What To Expect When Getting Your First Tattoo. Tattoos are a great way to express yourself and they are quickly becoming one of the most popular trends among almost everyone. If you are considering getting your first tattoo, here is everything that you should know going into this experience.
A tattoo is a big decision. You will want to make sure you check out your artist’s work, as well as the cleanliness of their shop. It is recommended that you check out as many artists as you can before committing to one. When any professional, regardless of the field, gives you advice, you tend to listen to them. You should do the same thing with your tattoo artist. Most tattoo artists are very proud people, so if you go in thinking that you know best, chances are they won’t do the tattoo or they won’t want to see you for a second tattoo. If the artist recommends a different placement or larger design, there is a reason that they are doing so and you should listen to them. While tattoo artists will give their recommendations, you should know what you want when you go to get the tattoo. If you know what you want, as well as where you want it, you will be much happier with the results that you get. To prepare yourself for the pain, you will want to make sure you are well hydrated and have had a meal beforehand. They will put a bandage on your tattoo before you leave their shop. If you are going to be around dust and germs, then you should leave your bandage on. However, if you are going straight home, then you should take it off when you get there. If you leave the bandage on for too long, bacteria can begin to grow which leads to infection.
You will want to wash your tattoo twice a day with unscented, antimicrobial soap and it will start to scab after a couple of days. You need to make sure you don’t pick at these scabs because it could cause your tattoo to heal unevenly. It is important that you avoid the sun and tight clothing while it is healing. You should also avoid immersing your body in water, like a swimming pool or a bath. After it is healed completely, make sure you are using sunscreen on it to prevent fading. If you notice any streaky, redness or it starts to ooze puss, you should consult with your doctor immediately. The quicker you get an infection taken care of, the less likely it will create scaring or other long term effects.
Even if you have taken all the precautions in sourcing the best and most clean shop, perfected your design and sat through the pain, all your progress can be worthless if you don’t exercise the proper aftercare. You can be open to scarring, cracking, bubbling and fading to name a few side effects if you ignore the care of your tattoo once you have left the shop. Since a tattoo is an open wound, it should be treated and cared for as such. Washing with a mild soap and keeping your tattoo moisturized is the key to being able to maintain the integrity of the tattoo and ensure its vibrancy for a longer time.
The best way to care for your new tattoo is by using specialized products designed for the tattoo aftercare process. H2Ocean’s Ultimate Tattoo Care kit encourages fast healing by using all natural and water based ingredients. The cleanser nourishes and gently cleans the skin while the foam and moisturizer keep the skin from drying out or cracking.