Tattoos are a popular form of body art all around the world and the United States is no exception. Forty-five million Americans have at least one tattoo. 58% of women have at least one tattoo, while only 41% of men have one. As tattoos are considered a minor form of surgery (due to the needle piercing the skin), it is very important to follow the directions of the tattoo artist when it comes to proper tattoo aftercare. This is especially important when the tattoo begins to peel (a normal event) five to fourteen days after application is finished. There are many tips for peeling tattoo care, and this article will take a look at a few of them.
- Keep the Area Clean and Dry: One tip for handling peeling tattoo care is to keep the tattooed area as clean and dry as possible. This is an important aspect of proper tattoo care because the skin needs time to heal. After all, your skin is pierced 50 to 3000 times per minute by the tattoo machine, and even though the needle marks are small that’s still something that needs to heal, and the best way to do that is to keep the tattooed skin dry and clean.
- Use Lotion to Moisturize the Tattooed Area: Another tip for handling peeling tattoo care is to use lotion (as directed) to moisturize the tattooed skin. This would generally start after the tattooed skin begins to peel, as lotion would sooth the peeling skin and keep it from hurting too much. It should be noted that it won’t take a lot of lotion to moisturize the area, just enough to leave a thin layer on the skin.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: And finally, a third tip for handling peeling tattoo care is to avoid direct sunlight. According to Bustle, it is important to avoid sunlight for as long as possible because the UV rays in sunlight tend to break down the ink used in tattoos. It won’t destroy them overnight, but over time it will cause the tattoo to begin fading out, which isn’t good if you want the tattoo to last in good condition for a long time.
In conclusion, there are several tips for taking care of your peeling tattoo. These tips include keeping the area clean and dry, using lotion as directed to moisturize the tattooed skin, and avoiding direct sunlight, especially when the tattoo is new. These are just a few tips for taking care of your peeling tattoo.
