Both alcohol and caffeine thin the blood. They both can increase bleeding which can causes the ink not to stay as well resulting in a blotchy tattoo. Increased bleeding can also cause scabbing which can negatively impact the healed result. Dairy and sugar slow wound healing and can slow the healing of a tattoo.
For 48 hours prior to getting a tattoo, ensure that you don't drink any alcohol or caffeine. Since both substances are known to thin the blood, they could lead to increased bleeding during the process and make it a lot more bloody than it needs to be.
For these reasons, it's best to avoid alcohol for at least the first 24-48 hours after getting a tattoo, however, practitioners recommend longer for maximum results and health benefits. During this time, your body works hard to heal the tattoo, and any additional stress or strain can impede the healing process.
NEVER itch or pick your tattoo: Picking off scabs or itching your tattoo will delay healing and may damage your ink. Drying your tattoo with washcloths or towels can also remove scabs and delay healing. Friction from wearing tight pants or shirts over your tattoo can also irritate the skin.
Picking or Scratching Itchy or Peeling Skin
Itchy and scabby skin can be annoying during the healing stages. But remember, don't pick or scratch it! This can potentially damage the color and lines of your new tattoo.
Use the Aquaphor for the first 2-3 days then switch to a regular FRAGRANCE-FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance-free brand. 5. Fresh tattoos sometimes “weep” during the first couple of days, meaning that plasma and ink form a thin moist coating on the skin. This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel.
When getting a tattoo alcohol and caffeine should be avoided for 24 hours prior to the tattoo session and 3 days after the tattoo session. Both alcohol and caffeine thin the blood. They both can increase bleeding which can causes the ink not to stay as well resulting in a blotchy tattoo.
Until the surface of the tattoo is healed (at a minimum of two to three weeks), wash the area gently 2-3 times per day. After cleaning the tattoo during this two to three week period, gently apply a thin coat of a lotion-based care product. We recommend After Inked tattoo moisturizer and aftercare lotion.
Alcohol can thin your blood, which may increase bleeding during the tattoo process and slow down the healing afterwards. It can also dehydrate your skin, potentially affecting how well the tattoo heals. For best results, it's wise to give your body time to recover without the influence of alcohol.
Patients who consume coffee, chocolate, tea, or other foods and beverages with a high caffeine content prior to treatment are more susceptible to discomfort during laser tattoo removal.
Caffeine might slow blood clotting. Taking caffeine along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Carefully wash your tattoo area three times a day with soap and water, and gently pat it dry. Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean your tattoo to keep it moist. After 5 days, you can switch from an antibiotic ointment to a gentle fragrance-free body lotion.
There hasn't been an official study on how much ink (if any) Aquaphor can remove or fade from a tattoo. In the interest of fairness, plenty of tattoo artists claim that they've never experienced ink loss in their clients that use Aquaphor.
You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.
The answer is no. Tempting as it is to speed things up, picking or pulling at peeling skin can damage your tattoo. Those flakes are holding onto ink and skin cells that are still healing.
Is it OK to wear clothes over a new tattoo? Yes, but try not to after the few initial days after application. If you do, make sure you change your clothes frequently. In our experience, tattoos can weep onto the clothes and if you don't change them, it can cause infection.
Don't worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and masks its true appearance. In time this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself, revealing your tattoo underneath in all its vibrant glory.
Like alcohol, you should avoid all types of energy drinks: coffee, coca-cola and other caffeinated liquids. Such drinks dilate blood vessels, which can lead to more bleeding with skin injuries. From the list of foods consumed, seafood should be excluded, as well as fatty, heavy, spicy and fried foods.
Drinking plenty of water keeps your skin hydrated from the inside out, promoting faster healing. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day. Hydrated skin not only heals faster but also retains the ink better, keeping your tattoo looking fresh and vibrant.
Apply a mild moisturizer to the tattooed skin several times a day. Avoid sun exposure. Keep the tattooed area out of the sun until it heals. Don't go swimming.