge to peel off any layers of skin immediately.
Exfoliating too soon can damage the healing process and leave behind marks of pigmentation in areas where it shouldn’t be permanently visible.
Instead, simply let whatever scab comes off naturally; however, if some parts stick around longer than others – don’t pick them.
Allowing the scab(s)to fall off in their own time promotes maximum healing potential while delivering great results on overall finish quality, saving you from any possible later touch ups needed.
Summary
Tattoos are an excellent way to express yourself, but they require a certain amount of maintenance to ensure that they remain beautiful and vibrant.
When it comes to caring for a new tattoo, it is important to clean, moisturize and protect the area while still healing. If your tattoo is peeling, you should be cautious when applying lotion.
Use only thin layers of unscented products specifically designed for tattoos, and avoid heavy applications or rubbing in excess product. Taking time to properly care for your newly inked skin can help prevent any unnecessary fading or discoloration over time.
Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.
As well as owning Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!