Healing Your New Tattoos in North Edmonton
Alana: Thanks so much for joining us at the Skinartj YouTube channel! My name is Alana and I’m joined as always by J from Skinartj and tattoos in north Edmonton. We are going to be talking to you today about healing your tattoo and the various ways that you can do that.
Our quote for today is: Art is not what you see, but what you make others see – Edgar Degas. I love that! I love his paintings as well!
Our fact for the day is: in some cultures throughout history having a tattoo indicated your status as part of the aristocracy; this was because only the wealthy could afford the luxurious, time consuming process of getting inked. In 18th century Japan for example, intricate full body designs were in fashion among the most wealthy. Conversely, in other cultures, and at different times tattoos were used to mark prisoners, enslaved people, and criminals to indicate their status in society. So tattoos have been forever marking us and telling each other what we want them to know about us.
It’s fascinating – seeing how it’s different associations or different imagery that has kind of branded or labeled someone as something and it shows origins or where it’s coming from.
J: That’s so interesting.
Understanding the Tattoo Healing Process
Alana: Many people say that they would love a tattoo but are nervous about the process of getting a tattoo. They fear the unknown as well as the stress about what the healing process is like. But once someone gets their first tattoo, it’s usually a short time before they get their next one. Do you find that it’s an addictive process?
J: I joke with my clients quite commonly, especially when they are more anxious and they’re just getting something, I’m like: all right like you can feel this way. I’m also going to let you know it’s not as bad as you think, and we’re going to walk you through it and nine times out of 10 when I start that first line they’re like that’s it and then they start giggling because they’re like I totally freaked or psyched myself out before the process and this is what it is they’re like oh it’s actually not that bad I’m like that’s that’s what I’m saying like it’s not the worst thing that you’re going to experience of course the longer you sit in the chair the more intense it’s going to be.
Alana: Excellent! So our first question is why do tattoos need to heal?
J: They need to heal because you’ve opened up skin, which has created a wound on someone. It’s a very pretty wound, but you have created a wound. I commonly like to express to my clients: it’s like riding a bike. You fell off your bike and scraped your knee. It’s not going to be death, and it’s not going to be horrendous, but still painful and it needs that time to heal so that it can go back to its most natural state.
Alana: Okay excellent! How long does a tattoo take to heal?
J: Depending on the artists and the techniques used, it’s usually between 2 weeks to a month. I usually estimate on the high end, and prepare my clients for a month – just to make sure it’s healed. It fluctuates between the two.
Alana: What will the tattoo artist do immediately after the tattoo is done?
J: For myself, I will walk someone through the aftercare process depending on which direction we go with. That, and how to take care of it using one of two specific methods, and what to expect with healing. I like to make sure that they’re aware of that before they leave. And if they have any questions, that they have the opportunity to ask me before heading out the door.
Traditional Bandaging vs. Second Skin
Alana: Excellent! Do you wash the tattoo? Do you bandage it? What does that process look like?
J: It’s a little bit different. There are two different methods that I personally use. One is a black bandage that commonly is referred to – by some people – as part of a meat package. And it’s more of a traditional style of healing, where it’s just keeping the fresh tattooed dry and protected when you leave the tattoo studio. It’s only on temporarily, then you take it off when you get home and take care of it yourself. From there, just make sure to keep it clean and dry, and wash it as directed. I always instruct people to wash their hands first: make sure that they’re clear of any bacteria that could potentially interact with the wound. Then, wash their tattoo with a non-scented soap. Make sure it’s non-scented, so that the fragrance is not going to be further irritating and adding more sting to the tattoo. And then, I personally state to just let the area air dry because you can tell people to lightly pat their tattoos or whichever. I just like to be on the safe side to make sure that nothing comes in contact with the tattoo, so I tell them to air dry for a couple minutes and then moisturize with a thin layer of a non-scented lotion. Once again don’t want scented lotion, because it’s going to irritate the tattoo really badly, and potentially hinder the healing process if used otherwise.
Alana: Great information – thanks. What is Second Skin?
J: Second Skin is the second method I use with my tattoo clients. it’s a clear bandage that stays on longer than the one that I previously mentioned. This one is used after my client has gone through a longer, more uncomfortable tattoo process. When we’re done, I completely cover up their tattoo. It does have more sting to it, but I clean the tattoo, and then put a clear bandage over their tattoo. This bandage is meant to stay on for 5 to 7 days, and it actually helps to speed up the healing process. This bandage protects the tattoo a bit more, and gives it that extra barrier, so there’s little less worry or a little less responsibility of the client to take care of that tattoo.
Alana: Okay, and how long should a client wear the Second Skin before removing it?
J: Five to seven days.
Alana: Great information. Once they remove the Second Skin, how should they care for that tattoo?
J: Same thing, where they’re going to and wash their hands. Ideally, I recommend people go into the shower when they do it. It’s helpful having running water. I found personally it helped a lot when I had my own, and pulling the Second Skin downwards is going to create a little bit of resistance but if they can gently tug down and get it loose and then slowly jimmy it off, that’s probably going to give them the best results to get it off. Some people have told me that they’ve used baby oil at the same time just to loosen it. I don’t suggest that. Just make sure, once again there’s no other substance around it, but is something I’ve been told from people. Then you’re
going to want to wash the tattoo after you’ve removed that bandage.
Alana: Oh, okay! Excellent info. And again, how long should a client wear a black bandages?
J: I tell people commonly a few hours to overnight just for how I personally approach
tattooing. I don’t find that I have a lot of weeping tattoos that fill ink sacks. There will be a little bit of plasma and blood, but not to the point that it’s fully pocketing something, so I commonly
let them know that it’s going to be a few hours, depending on how late of the night that we’ve gone with the tattoo, and then if not leave it on overnight and in the morning remove it.
Alana: Great to know. And once the tattoo has healed, how should people care for their tattoo?
J: I do suggest if they’re capable of doing it which even for myself is a huge challenge: wear sunscreen. Sunscreen will save your tattoos. It’ll save your skin, it’ll make your tattoos more vibrant. And that’s part of just caring for your body. Make sure that you’re hydrated, make sure that you’re taking the supplements you need for your own nutrition. Moisturize your body.
Protecting Your Ink: What to Avoid
Alana: Great advice. Next question: what should a person do if their tattoo becomes swollen, puffy or infected?
J: First thing is of course reach out to your artist like let them know, so that they’re aware of what’s happening during your healing process. From there, they might have instructions to help, and ensure it doesn’t escalate further. If the infection is in its early stages, there might be some preventative measures like using Polysporin recommended. If the infection is in later stages, is not within the control of the client or the artist at all, the artist should tell the client to go to the doctor’s office and get some antibiotics.
Alana: All right – excellent advice. And what should a newly tattooed person do – or specifically avoid doing – once they’ve been newly tattooed?
J: While animals are adorable, they can also contribute to some complications. Your pet may try to help the healing by licking you. And you really don’t want their tongues on your fresh wound. Their tongue has bacteria, so that’s one of the big no-no’s. I have heard horror stories from people, telling stories of baby diaper changes, and not washing hands after, and before washing their tattoo. They might see a bad infection, very fast. So basic hygiene is needed. A tattoo is an open wound you will want to baby. You won’t want anything coming in contact with it. Act as though you have a guard around your tattooed body part saying “do not touch”. No swimming, no hot tubs, no bacteria! Say no to going in a local lake or your local swimming pool with bacteria and chlorine. It’s just it’s not a good combo!
Alana: So what about going to the gym? What’s your recommendation to people who want to go to the gym right after their tattoo?
J: I can’t control people, or what they choose to do. However, I will strongly suggests that they
take some rest so that their body can recover. It’s already healing from a tattoo, don’t add further stress or tension by going to the gym and introducing sweat and bacteria into your open wound. That being said, people don’t always follow that advice and they might need some touch-ups if they don’t follow that advice.
Alana: All right, should people avoid going out in the sun immediately after their tattoo?
J: People should act as they they are vampires. Stay out of the sun, stay in the shade. They will notice that if the sun is shining directly on their new tattoo, they will feel it quite intensely. There is also a scenario I’ve heard of, from people who did go into the sun too soon after getting a tattoo, and a lot of the ink disappeared.
Alana: Oh no!
J: You definitely don’t want to expose yourself to something like the sun, that is already potentially going to harm it. And you especially shouldn’t do that while the tattoo is still very fresh.
The Best Time of Year for New Tattoos
Alana: Right. So it’s almost as though the best time to get a tattoo is the winter months. Especially in Alberta. We are so far away from the sun, and it shines very little during the winter months. Would you say December, January and February are the best months to get tattooed?
J: Yes! Commonly we do suggest to a lot of people that they should get tattooed in the winter, and a lot of people have started doing just that. They get their tattoo, and are healed by spring, so they get to enjoy summer to its fullest extent, without worrying that they will ruin their new ink.
Alana: Perfect! I know when I’ll get my next tattoo! Well that’s all we have today for this episode of Skinartj’s episode on their YouTube channel. Thanks to everyone who tuned in! My name is Alana this is J herself, and if you’re interested in looking at the flash gallery or scheduling a consultation please visit her website at www.skinartjtattoos.com, or find her on Instagram: @Skinartj also Facebook Skin-Art-J and TikTok @Skinartj you can find her all over the place look at that great flash gallery and schedule your consultation! Thanks so much, we’ll see you next time!