Did you get yourself a tattoo on your sensitive skin? Bravo my courageous friend! Getting a tattoo is not easy and getting one done on sensitive skin is like playing with an electric wire. One mistake could cause severe harm. Now that you got your dream, tattoo are you worried about how to take care of your tattoo? Tattoo aftercare for sensitive skin can be a bit tricky.
Having sensitive skin may limit a lot of things. Like using certain products, wearing certain jewelry, wearing certain fabrics, eating a certain food, etc. But getting a tattoo is definitely not a limitation for people with sensitive skin. As a professional tattoo artist, I tattoo clients with sensitive skin almost every day or every other day. That’s how much common it is. And the aftercare of tattoos on sensitive skin can be a bit more to handle for some. But I will break it down to you in simple terms so that you can follow my aftercare advice with your eyes closed. Let’s go!
Key Takeaways
- If you have sensitive skin, make sure to do 4 things before getting a tattoo. These are: choose a professional tattoo artist, talk to your tattoo artist, select the ink, and do a patch test.
- A few immediate aftercare tips after getting a tattoo for sensitive skin are leaving the bandage on, gently removing the bandage, gently cleansing, avoiding vigorous rubbing, and applying tattoo-specific ointment.
- Ongoing aftercare tips after getting a tattoo on sensitive skin are washing the tattoo twice a day, switching from ointment to lotion, choosing a quality moisturizer, do not scratch or pick, avoiding direct sunlight, wearing breathable clothing, and avoiding jewelry.
4 Things to Do Before Getting A Tattoo on A Sensitive Skin
In case you have not gotten your tattoo yet and just looking up information regarding tattooing on sensitive skin then you are the lucky one! Because before I explain the aftercare routine, I will be giving you some awesome advice on things you should do before getting a tattoo on sensitive skin. This way you can eliminate or at least minimize the amount of issues you may face when getting the tattoo.
1. Choose a professional tattoo artist
Do some research, and find out a professional tattoo artist who specializes in tattooing on sensitive skin. A tattoo artist who has done many tattoos on sensitive skin is defiantly more qualified to tattoo on your sensitive skin. Because a normal tattoo artist may not know how to handle sensitive skin, what ink to use, and what technique to use.
2. Talk to your tattoo artist
Before you get the tattoo, talk to your tattoo artist and share everything regarding your sensitive skin. No need to be shy here. If your tattoo artist knows all the issues regarding your skin he can apply a tattooing technique that would avoid or at least minimize your skin-related issues.
3. Select the ink
Selecting the tattoo ink is very crucial. In my career, I have seen many reputable brands of ink cause nasty reactions when injected into sensitive skin. So do your research and take recommendations from your tattoo artist to choose a tattoo ink that would not cause any negative reaction to your skin.
4. Do a patch test
Make sure to do a small patch test before you start tattooing. This small patch test can save you from any adverse reaction when you get the tattoo.
5 Immediate Aftercare Tips for Sensitive Skin After Getting A Tattoo
Now comes the moment you have been waiting for. If you just got the tattoo on your sensitive skin but you are not sure how to go about the aftercare routine then follow the tips below:
1. Leave the bandage on
I see so many daredevils taking off the bandage right after getting the tattoo. It is highly recommended to keep the bandage on for at least a few hours till you reach home from the tattoo parlor. If you have sensitive skin then I recommend keeping the bandage for at least 6 hours to a maximum of 12 hours after getting the tattoo.
2. Gentle removal of the bandage
Do not just yank the Saniderm or Tegaderm off your skin. It could peel a layer of your skin and make the area even more sensitive. Gently remove the Saniderm bandage and make sure to follow your tattoo artist’s advice on removing the bandage. I would suggest opening it while having running water like when you are showering. The water can help loosen the adhesive and make it easier to remove the Saniderm. Another neat trick is to take a bit of coconut oil and apply it around the edges of the Saniderm. This works by breaking down the adhesive of the bandage and makes taking off the bandage itself a breeze!
3. Gentle cleansing
Use a super gentle soap or cleanser that does not cause any irritation to your sensitive skin to wash the tattoo after taking off the bandage. Gently rub and remove the adhesive or residue of the bandage and after cleaning the tattoo use a clean towel or a new paper towel to gently dab the area dry.
4. Avoid vigorous rubbing
While cleaning or soaking the area dry, avoid vigorous rubbing. Even normal tattooed skin gets damaged and irked by vigorous rubbing. If you rub your sensitive tattooed area too much it could react pretty badly.
5. Apply tattoo-specific ointment
After cleaning apply tattoo-specific ointment. You can take your tattoo artist’s recommendation to choose an ointment.
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6 Ongoing Aftercare Tips for Sensitive Skin After Getting A Tattoo
After you have done the immediate care properly, you can proceed with the online aftercare tips that I have provided here.
1. Washing the tattoo twice a day
Wash the tattoo twice a day to keep the pores clean. If your tattooed skin gets clogged pores it could cause pimples and your sensitive skin may get irritated.
2. Switching from ointment to lotion
Healing ointments are fantastic for the first 2 to 3 days after getting the tattoo. But after that, you have to switch to something light as a lotion for your sensitive tattooed skin.
3. Choosing a quality moisturizer
You have to use a quality moisturizer on a daily basis. Choose a moisturizer that does not contain any fragrance, dye, or ingredient that could harm your sensitive skin or your new tattoo. You can choose moisturizers that are specially formulated for tattoos, 100% natural moisturizers, and aloe vera-based moisturizers for your sensitive tattooed skin.
4. Do not scratch or pick
You will see some scabs and crusts forming over your tattoo, it is completely normal regardless you have sensitive skin or not. And these scabs and crusts may feel a bit itchy but avoid scratching or picking on them. As doing say may end up irritating the skin, and fading or distorting the new tattoo. Moisturizing will soothe the itchiness and you may gently tap to reduce the itchy feeling you are having.
5. Avoid direct sunlight
Avoid exposing your new tattoo to direct sunlight. Your sensitive skin may get easily irritated by exposing the wounded skin to sunlight. Not to mention direct sunlight can easily fade your new tattoo.
6. Wear breathable clothing and avoid jewelry
Go for breathable and loose-fitted clothing as they won’t cause any fabric friction and will provide enough air to your sensitive tattooed skin. Make sure to avoid wearing jewelry as they can further irritate your sensitive skin.
FAQs
Can I get a tattoo on my sensitive skin?
Of course, you can get a tattoo on your sensitive skin. Just make sure to choose a tattoo artist who specializes in tattooing on sensitive skin, choose tattoo ink that is formulated for sensitive skin, and follow all the crucial aftercare advice your tattoo artist gives you.
Can I go for a sun bath after getting a tattoo on my sensitive skin?
No, you should avoid exposing your new tattoo to direct sunlight that includes avoiding sunbathing as well. Your newly tattooed skin may get even more irritated if you go for a sunbath and it may fade the tattoo and delay the healing time of it.
Can I use vegan tattoo lotions for my aftercare routine?
Of course, you can use a vegan lotion for your aftercare routine. Just make sure the lotion is safe to use for sensitive skin. Check the labeling to see if the lotion has any ingredients that could irritate your sensitive skin, if you do not find any harmful ingredients then surely you can use that vegan lotion for your tattoo.
Final Thoughts
Tattoo aftercare for sensitive skin can sound a bit complicated but trust me it is not. It is best if you start taking the necessary steps even before you get the tattoo on your skin. What I mean is choosing the right tattoo artist, choosing the right tattoo ink, do a patch test before you get the tattoo.
After a few immediate aftercare steps include not taking off the bandage right away, taking off the bandage gently, gently washing the tattoo, not rigorously rubbing the tattoo, etc. And ongoing aftercare includes not using any cleanser that could cause irritation, not exposing the new tattoo to direct sunlight, switching to lotion from healing ointment, not picking or scratching the tattoo, etc. Let me assure you, as long as you follow these basic aftercare tips for your sensitive skin, your skin and the tattoo would be just fine.
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