A new tattoo design is a beautiful thing. It's a way to express yourself and show the world something unique about you. But before you can enjoy your new ink, you need to go through the healing process. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size and location of the tattoo. In this article, we will discuss the steps of a tattoo's healing process, as well as some tips to help you have a positive experience.
Step One: Getting the design
The first step in the tattoo healing process is getting the tattoo. If you follow your artist's instructions, it will be relatively painless. Most tattoo artist use a topical anesthetic to numb the area so that you can get through this without too much discomfort. During this time, they also prep the area and apply any stencils that might be needed.
Step Two: The Tattooing Process
Once you're all numbed up, the artist creates your design using a tattoo machine. They will go over each area multiple times, which causes the pain. Each pass is called a "stroke", and most tattoos consist of thousands of these. The number of passes will, of course, depend on the size and detail of your design. You may be wondering how you can stand all that pain. Believe it or not, most people don't even feel the first few strokes! But why is this?
Understanding How Tattoos Work
For those new to tattoos, it's important to understand how the process works. During this entire time, you may be wondering why you can't feel anything. Well, tattoos work by puncturing the top layers of skin about a thousand times a minute! This is called the needle entering and exiting your skin. Since you have a topical anaesthetic applied to your tattoo, you can't feel it when the needle contacts your skin. The numbing cream dulls the pain just enough so that you don't feel it.
Of course, there is also a psychological factor at play here. Since tattoos are often done in large sessions, you get used to the feeling of being tattooed over time. This is why many people don't feel much pain after the first few "strokes".
Step Three: The Tattooing Aftercare Process
Once the tattooing process is over, it's time to take care of your new ink. Your artist will tell you how to do this in their shop, but here are a few things that you need to remember. First, your new tattoo needs to be washed before you head out the door. This is usually done with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap. If you stay local, they will tell you where to go next. If not, then it's time for you to clean up at home!
Drying Your Tattoo
To dry your new tattoo, gently pat it with a clean towel. Be careful not to scrub it anyway, as this could lead to infection and scarring. Once it's dry, you should apply a thin layer of ointment or cream that is made just for tattoos. Make sure that this cream does not have any alcohol, as it will dry out your skin.
A Note about Sunlight
Tattoos should be kept covered and away from direct sunlight for at least the first week. If you go into the sun, make sure to use sunscreen with a high SPF level. This will prevent your tattoo from getting damaged by UV rays. Apply sunscreen everywhere on the skin.