Earlier this week, Cap1 Tattoos talked about short-term tattoo aftercare. Today, we’re going to share some tips for long-term tattoo care because we want to make sure your tattoo stays looking fresh and beautiful. Here are the important things you should know for long-term tattoo aftercare.
Moisturize
Keeping your tattoo and the skin around it moisturized is important because you don’t want the skin to become dry and crack or flake. This is especially important in the fall and winter because the cold wind can easily dry out your skin. However, you should avoid using petroleum-based products because petroleum jelly can cause the ink to fade.
Apply Sun Block
One of the biggest enemies to tattoos, no matter how long you’ve had them, is the sun. While it’s obvious that you should apply sun block in the summer, it’s beneficial to apply a small amount whenever you’re going to be spending the day outside – regardless of the season.
Avoid Tanning Beds
While the sun is bad, tanning beds and sunlamps are even worse because they use harmful ultraviolet light to tan the skin! The high-intensity of light can affect the ink and cause a painful reaction. If you want to tan, do it naturally and make sure to apply sun block to your tattoo.
Watch Out for Rashes
Rashes will most commonly appear after prolonged, unprotected exposure to the sun. However, they can also appear if you start using a new skin care product or even laundry detergent. If you start to notice a rash or mild skin irritation, change what you expect may be the cause. If the rash doesn’t go away, you should contact your doctor.
It’s completely normal for the tattoo to lighten up once it’s done healing and as your body fully accepts the ink. Your tattoo is a piece of artwork, and should be treated like one. If you’re not willing to take the time and effort to keep your tattoo healthy and beautiful, then you need to think about whether you really want one or not.
Tattoos may be a responsibility, but they are completely worth it. For beautiful body art in North Texas, contact Cap1 Tattoos in Denton, Texas today. You can also view some of the previous work in our tattoo gallery.