Tattoos used to be looked down upon as a symbol of rebellion reserved for sailors and motorcycle gangs. Times have changed and tattoos are now not only accepted, but exceedingly common. Reports show that one in four adults in the US has at least one tattoo and that number is steadily rising year over year.
Tattoos at their core are wearable art. They’re also personal. A lot of thought is put into getting a tattoo, especially your first, and while the process of getting a tattoo can be painful, getting a tattoo falls into the category of self-care. After all, how often do you put so much thought into altering the appearance of your body? Giving yourself the permission to get a tattoo and actually following through with it takes an amount of care and reflection that stems from self-care motivation. They also require both short- and long-term care in order to keep them looking their best.
Getting your first tattoo is always a daunting experience, but whether you’ve been thinking about it for years or woke up with a sudden urge to get inked, you should never go into it blind. Follow these steps before going under the needle.
These days, Instagram is the most powerful tool for research when it comes to tattoos. Use it to find styles and artists you like. Most people want their tattoos to have significance, so think about what you want it to look like and find images of similar tattoos to show your artist. Be prepared to articulate to the artist why you want a certain piece and what it means to you.
Use social media as a tool to find an artist whose work you especially love. Start with hashtags of styles and then go deep in the artist’s personal feeds until you get a feel for their style. If social media isn’t your thing, ask friends who have tattoos you like for recommendations. Finding the right artist can make all the difference in how happy you are with the results.
The placement of your tattoo is important, second only to the actual design. If you want to be able to cover it up, think about places on your body you rarely show off. If pain isn’t your thing, consider places that are fleshier (since bony areas are more painful to tattoo).
Most artists will ask for a consultation before tattooing you, especially if you want a custom design. Take this opportunity to ask any questions you have about the process. Come prepared with a deposit (the artist will tell you how much beforehand), and always ask about the final cost.
Remember that people who tattoo are artists and think of your tattoo as a collaboration. The tattoo artist will always want you to be happy with the result, but they can give you advice on what will look best. They may even have ideas on the design that you haven’t even considered. Never try to strong-arm them into doing something they don’t want to do; let them be creative, and you’ll get a better result.
Ask about aftercare before you get tattooed. Most reputable tattoo shops will provide you with product samples for aftercare, but it helps to go shopping for ointments and creams beforehand so you’re not scrambling after the fact.
Immediate aftercare is a critical time for every tattoo. It can aid the healing process and prevent infection, which can have long-term effects on your health. The first two weeks after getting a tattoo are most critical, but it takes around a month for it to completely heal.
Wash the tattoo with a gentle, fragrance-free soap to keep the area clean. This should be done a few hours after getting the tattoo and twice a day for about two weeks.
Apply a thin layer of healing balm to the tattoo several times a day for the first few days. This will help protect the wounds and facilitate the healing process. The tattooed area will scab over, and once the scabs have completely fallen off, you can switch to lotion.
Apply a rich, fragrance-free lotion to the tattoo after the scabs fall off to keep it moisturized and healthy. Hydrated skin is healthy skin and can promote optimal healing as well.
No one wants to be that old dude with the saggy tattoo. If you want to keep your tattoo looking fresh for years to come, you have to take special care of it.
Tattoo ink lives underneath the surface of your skin, which means dead skin buildup can make it look dull. It’s especially apparent in tattoos with color, which can fade naturally over time. Removing dead skin cells with exfoliation can help minimize fading. Use a body scrub or chemical exfoliator regularly to keep your skin and tattoos fresh.
Moisturized skin looks healthier and stays tighter, which can help tattoo ink stay vibrant and prevent sagging. Use a daily moisturizer like a body lotion to help keep ink (and skin) looking young. Some people prefer body oils, which they say helps keep the colors in tattoos more vibrant.
The biggest culprit behind fading tattoos is the sun. It’s the same reason the paint on the outside of your house fades over time. The best defense is a good offense by way of wearing daily sunscreen (all over your body is best, but at the very least on your tattoos). It won’t entirely prevent fading, but it will slow it down and help guard you against skin cancer at the same time.
As you age, your skin naturally loses collagen, which is responsible for keeping it tight and youthful looking. This is why tattoos can warp and change shape over time. It’s hard to control this on your body, but one good way to do this is to take ingestible collagen supplements, which, unlike topical applications, distribute the material all over your body.