TATTOO AFTERCARE - SORRYMON
Long Term Tattoo Care: Myth or Truth? - Sorry Mom
Long term tattoo care can be controversial. While some say there's nothing you can do to preserve the vibrancy of your tattoos, others believe that with the proper tattoo care you can positively impact the life of your tattoos. Who's right? While it is certain that your tattooed skin will inevitably age and sag with time, it is also true that we can better the appearance of our tattoos by taking the right steps. In this blog post we'll talk about the importance of moisturizing a tattoo in the healing process and some tips on how to improve the appearance and health of your tattoos in the long term. Read also: Tattoo Aging: Your Tattoos Will Age, You Decide How Fast. Moisturizing Your Tattooed Skin is Important Taking care of your skin is important in general. When having a tattoo, it becomes even more important, as it affects not only the health of the skin, but also the appearance of the tattoo. If exposed to many environmental changes, our skin shed cells more rapidly than other parts of the body and therefore need moisture to repair itself, which allows for younger skin cells to rise to the surface. Not only it's important to moisturize the skin, but also make sure to apply a massage in circular motions to stimulate blood circulation and new cell generation. - When to Moisturize Moisturizing after a warm shower is very important because hot water strips all the moisture and oils out of your skin, leaving it dry. Consequently, nurturing your skin with the right lotion after a shower is the perfect time to do it. Read also: How Often Should I Moisturize My Tattoo? - Should I Moisturize My Tattoo Forever? Following with the principle that what's good for your skin should be good for your tattoo, moisturizing your tattooed skin should be part of your long term tattoo care routine. TIP: Remember to moisturize your skin 2-3 times a day, or if your skin is visibly dry. Long-term Tattoo Care Products Some skincare products might be good moisturizers for your skin, but they lack of other properties that can make the difference when healing a tattoo. Therefore, it’s good practice to find products that have been developed for long term tattoo care only: - Tattoo Lotion Hydrating and protective lotion for daily use- Developed for long term aftercare- Rich on Vitamin E- Contains moisturizing ingredients that will keep your tattoos vibrant - Tattoo Process Butter Regenerative abilities- Keeps the skin calm, soft & elastic- Quickly absorbed Long Term Tattoo Care: 5 Simple Tips Assuming that fading is inevitable in the long term, we'll show you some tips/good practices to ensure you can keep your tattoos vibrant and healthy for the years to come: 1. Moisturize your skin daily As we've explained in this article, having a skin properly moisturized will help your tattoos looking amazing and healthy for many years. Read also: Dry Healing or How to Ruin Your Tattoo 2. Maintain a healthy lifestyle Staying healthy not only will help you look healthier and better, but it will also prevent you from radical weight changes. That change of weight in short periods of time can alter your skin, stretching the ink of your beloved tattoos. Read also: Can You Work out With a New tattoo? 3. Stay properly hydrated Your tattoo only looks as good as your skin. The more you hydrate, the better, and more vivid your tattoo will look. 4. Avoid the sun -if you can't, use tattoo sunscreen- Sunlight and tattoos don’t usually make a good combo. Left unprotected, your tattoos can fade, and your skin will end up damaged. Read also: Tattoos and Sun 5. Use common sense Avoid areas of the body that have more friction and wear applied to them - it will lose their skin cells more easily and so your tattoo will fade more easily; avoid exposing your skin to harsh chemicals... Long story short, avoiding anything that would be considered as harmful for your skin is one of the best tips we can give you. Summary If you have tattoos, it is not unlikely that you have been questioned with concerns about how your tattoo will look like once you are older. The question then is: is there something you can do to take care of your tattoos in the long term? Definitely, yes. With a healthy amount of common sense and a lot of proper tattoo care, you can ensure that your tattoo will look more vibrant and healthier for the rest of your days.
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3 Benefits of Wet Healing a Tattoo (According to Science) - Sorry Mom
Tattoos may have once been taboo or a sign of rebellion, but today they are more widely accepted than ever before. In fact, 32% of people in the US aged 14 to 29 have tattoos. Despite having to temporarily close during the start of the pandemic, tattoo shops are seeing business gradually pick up again. While there are standard rules and protocols for tattoo preparation, aftercare seems to vary from artist to artist. Some may cover your new ink in cling film while others prefer to put on a bandage. An artist may also recommend wet healing over dry healing. In today's post, we'll explain the difference between the two tattoo healing methods and which can be more advantageous for your tattoo as it heals. Wet Healing and Its Benefits What is wet healing? Wet healing refers to the treatment of any wound in a moist environment rather than a dry one. Let's now take a look to some of the benefits of wet tattoo healing: 1 - Accelerates the healing process Studies have found that medical professionals use wet dressings to accelerate the wound healing process in patients compared to dry dressings. The same concept would also apply to tattoos as they're essentially wounds. Medical professionals dress wounds this way because renewed skin will only form without eschars or inflammation if in a wet environment. Before wet healing was being used as a method, wound dressings were mostly used to absorb fluid and limit exposure to infections. However, it was discovered that by preventing the body from forming a scab over the wound, it would heal better and faster. 2 - Decreases the likelihood of infection Apart from taking less time to heal, wet healing also decreases the likelihood of infection in your tattoo. It also allows specialized skin cells to function more easily, such as the keratinocyte cells that aid in closing the wound. A key vitamin in this process is Vitamin K. This is because Protein C, an important part of the keratinocyte function, is a Vitamin-K dependent glycoprotein. In another article, SymptomFind details how Vitamin K helps the healing process by ensuring your blood clots properly, which is crucial for tattoos that bleed during the process. 3 - Reduces tattoo pain Wet healing also reduces pain. While not all tattoos will hurt significantly, minimizing the pain is very important because it lowers the stress response and reduces fatigue, promoting faster healing. Check Sorry Mom professional tattoo aftercare products here. Potential Risks of Wet Healing? While it has many benefits, wet healing also comes with potential downfalls if executed incorrectly. There are limitations in the products that work to promote moist wound healing. There is still a lack of commercial translation with regards to the wound-healing principles in clinically available products. That's why you need to choose the products for your wet healing. At Sorry Mom, we specialize in professional tattoo aftercare products that encourage healing, and have been clinically tested. However, you need to accompany these products with the correct preventative methods. There is a tendency for people to over-moisturize wounds like tattoos, especially when using ointments; while moisture in the wound is essential for it to heal, an excessive amount can cause more harm than good. Over moisturizing the area can also lead to yeast and fungus growth in your tattoo. It can also make enzymes that help remove dead tissue from the wound bed, melt the healthy skin around the wound. Read also: Dry Healing or "How to Ruin your Tattoo" What to Do if Your Tattoo is Compromised Even with wet healing, tattoos may become infected. Look out for signs such as oozing pus, swelling, raised tissue, pain, or fevers, as they are sure-fire indicators that you should seek medical help. You can get a consultation with a medical professional – even online if need be. Not only has the digital space made it easier to reach these types of professionals, but it also allows them to get the training they need, such as specialized tracks in dermatology. To prevent infections from happening, it is very important to follow our professional tattoo aftercare guide, particularly when applying a thin, consistent layer of regenerative balm. Remember to gently rub in the ointment so that it isn’t clumped on your skin; it should sit in a very thin, even layer on your tattoo. This will help you prevent infections and allow your tattoo to heal quickly and beautifully. Bottom Line When taking care of your tattoo, you need to make sure that it's healing properly both in terms of health and aesthetics. When comparing wet healing vs dry healing, the first method outweighs the second in both categories. Therefore, it's a no brainer for us: wet healing is the superior option. Remember to choose the right products though! At Sorry Mom we only develop products that are especialized in professional tattoo aftercare. However, if you want to learn more about how to choose the best tattoo aftercare products, you can take a look here.
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Complete Guide On How To Make Your Tattoo Shine - Sorry Mom
After a long time, tattoos are finally socially acceptable, and people are getting them more than ever before. However, with time, a tattoo can lose its vibrancy and might begin fading. That is why you must keep tattoos looking fresh with the right knowledge. If your tattoo is fading and you need to make it look as good as new again, you are in the right place. Here is your complete guide with tips & best practices on how to make your tattoo shine. Can You Brighten Up A Tattoo? Yes, there are ways you can brighten up your tattoo. You can easily use the following tips at home with consistency to ensure a restoration of the tattoo shine. There are many options to keep tattoos looking fresh, which include touch-ups, exfoliation, lotions, and much more. The option you choose depends on your budget and what you require. However, we recommend that you use a lotion to keep your tattoos looking fantastic at all times. It will give the tattoo the boost it truly needs. How To Make Your Tattoos Shine (Old & New): 5 Tips Here are the top five tips you must follow to make your old and new tattoos shine: 1. Tattoo Brightening Lotion (Sorry Mom) The most effective way is to use the right lotion to keep tattoos bright. Our Sorry Mom lotion is one of the best tattoo aftercare products you can invest in that will keep your tattoos looking fresh at all times. Besides that, it will even moisturize your skin so it can stay soft and smooth for a long time. You only have to put the lotion on your skin the way you would put any other lotion. Once you start using it with consistency, you will notice the results on your tattoo in no time. It will look bright and fresh like no other. 2. Exfoliating Gel If you want to make your old tattoo as good as new again, you can use an exfoliating gel. Such gels remove dull and dead skin that covers your tattoo. In addition, the gel will remove all the signs of aging on the tattoo and make it look great again. However, you must always read the directions before using the gel. As a general rule of thumb, you can leave it on your tattoo for five to fifteen minutes and then remove it. Leaving it for a few minutes will do wonders in no time. REMEMBER: This is only recommended on older tattoos, not newly made. 3. Touch-Up If your tattoo is extremely faded, it means your tattoo is too old now and requires a touch-up. Sometimes it is the only way you can make your tattoos shine again. If you need a touch-up, you can contact a professional tattoo artist to do your tattoo. They will offer you the best advice to bring your old tattoo to life in no time. You can also go to the same tattoo artist who did your original tattoo for the best results. 4. Cover-Up Tattoo If your old tattoo is beyond saving, you can always get a cover-up tattoo. It will cover your old tattoo, which is why you will not have to worry about fading more. Such a replacement is necessary when nothing else seems to work on the tattoo. You can talk to a professional, listen to the ideas that can extend to your design, and cover the previous tattoo. The tattoo artist will guide you further on what needs to be done to keep tattoos looking fresh in no time. 5. Color Rejuvenation A color rejuvenation is almost the same as getting a tattoo touch-up. That is because the first thing that starts fading in a tattoo is its color. Of course, as the colors start fading, you might not like your tattoo the same as before. If that is the case, you can always use color rejuvenation to brighten your tattoo in no time. Besides that, you can use this opportunity to fix any design errors that might have occurred during your tattoo process. So, it’s a win-win situation. How To Avoid Tattoo Fading: 3 Best Practices The longevity of the tattoo will depend on the aftercare routine you indulge in. There are steps you can take to keep tattoos looking fresh and avoid fading. Here are the three best practices you can follow for this: 1. Wear SPF Clothing or use +30 SPF Sunscreen The harsh sun is not good for your tattoo because it can fade the art. That is why we recommend you wear SPF clothing to protect your tattoo from fading. Besides that, you must also avoid wearing scratchy materials such as wool because they can also damage the tattoo in the long run. Also remember to wear proper tattoo sunscreen with +30 SPF. 2. Hydrate And Moisturize Your Skin The better your skin feels and looks, the better your tattoo will look. That is why it is crucial for you to hydrate and moisturize your skin at all times. You can invest in a tattoo lotion for aftercare and apply it daily to hydrate the area. In the long run, it will keep the tattoo bright and vibrant. 3. Always Keep It Clean Many people don’t think this is an important practice, but cleanliness will also keep your tattoo looking fantastic for a long time. So, it is crucial to keep the tattoo area clean at all times. Make sure you wash it with the Sorry Mom Tattoo Foam Soap or a fragrance-free soap to keep it looking beautiful. Summary That was your complete guide on how to make your tattoo shine. The journey of a tattoo does not stop at getting it because you must take care of it for your entire life so it can always look fantastic. You can invest in tattoo lotions and other aftercare products to make the most out of your tattoo.
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Tattoo Care: The First 48 Hours (Important) - Sorry Mom
Tattoo aftercare is one of the most important stages of getting a tattoo, but it's crucial the first 48 hours. In this post we'll talk about the most important aspects of tattoo care the first 48 hours and answer some of the most asked questions we get from our customers. Keep reading and get relevant information about taking care of your tattoo the first 2 days with practical examples. Tattoo Care: The First 48 Hours 7 Things You Should Know: 1- Keep it (very) clean Keeping your newly tattooed skin free of bacteria is key to avoid potential infections and developing any health issue. Therefore, we recommend you follow a thorough cleaning routine. How? Clean your tattoo 2-3 times a day or whenever you feel it's been compromised - excessive sweat, exposure to external agents, etc. Use antibacterial tattoo foam soap to avoid soaking your tattoo on water. If you clean your tattoo with neutral soap, remember not to soak the tattoo in water for a prolonged time, and use lukewarm water. Read also: How to Properly Clean Your Tattoo in 7 Steps 2- Avoid contact as much as possible It's important to keep external objects and dirt away from your newly tattooed skin, especially when it's so fresh. Therefore, be extra careful and aware of potential "dangers": bumping into someone, your pets, rubbing against your clothes, etc. TIP: Consider wearing baggy clothes the first days to avoid excessive rubbing. 3- Moisturize the area Wet healing your tattoos with the right products has proven to accelerate the healing process, decrease the likelihood of infection and to reduce tattoo pain. Considering these benefits, you should start moisturizing your tattoo early in the process - recommended after 24h - to ensure a proper healing from the start. Read also: How Often Should I Moisturize My Tattoo? 4- Don't scratch Expect itching on your freshly done tattoo as a normal part of the process. However, do your best not to scratch it, as it can cause scarring and even warp your tattoo. 5- Avoid sunlight Sunlight and tattoos don’t usually make a good combo; especially if we talk about fresh tattoos. Left unprotected, your tattoos can fade, and your skin will end up damaged. What can you do? Avoid exposing your tattooed skin to sunlight. If you have to go outdoors, cover your new tattoo with baggy clothes. REMEMBER: before using sunscreen, make sure your tattoo has completely healed first (at least 2 weeks). Read more: Tattoos and Sun: All You Need to Know 6- Keep it covered and protected The best - and most convenient - way to protect your new tattoo the first days of healing from foreign objects and germs is with a proper tattoo bandage. Make sure you use breathable and regenerative tattoo film. If not, cover your tattoo only the first 3-4 hours with the film given by the artist. 7- Don't soak your tattoo in water Keeping your newly tattooed skin away from getting soaked makes a huge difference in the longevity and overall quality of your tattoo. As a rule of thumb, you can shower 3-4 hours after getting your new tattoo. You should take extra caution when in the shower, though— avoid getting the tattoo wet directly, and clean it gently and with neutral soap. 48 First Hours of Tattoo Care: Step by Step Day 1 Once your artist is finished, you'll most likely get your tattoo wrapped. Keep the wrap for 3-4h. Before going to sleep, clean the area with antibacterial soap or neutral soap. Rebandage the area before going to sleep. You can use breathable tattoo film - recommended - or cling film. Read also: Tattoo care - first night Day 2 Remove the bandage and clean the area. If you have regenerative film, rebandage the tattoo and let it on for the next 2-4 days. Remember to apply moisturizer before applying the wrap. If you don't have tattoo film, don't rebandage, apply moisturizer and let your tattoo air-dry. Most Frequent Questions Should You Wash Your Tattoo the First Day You Get It? Yes. In fact, it is recommended to wash the area after removing the bandage your artist put on after finishing the tattoo. This way, you will reduce the chances of tattoo infection due to bacteria. REMEMBER: Avoid soaking the tattoo in water and the use of loofah sponges. Be gentle, use your hands only, the right tattoo soap and lukewarm water. How Long Should I Keep My Tattoo Covered After Getting It? Keep your tattoo wrapped for 2-4 hours after leaving the tattoo shop. If using protective tattoo film instead of cling film, keep the wrap on for 3-4 days. If using regular plastic foil, remove it after the first night and don't use it again.Read more: How Long Should You Keep Your Tattoo Wrapped? How Do You Take Care of a Tattoo After 2 Days? After the first 48 hours and up till 2 weeks, the aftercare routine will be based on two main aspects: keeping the area clean and moisturized. Take a look at our tattoo aftercare instructions to learn the proper way to take care of your tattoo. Bottom Line Taking care of your tattoo the first 48 hours can seem daunting and overwhelming at first, but if you can sit through the pain of a tattoo, this is an easy one for you.Our best recommendation? Follow your tattoo artist’s instructions diligently, and don’t skip on washing, moisturizing, and protect the area from foreign objects.
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What to Put on a New Tattoo? (Complete Guide) - Sorry Mom
In our many years of experience, we get the same question very often: what is the best thing to put on a new tattoo? There's no short answer to that, that's why we've made this guide.Long story short, the best thing to put on a tattoo should always combine both the protection of your skin and the preservation of an amazing looking tattoo. As said before, there’s no all-in-one magic product.The tattoo aftercare process has different stages, and depending on which stage you are, you should be using one or another tattoo aftercare product. Ready to know more? Let's jump into it. What to Put On a New Tattoo If you’ve followed us, you‘ve probably read this before: aftercare for tattoo is arguably the most important part of getting a tattoo. The following list shows the most important products for a proper aftercare process, ensuring a healthy skin and a good looking tattoo: MOISTURIZER Ensures the skin is properly moisturized, speeding up the healing process of your new tattoo. If you want to know more about the benefits of using ointments (wet healing) in the healing process of a tattoo, check out this post: Benefits of Wet Healing a Tattoo (According to Science) Protective Tattoo Film It gives you an extra protection against external objects and bacteria the first days of the healing process. The tattoo film MUST be breathable, otherwise you will put your skin at risk. Read more: Differences Between Protective Tattoo Film vs Cling Film Soap To make sure we clean the area safely, preventing bacteria from infecting our new tattoo, we need to use the right soap. To give you the safest and most convenient cleaning process, we developed our professional tattoo foam soap. It's antibacterial, soothing and gives you an amazing sense of freshness. What to Put On a Tattoo - Long Term Lotion Once your new tattoo is fully healed, it's important to keep your skin properly hydrated. Our professional tattoo lotion, especially developed for long term tattoo care, is rich on Vitamin E and other hydrating and protective ingredients. Thanks to its hydrating properties, your new tattoos will look vibrant for the years to come. Tattoo Sunscreen Exposing your new tattoo directly to sunlight is a big no. However, once the tattoo is fully healed (around 2-3 weeks), you should always use sunscreen specifically developed for tattoos if you are going outside. Remember that the best solution to avoid tattoo fading is not getting sunlight at all. However, we understand the need of getting exposed to the sun from time to time. In that case, we strongly recommend the use of a good tattoo sunscreen, with an SPF of 30 or higher. Is Coconut Oil Good for New Tattoos? Coconut oil based products are great for tattoo aftercare, as coconut oil has several inherent benefits. However, using coconut oil only on a new tattoo is not a good idea, as the tattoo is still an open wound, and it can affect negatively the healing process. Read more about the topic here: 6 Amazing Benefits of Using Coconut Oil on Your Tattoo What NOT to Put on a New Tattoo - Don't Put Sunscreen On New Tattoos Until your tattoo is completely healed, you should avoid sunscreen and sun exposure altogether. If you want to know more about this, check this post: Can You Put Sunscreen On a New Tattoo? - Scented Soaps Generic, scented soaps often contain artificial fragrances and color to make them more appealing, but it just spells bad news for your new ink. Avoid them and use tattoo-specific soaps or neutral soap. - Excessive Amounts of Moisturizer It's common belief that the more you moisturize your tattoo, the better. But the truth is, that over moisturizing leads to clogged pores and breakouts in your skin. A thin layer of your ointment or lotion to the tattooed area to avoid over moisturizing should be enough, as your new tattoo needs to breathe as well. Is Coconut Oil Good for New Tattoos? Coconut oil based products are great for tattoo aftercare, as coconut oil has several inherent benefits. However, using coconut oil only on a new tattoo is not a good idea, as the tattoo is still an open wound, and it can affect negatively the healing process. Read more about the topic here: 6 Amazing Benefits of Using Coconut Oil on Your Tattoo What NOT to Put on a New Tattoo - Don't Put Sunscreen On New Tattoos Until your tattoo is completely healed, you should avoid sunscreen and sun exposure altogether. If you want to know more about this, check this post: Can You Put Sunscreen On a New Tattoo? - Scented Soaps Generic, scented soaps often contain artificial fragrances and color to make them more appealing, but it just spells bad news for your new ink. Avoid them and use tattoo-specific soaps or neutral soap. - Excessive Amounts of Moisturizer It's common belief that the more you moisturize your tattoo, the better. But the truth is, that over moisturizing leads to clogged pores and breakouts in your skin. A thin layer of your ointment or lotion to the tattooed area to avoid over moisturizing should be enough, as your new tattoo needs to breathe as well. 3. Swimming Swimming with a new tattoo invites different bacteria and viruses that live in the water to enter the tiny holes that the needle created during the tattooing process. Keep the exposure to water to a minimum (showers) till your tattoo is fully healed. Read more: Tattoos and Water: All You Need to Know 4. Excessive Sweating Sweat builds on your skin and can inch into your tattoo, leading to itchiness and infection. 5. Wear Tight Clothing Tight clothing won't only be uncomfortable due to constant rubbing against your tattoo, but it can also increase the chances of getting an infection -lack of oxygen-. 6. (Not) Taking Care of Your Tattoo We can't stress enough how important it is to take proper care of your new tattoo. Although a tattoo is just a cosmetic procedure, its effects go much deeper than your skin. For this reason, aftercare is essential not only for keeping your tattoo looking fabulous, but also for your overall health. 7. Bacteria This is self explanatory, but it's important to remember that hygiene and a proper tattoo aftercare routine are the best ways to keep your new tattoo from getting infected. 8. Hot Water Hot water will open your pores, making your new tattoo more vulnerable to bacterial infection and possibly ink leakage. Summary Tattoo aftercare is really important, not only for aesthetics, but also –and most importantly- for your skin's health sake. Using the proper products on your new tattoo will thus increase the chances of having an amazing-looking and healthy tattoo.
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Will My Watercolor Tattoo Fade Easily? Read This First - Sorry Mom
Watercolor tattoos are perhaps the most prominent new trend in tattoo artistry, where the artist tattoos in a style reminiscent of watercolor paintings. These are beautiful, colorful works that lack the solid black outlines traditional tattoos have, giving them a completely different look. A watercolor tattoo is instantly recognizable and presents a distinct new style of tattooing. The level of vivid color and gradients of tone tattoo artists can achieve with the style captures the beauty of watercolor paint. Some even mimic the style of impressionist artists like Monet. However, getting a watercolor tattoo also has a few controversies that we will dive into in the article. So, without further due, let’s get started. What are Watercolor Tattoos? How to Recognize Them Watercolor tattoos are a newer style of tattooing that looks like a watercolor painting on the skin. Watercolor’s soft, textured effect is replicated through brightly colored tattoo ink placed without outlines. Conveniently, the inconsistencies of a tattoo gun seem to match the different tones in watercolor that give it its characteristic charm. Almost any kind of image can be made in the watercolor style. That being said, flowers, whimsical paintings, and nature tend to be some of the most popular motifs. Abstract shapes are also a good choice. Read also: Popular Tattoo Meanings (With Pictures) They have gained popularity in recent years as one of the most easily identifiable and unique new trends. How to recognize watercolor tattoos: ● Little to no black outlining on the piece● If it has an outline, the bright colors tend to expand beyond it● The colors are vibrant and placed in a blob-like way● They look similar to watercolor paintings What Type of Needle Do You Normally Use for a Watercolor Tattoo? Watercolor tattoos require a different technique than standards tats, as they don’t begin with an outline. Instead, the process works similarly to watercolor painting, where after placing a stencil onto the skin, the artist will begin with the darkest colors to the lightest. Depending on the specific artist’s style, the types of needles used can vary, but a mag shading needle is a common choice. There are no specific special needles or inks for watercolor-style tattoos. Do Watercolor Tattoos Hurt More? Not at all! Many people even report that they tend to hurt less. Overall, it’s generally in the same range as other tattoos, so don’t expect a big difference if you’ve already had other tattoos. Less ink is used overall in watercolor tattoos, meaning it requires fewer punctures into the skin to deposit the ink. Theoretically, this is why it might hurt less for some people. Now, most watercolor tattoos require a lot of shading, which can be one of the more painful aspects of getting a tattoo. Of course, some tattoos don’t need much shading and can be less painful for that reason, but watercolor tattoos are made almost entirely of shaded sections. Read also: Where Does It Hurt Most to Get a Tattoo? Watercolor Tattoo on Dark Skin People with dark skin tones can have a lot of concerns with watercolor tattoos and whether they will show up properly. However, it’s something that absolutely can be done by an artist with the proper knowledge. A skilled tattoo artist should be able to tattoo on all skin tones, not just lighter ones. The colors used on dark skin tones have to be different from those used on lighter skin tones. Thus, the artist has to know how to get the proper saturation to show up on dark skin using knowledge of color theory. Earth tones tend to work the best on dark skin tones, making watercolor tattoos more challenging to pull off overall. For example, peach works better than orange, while olive tends to work better than green. Do Watercolor Tattoos Fade Easily? Watercolor tattoos can lose their luster faster than other tattoos, but this is not because they fade faster than other tattoos. Traditional and watercolor tattoos last the same amount of time, but watercolor tattoos can blur more quickly over time without solid outlines. Read also: Guide on How to Make Your Tattoos Shine However, the good news is that tattoo tech has improved a lot in recent years. As a result, the prevention of blurring and the strength of colors are stronger than ever before.Unfortunately, this has happened mainly in the last decade, meaning we don’t have much long-term information. Beyond that, we know that work completed in the last 20 years still looks good without some of these updates.That said, some factors can affect the speed of fading. How much sun the skin gets is one of them and the subtlety of the contrasts in color. A good artist will know how to design the tattoo to help it last as long as possible. Are Watercolor Tattoos a Bad Idea? Not necessarily. Let's explain this. Some tattoo artists have a problem with watercolor tattoos. They feel that tattoos require proper outlining and that it does a disservice to the client in the long term if they don’t have them. Black inks used in outlining are unique in that they have a carbon base. This creates a barrier around the colored parts of the tattoo that keep it from blurring out. That’s why there’s often still some outlining, even if it’s thin, to help prevent this. Some also argue that watercolor is still too new to understand its longevity. The debate around this online is quite heated. Regardless, watercolor tattoos have been done for over a decade now, and you can examine the results for at least that period. Some have turned out well; others have faded. It’s likely some of the old guard of tattoo artists are too aggressive on this front without knowing how the new upgrades in technology are changing the industry. However, that’s not to say that their experience should account for nothing. As long as you understand the controversy and that any watercolor tattoo will change over time, it’s not necessarily a bad idea. Summary Watercolor tattoos are a whimsical newer style that looks remarkably similar to watercolor paintings. They forgo solid outlines and use large swatches of saturated color to create a bright splash on the skin, often with a design mixed in and spilled over.
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Tattoo Care First Night Step by Step (All Questions Answered) - Sorry Mom
The first night after your tattoo session is crucial to ensure it heals properly and looks amazing. For anyone who appreciates tattoos, there is nothing more exciting than getting a new piece. But, as happy as you are to leave with your brand-new ink, there are some important things you need to know about tattoo care in the first 24 hours. Before you even get a new tattoo, you should know how to properly take care of it during the first night. Your artist can design and create the perfect tattoo for you, but it may all have been for nothing if you don’t do your part when it comes to aftercare. In this article, we talk about how to take care of your new tattoo the first night, and we've also answered all your questions regarding this topic. Why the First 24 Hours Are Crucial You may already know that a fresh tattoo takes about two weeks to completely heal. However, the first 24 hours after your session are the most crucial to the health and success of your newest piece. Even though most of us look at a tattoo and see a work of art and self-expression, the truth is that it is still an open wound. This means that your tattoo is vulnerable to infections and other possible issues. Keeping your tattoo clean and protected is the best way to ensure you steer clear of anything that could harm your tattoo or disrupt the healing process. Of course, this starts with knowing exactly how to practice the proper tattoo care on the first night. Read also: Tattoo Aftercare Instructions Step by Step Tattoo Care First Night: Step by Step The great news is that taking care of your tattoo on the first night is fairly simple and straightforward. You just have to be willing to put forth the time and effort to ensure a healthy healing process and a beautifully healed tattoo. #1 Tattoo Session The first step is to go to your tattoo session and get your new ink! As your tattoo artist works on your piece, this is the beginning of the process as the “wound” is being created. Therefore, listening to everything an artist tells you about tattoo care is important. #2 Bandage After your session, the artist will place a bandage over your tattoo. This bandage is typically tattoo film or cling wrap to protect your tattoo from any bacteria, scraping, or pulling while it heals. Tattoo film can usually be left on longer than cling wrap, as it allows your skin to breathe. Therefore, we strongly recommend you use tattoo film if possible. #3 Rebandaging In most cases, you will need to rebandage your tattoo during the first 24 hours. For example, if you had your session in the morning, you’d likely have to rebandage your tattoo before bed. However, if you get your tattoo in the afternoon or the evening, keep your bandage on for the first night while you sleep and change it the next morning. #4 Clean It is essential to clean your tattoo anytime you change your bandage. Likewise, if you get a tattoo in the morning, you should clean it between bandages. But, if you had your session later in the day, clean and rebandage your tattoo the next morning. Then, after applying your second bandage yourself, you can keep it on for about 3-4 days. Most Common Questions About The First 24h Of Taking Care Of A Tattoo: It’s normal to have a few questions about taking care of your tattoo – especially during the first 24 hours. While it’s always advised to talk with your artist about all of your aftercare concerns, there are a few commonly asked questions that tattoo enthusiasts ask before their first tattoo or a new one. - Should I wash the tattoo the first night? If you had your tattoo completed earlier in the day, there is an increased chance that it was exposed to possible bacteria, irritants, or other debris. Therefore, you should wash it the first night. However, if you had your tattoo session later in the day, you could wait until you wake up the next morning to clean it – be sure to rewrap your tattoo after any cleanings during the healing process. Should I moisturize my tattoo the first night? You should only concern yourself with keeping your tattoo clean and protected with a bandage during the first night. Wait until your skin becomes dry to start moisturizing. Should I wrap the tattoo the first night? Your tattoo artist will wrap your skin after completing your session. If they have instructed you to change the bandage during the first 24 hours, it’s best to listen to their advice. The most important thing to remember is to keep your tattoo wrapped during your first sleep. Things to Avoid the First Night You Get a Tattoo There are a few things you should avoid as your tattoo heals. - Avoid Alcohol And Drugs After getting a tattoo, drinking or doing drugs is usually not a great choice. Poor judgment and a healing wound are never a good combination. Avoid both during the healing process to ensure your tattoo heals completely and beautifully. - Avoid Too Much Contact With Other People And Or Pets Bacteria in an open wound can cause irritation and infection. Unfortunately, close contact with surfaces, other people, and even your furry friends puts you at a higher risk of coming into contact with something that can harm your tattoo. - Avoid Exercising Wait at least a few days before engaging in rigorous physical activity. Friction, sweat, and stretching can damage your healing ink and even increase your chance of infection. Read also: Can I Work Out After Getting a New Tattoo? - Avoid The Sun After your tattoo is healed, ensure it is well protected by consistently applying sunblock. Until it’s healed, avoid the sun altogether. Sun can damage your skin and affect the appearance of your tattoo, especially during the healing process. What Can Happen If You Don’t Take Good Care Of My Tattoos? As your skin heals, it is imperative to take good care of your tattoo. Without the proper cleaning, covering, and moisturizing, your skin is susceptible to infections, irritation, and even a botched appearance. If you care about how your tattoo heals and how it looks in the long run, it is important to ensure it is properly cared for. Summary Tattoos are a fantastic way to express ourselves and show off the things we love most. There is nothing more important than ensuring your tattoo looks as amazing as you imagined it.
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Tattoo Pain Chart (Male and Female): Where Does it Hurt the Most (and Least)? - Sorry Mom
Whether you're getting your first piece or looking to add a new one to your collection, it is no secret that tattoos can be painful. While some of us tolerate pain better than others, there is no shame in trying to find a spot that will result in a less painful experience. Even if you have many tattoos, you may be surprised to learn which places hurt the most and the least. Take a quick look at the following tattoo pain chart before your next tattoo to learn more about how tattoo pain affects different areas of the body. Factors Affecting Tattoo Pain How much pain you feel while getting a tattoo is not solely reliant on its location. In fact, many other factors play an important role. Knowing these factors and how much they can affect your experience can help you better plan and prepare for your next tattoo. - Placement Placement is arguably one of the most defining factors of tattoo pain. Each part of your body is unique. How much fat is in an area, how thin the skin is, and even the placement of nerves and veins can affect how well your body tolerates the pain associated with getting a tattoo. - Artist Tattooing is an art and requires the skills of a professional artist. It may be tempting to work with someone new to the craft - their rates tend to be lower. However, a more experienced artist likely has a more refined approach that can result in less pain. How they work is also important. An artist who takes their time is likely gentler to the skin, while some artists prefer a quicker approach or are more heavy-handed. Read also: First Tattoo: 6 Things Your Tattoo Artist Wants You to Know - Size and Style The bigger or more intricate the tattoo, the longer that needle will be on your skin. It is not uncommon for the skin to become more sensitive as it spends more time under the pressure and puncture of a needle. In addition, tattoos that require more shading and color can also cause more pain. Tattoo Pain Chart – Biological Female Men and women respond to pain differently, and research suggests that women respond to pain more intensely. However, it's impossible to determine if tattoos hurt women more than males because everyone's pain tolerance is different. It's also been stated that biological females have a lower pain tolerance than males but are more accepting of pain. While it hasn't been proven, some agree that women experience less pain than their male counterparts on the head, butt, and the back of the legs. Tattoo Pain Chart – Biological Male While there is no way to fully determine that men feel less tattoo pain better than women, certain research seems to indicate that this may be the case. According to the pain chart, males will likely feel more pain with tattoos on the feet, head, buttocks, and the back of the legs. On the other hand, Males appear to experience less discomfort in their backs and fingers. Where Does It Hurt Most To Get A Tattoo? While everyone has their own tolerance and individual response to pain, there are a few areas on the body that most can agree are more painful than others. You may want to reconsider these areas if you have a lower pain tolerance. - Head Your head has very little fat to cushion some of the impacts from the needle. This means that your bones and nerves are much more vulnerable to feeling pain. - Hands, Fingers, and Wrists Much like the head, your hands, fingers, and wrists have very little fat. These areas typically have thinner skin, making them more likely to feel a great amount of pain during the process. - Feet It only takes a quick look to notice that your feet have almost no fat on them. Most of us can see the movement of our own bones underneath the skin. This is something to keep in mind as the needle is likely going to put a lot of pressure on your bones and the many nerves in the feet. Read also: Foot Tattoo Care: What You Should Know - Ribs and Chest Men are more likely than women to feel additional pain in their ribs and chest. This is because the bones in these areas are very prominent and not typically covered by much fat. Women can carry more fat in this area, but that doesn't mean they are immune to experiencing more pain. How Can You Make Your Tattoo Hurt Less? While it is impossible to make the tattoo experience pain-free, there are a few things you can do to help minimize the amount of pain you feel. Knowing this information can be especially helpful if you feel you have a low pain tolerance or are particularly nervous about your experience. - Get a Good Night's Rest Exhaustion and fatigue can greatly affect your mental and physical state. Being in the right state of mind and feeling good physically can make your tattoo session much more enjoyable and even help to minimize your pain. - Placement Placement is one of the most significant factors contributing to tattoo pain – this is also true for any pain you may feel after your session. Therefore, choosing an area that has fewer nerve endings and more fat will likely result in less pain. - Distractions If you're gearing up for a long session, it is always a wise choice to bring something to keep you busy. This can be your phone, iPad, headphones, a book – anything to keep your mind from focusing on the pain. Final Thoughts There is no way to avoid pain when getting a tattoo – it is part of the experience! But that doesn't mean you don't have any control over your session.
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Hand And Finger Tattoos Aftercare: All You Need To Know - Sorry Mom
Hand and finger tattoos have skyrocketed in popularity recently, and it is easy to see why – they are great! However, whether you prefer something bold and colorful or a simple black and grey tattoo, there are a few aspects of hand and finger tattoos that require a bit of special care. Knowing how to properly care for your newest hand or finger tattoo helps to ensure that it heals well and looks perfect! Why Aftercare Is Especially Important On Hand And Finger Tattoos Paying special attention to your tattoo aftercare is especially important for tattoos on the fingers and hands. You spend all day using your hands, so this area of the body is much more susceptible to irritants, potential infections, and physical risks. Hand And Fingers Tattoo Care: Step By Step Before getting a hand or finger tattoo, it’s recommended to know the proper aftercare steps and how they can be different from the usual aftercare practices for other areas of the body. Here is what you need to know. #1 Get Your Tattoo This is the fun part! After talking with your artist and figuring out the best design and approach, you schedule a session to get your new tattoo. #2 Bandage After your session, your tattoo artist will cover your tattoo with a special, breathable film to help protect it from bacteria, debris, and other irritants. #3 Keep It Protected The first 24 hours of tattoo care are crucial to ensuring a healthy and successful healing process. Therefore, you want to ensure your tattoo is wrapped and protected throughout the first night. This helps keep your bedding from scraping, pulling, or sticking to your healing skin. #4 Rebandage After you wake up, remove the original wrap, and clean your tattoo. Once your tattoo is clean and dry, apply a new wrap. #5 Moisturize After 3-4 days, you can remove any bandages. Next, clean your tattoo and begin moisturizing with a specialized tattoo balm. Do this 2-3 times a day – more if your skin becomes dry. #6 Long Term Care After your tattoo is fully healed, which takes about two weeks, be sure to moisturize regularly with lotion to ensure your skin and your tattoo always look its best. Read also: Long Term Tattoo Care: Myth or Truth? Hand And Fingers Tattoo Care: Must Know If you want the appearance of your hand and finger tattoos to be fantastic for a long time, you will have to take care of it. While the following advice should be followed well past your initial session, it is especially important to practice good tattoo aftercare during the healing period. Avoid The Sunlight Unprotected sun exposure is bad for skin, regardless of whether you have tattoos. But if you have tattoos, the sun can cause premature fading and even more serious damage to one that is not fully healed. Avoid Excessive Contact With External Objects/Rubbing Friction or rubbing on a healing tattoo can pull the ink right from your skin and expose it to bacteria and other irritants. Hand and finger tattoos are especially exposed to excessive rubbing and contact with external objects, which can cause fading. Therefore, it is important to try and minimize this risk as much as possible. Avoid Excessive Sweating While The Tattoo Is Healing Believe it or not, sweat can actually affect how your tattoo looks during the healing period. This is because too much sweat can degenerate the ink before it has had enough time to set in your skin. For this reason, you should avoid any excessive physical activity for a few days after a new tattoo. Read also: Can I Work Out With a New Tattoo? Stay Properly Hydrated For The Sake Of Your Skin Regeneration If your body isn’t at its best, the healing process can take longer and even be less comfortable. Moisturizing your tattoo is an important part of the healing process because it keeps your skin in its best condition – but moisturizing is more than just applying a balm. Moisturized and resilient skin is also the effect of proper hydration. Keep The Area Moist With The Right Products Refrain from going to the drugstore and picking any bottle of lotion from the shelf when it comes time to moisturize your tattoo. Your hands and finger are even more prone to drying as they are more frequently exposed to weather and other elements. Instead, opt for a balm or oil-based product to ensure your skin is well-moisturized. Avoid Harmful Chemicals Fragrances and other chemicals found in regular skincare products can irritate your tattoo. The same goes for soaps, cleaning products, and anything else that may come into contact with your hands while your skin is healing. Avoid Picking/Scratching Even though your tattoo will itch, it is crucial to refrain from scratching or picking at it while it heals. This exposes your tattoo to more bacteria and can even affect how well your skin recuperates. Most Common Questions About Hand And Finger Tattoos: Can I Wash My Hands After Getting A Hand Tattoo? Frequently washing your hands while your tattoo heals is encouraged as it helps to remove bacteria and other irritants from your skin. Do Hand And Finger Tattoos Fade Fast? Hand and finger tattoos fade faster than others and often require multiple touch-ups. Do Hand and Finger Tattoos Hurt? The pain felt during a tattoo session is different for everyone. However, many agree that hand and finger tattoos hurt more than other areas. This is likely due to less fat and more nerve endings in these areas. Do They Age Well? They are more prone to aging when compared to tattoos in other areas of the body. This is mostly due to how much we use our hands on a daily basis. Final Thoughts There is no doubt that hand and finger tattoos are having their moment. While these tattoos can look amazing and help you continue to customize your body art, they don’t come without their own set of risks and disadvantages.
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