Are you concerned with how this will affect your tattoo?

Don’t worry, having a tattoo scab is pretty normal. It won’t happen all the time but if it does it is nothing to freak out about. Leave the scabs alone and it will eventually fall off on it’s own and your tattoo will complete the healing process.

Just be sure to avoid the following:

• Don’t soak the tattoo in water for long periods of time.
• Don’t scratch/itch the tattooed area (even though you really want to).
• Don’t pick at the scab (that’s a bad habit).

Many people will experience scabbing as they go through the tattoo healing process. Through the various stages the tattoo goes through it is common that a new tattoo will form a scab. As the tattoo is applied onto the skin an open wound is formed. Your bodies natural reaction is to bleed and release plasma onto the area to assist in the healing process.

Don’t pick the scabs

I can’t stress enough to not pick or pull at the scabs that may form as your tattoo is going through the healing process. Scabs are formed on the skin to protect the wound from bacteria while white blood cells work to kill any germs that may break contact with the wound. Eventually, as with any wound you have gotten through your life the scab will crumble and fall off. The healthy and healed skin underneath the skin should reveal your fresh new tattoo.

Time Expectation: There is no way to assess how long a tattoo with scabbing will take to heal as it depends on the size of the scab that has formed.

When you pick off scabs on a new tattoo you can cause color loss and prevent the tattoo from healing properly.

Worried about infection?

Having a tattoo that is scabbing does not mean that your tattoo is infected.

However, tattoos that are infected generally have scabbing, they also have other tells that will allow you to assess what is going on. If you’re tattoo has any of the following you may want to consider seeking a medical professional:

• Leaking bodily fluids/puss
• Hot to the touch
• Painful to the touch
• Red and inflamed

Once again if this is something you are concerned about I would seek out a medical professional’s council.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Neither is this an acceptable alternative for the opinion of a physician. This is merely my experience of getting tattoos and going through the tattoo healing process explained for informational purposes only… By viewing this website you are agreeing to our Medical Disclaimer.

Taking steps to ensure you have a positive tattoo healing process begins with understanding what works from personal experience.

When you get home there are a few things you should do:

• Wash your hands and ensure there is a clean environment to perform tattoo aftercare
• Take the wrap off of your new tattoo
• Get your antibacterial soap and lather a good amount before applying it directly onto the tattoo. Gently rub the tattoo down and remove bodily fluids from the area. When you rub your tattoo only use your hands – do not use a wash cloth, brush or any other device to clean the area as it will irritate the skin and tattoo.
• Rinse the area with luke warm water. Do not soak the tattoo in water for long periods of time.
• Dry the tattoo by gently patting it with your choice of wash cloth or towel and allow it to air dry until the water has been removed from the area.
• Once the area is completely dry, gather your preferred tattoo ointment and apply a small amount of it as a thin layer onto the tattooed area. Do not apply alot onto the area as this can suffocate the skin and cause pimples to form.
• Remember, in the earliest stages of having a new tattoo the most important thing is to keep the area clean and ensure that it does not come into contact with anything that could potentially cause an infection such as sweaty people, a dirty counter, or a commonly used door knob.

I’ve noticed the best tattoo aftercare occurs when I have all my supplies with me at one time and I know they are all effective in what they do. You may consider exploring and testing the use of tattoo aftercare kits for a high quality aftercare experience.

Check out H2Ocean’s Tattoo Aftercare Kit

Remember, it’s nothing to freak out about if you are experiencing some scabbing however it is something to keep an eye on and take care of.

Good luck and happy healing!

The post What To Do If Notice Your Tattoo Scabbing appeared first on Tattoo Healing Pro.

I’m right there with you, I hate missing a day after a workout, I literally get destroyed by the feelings of guilt and laziness washing over me. Alright, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit…

The tattoo healing process is something that should be taken seriously and with that, entering an environment of dust, sweat, and testosterone may or may not have its place.

I’ll be honest with you…

I’ve normally gone into the gym and lifted the day following my tattoo but let me breakdown and explain the how and the why behind this.

I don’t go to the gym with a new tattoo the day I get it.

There is a simple reason for this, you definitely want to leave the bandaging that your artist applies to the tattoo for a few hours post session. Following this I believe it is a good idea to clean the tattoo thoroughly to remove bodily fluids and keep clean for the remainder of the day.

The tattoo will probably be sore, seeping bodily fluids, and at it’s most vulnerable for infection if not taken care of properly. The day of getting a tattoo is a no go in the gym for me.

Pro Tip: Just go before your session and get it out of the way!

Now, if you’re like me you’re itching to workout after a day. Sometimes I do go workout the next day depending on what you are working out.

If the  tattooed skin will be pulling, moving, or being rubbed against in the process of your workout I would highly reconsider going into the gym until the area has healed properly.

When I got my elbow tattooed it was the most difficult area to heal that I’ve experienced so far. Constantly moving the joint doesn’t give the skin any time to heal. With that being said, I wasn’t doing anything that involved the elbow joint for a couple of weeks after my workout.

However, I will have to go in for a future session to complete the tattoo and retain as much color as possible. With this next session coming around I will take about a week off from the gym to let the tattoo heal as best as possible.

Moving the tattooed area often can result in a poor healing process, lost color, and future touch ups may be required.

If you feel like you can workout, won’t irritate the tattooed area, and will be able to be effective in the gym, pull the trigger and get in the gym.

Just keep in mind that preparation is essential to keep the tattoo clean.

Here is what I do to prepare and keep the tattooed area clean in the gym:

• I wear baggy or open clothing to ensure that my clothing is not rubbing against the area.
• I clean and apply ointment or lotion to the area before going into the gym.
• I lay a towel down where I go and I spray down the equipment before and after use.
• I am consciously aware to not bump into or rub the tattooed area on anyone or anything.

What happens if I get the tattoo dirty or contaminated during my workout?

Simple, I’ll head to the locker rooms and wipe down the tattoo with lukewarm water, make sure its clean, finish up whatever is left in my workout and get home to shower and clean the area with anti-bacterial soap.

Here is my 4 week protocol to working out in the gym with a new tattoo.

Day 1: Getting the Tattoo 

I workout in the morning before the tattoo session, If I dont make it to the gym I don’t workout.

I leave bandaging on the tattoo for a few hours after getting it and once I remove the bandage the tattoo is still seeping bodily fluids. After cleaning the area thoroughly and applying ointment to the tattoo I leave it alone.

Day 2: The Day After Getting the Tattoo

Depending on what you want to workout and if it will impact the skin that was tattooed I may or may not workout. If I am working out legs and have a forearm tattoo I see no issues with getting in the gym.

However, if you have an upper back tattoo and you are going to back squat obviously that is not a good idea and avoiding exercises like that is something I would recommend from my own opinion to get the most out of the tattoo healing process.

Use your judgement, ask yourself if this will impact the tattoos recovery and make your decision from there. It’s important to ensure you are applying proper aftercare ointment before going into the gym.

Day 3-7: The Week of Getting the Tattoo

Same as day 2, you will need to consider if you should workout depending on where you received your tattoo. There is no issue with going into the gym as long as the tattooed area is not being irritated.

The reason it’s important to apply proper aftercare ointment before working (as recommended on day 2) is to ensure that you do not incur any infections on they newly tattooed area. Normally I will apply a thin layer of my preferred tattoo ointment onto my skin BEFORE going to the gym.

It’s also good hygiene and etiquette to spray and wipe down the bench you are using before and after use. It’s not unheard of to spread infections like MRSA (staph) in the gym when you are not following proper hygiene principles and your odds are much higher when you have a new tattoo which is technically an open wound. If you’re gym does not have that equipment pick up a few towels and keep them with you.

Day 7-28: The Second Week Healing the Tattoo

At this point, you should have a pretty good feel for how your tattoo is healing and how you should treat it when you are in the gym.

Towards the end of the four weeks is when I may start working out body parts that come into contact with the new tattoo. If I got an upper back tattoo and have been taking some time off from back squats for the past 4 weeks, the tattoo should be healing very nicely from this point.

I would be sure to have switched over to my preferred tattoo lotion around the end of the first week of having my tattoo and I would regularly be applying the lotion 2-3 times per day and ensuring that the tattoo is taken care of.

Pro Tip: It’s better to be safe than sorry.

If you’re unsure about putting pressure or external objects into contact with your tattoo then don’t. There is only a small window of time you have to heal a tattoo properly and you definitely don’t want to mess it up because you were to eager to get a workout in.

By the end of the month you’re tattoo should be finally healed up, or pretty close to it and your workouts should resume right back to normal! Keep working hard on your health and fitness goals.

Pro Tip: Maximize Your Workouts!

I’m always looking for premium fitness equipment and apparel to not only increase my performance but prevent any potential injury that might happen in the gym. Gymreapers is a phenomenal brand that provides quality fitness equipment and apparel at an affordable cost.

Not only is their apparel awesome but I’ve been using their equipment for quite some time now and it has completely changed my workouts. Gymreapers knee sleeves provide warmth and compression to your joints while doing any sort of leg exercises making your knees feel better. Better yet, with Amazon prime you can get them delivered to your door in 2 days!

It’s a badass brand with great quality products. Check them out here when you get the chance… if you’re interested use the code THP10 and get 10% off your entire order!

Till next time,

The post When Can You Go To The Gym After Getting A Tattoo? appeared first on Tattoo Healing Pro.

This is particularly hard to do in the summer months when we want nothing more than to wear as little as possible. So what do you do when you have a new tattoo and what to care for it, and protect it from the sun?

• Put lotion on your fresh ink.

  No matter what kind of tattoo you have, you must moisturize the area to prevent it from drying out, peeling and cracking.

• Figure out the best kind of lotion there is for your tattoo.

  Look into tattoo specific creams and lotions. However, when you are choosing your lotion, make sure to make note on a very important detail. Make sure the lotion is not perfumed in any way, and non-scented. Trust me, you’ll thank us for this tip. Perfumed lotions can sting a new and fresh tattoo.

• Make sure you know the risks before taking your fresh tattoo outside into direct sunlight.

  If you don’t take proper care of your tattoo, it wont last you very long. Tattoos can fade in a fairly short period of time from direct sunlight (especially fresh ones), but can also raise the likelihood over other serious risks like skin cancer, diseases, infections, bumps and other damage like scarring. Also, it’s worth noting that lighter colours seem to fade a lot quicker, and blues will easily change to a green with their fading.

• It’s gonna fade

  Keep in mind that yes, your tattoo will fade anyways with healing and over time. However despite that fact, you should really take into consideration the other factors regarding direct sun on a fresh tattoo (liked those highlighted above). Also keep in mind that “time” fading will be nowhere near as damaging or significant as sun fading. Also fading over time wont change your colours, only mute them, where as direct sun will cause some colours to change.

• Avoid tanning beds.

  Indoor tanners are just as damaging as the sun, if not more so. The ultraviolet rays are much more concentrated and people tend stay in them a lot longer than they should or that is recommended. When your skin burns, it damages the layers of the epidermis which contain the ink and can cause lumps, scarring, and cause certain areas of the tattoo to become raised and itchy (and remain that way).

• Don’t use tanning lotions.

  Sunscreen is one thing, and is actually HIGHLY recommended for many many reasons, but tanning lotion is not the same thing. Where sunblock protects your skin for the UVA and UVB rays, tanning lotions invite those rays and provide them with the ideal surface to dry out and cook your skin. Not only are these not recommended for fresh tattoos, but they really should be avoided in general during every day life. Cancer is on the rise, and skin cancer is among the top, with the amount of time people spend outdoors, or even intentionally laying out in the sun looking to achieve that dram tan. The best course of action is to avoid it entirely.

Some other things to keep in mind at all times: The more you have direct sun, the more your tattoo will fade. Period, end of discussion.

While the health benefits of staying out of the sun are obviously more important, in regards to your tattoo you would be ruining a very expensive piece of artwork that you have a life long commitment to having and carrying around with you forever. One little sun exposure oversight that a lot of people don’t think of is daily life exposure. You aren’t always hitting the town in short shorts and tank tops, nor laying on the beach in a bathing suit catching the rays. A lot of sun exposure can come at times when you aren’t even thinking about it. Like through the open window in your office, or by doing something most drivers (and passengers) do. Resting your arm in the open car window, exposed to the sun (aka: Driver’s Tan).

The best and safest course of action when taking care of your new tattoo and going through the tattoo healing process, is following your artists after care instructions.

All reputable artists will provide you with a pamphlet with information and instructions on how to have a successful and trouble free healing with your new ink.

Tired of dealing with an itchy tattoo? Stay informed on the essentials of dealing with an itchy tattoo.

The post Your New Tattoo; What You Need To Know About Sun Exposure appeared first on Tattoo Healing Pro.

The healing of your tattoo is the final step to completing your tattoo and therefore it should still be taken seriously. There was a kid I used to work with, and he got a brand new tattoo on his shoulder, he wasn’t well versed when it came to healing tattoos properly so he did not take the necessary measures to make sure his tattoo healed with the highest quality.

One day he spent a few hours in the sun and sunburned his arm along with his tattoo. I remember him sheepishly walking up to me with his bright red skin questioning if this was a bad thing to have happen when you get a new tattoo. I explained to him what happens throughout the process of having a tattoo heal and that any damage to the skin can affect the tattoo. I seem to remember it faded quite a bit when it was fully healed and he covers it up most of the time.

This is a small example of why it is important to know what to do after you get a tattoo. Let’s jump right in with the 8 essential things I believe will lead to you having a great tattoo!

1. Clean the tattoo thoroughly and properly when you first take the bandaging off of the tattoo.

There will be quite a bit of ink and bodily fluids mixed in when you first remove the bandage, it’s vitally important to clean the tattoo with luke warm water after removing the bandage and applying a thin layer of your preferred tattoo ointment.

If this process is not done correctly, you will make a mess of whatever comes into contact with the tattoo because the liquids will spread onto clothing, sheets, etc. You also leave the tattoo susceptible to infection without proper cleaning.

2. Have the proper aftercare products with you.

The aftercare products I make sure to have for the tattoo healing process would include an anti-bacterial soap, a good ointment, and a non-scented lotion.

I’ve found one of the simplest and most effective ways of ensuring your tattoo heals properly is to not only get the proper products but get the proper products from a reputable supplier. Here are a few recommendations that I’ve had success with:

H2Ocean Ultimate Tattoo Care Kit $$$$ By H2Ocean Three part system. Water based products. Noticed faster healing. Buy Now Tattoo Goo Aftercare Kit $$$ By Tattoo Goo Great for small pieces. Does not contain Petroleum or Lanolin Includes sunscreen protectant for tattoo Buy Now H2Ocean Extreme Tattoo Care Kit $$$$ By H2Ocean Really Effective Lotion. Three Part System. Larger Kit (9 Oz.) Buy Now

3. Wear loose clothing that won’t irritate the tattoo

The best offense is a great defense, right? You can ensure your tattoo heals great by not wearing constricting clothing that may rub or irritate the new tattoo. This is especially important when the tattoo starts to peel. When the tattoo begins to peel do not touch or pick at the skin, allow it to peel on its own to retain the most amount of color.

NOTE: By picking or itching at your tattoo you open yourself to having a patchy tattoo that loses color in certain spots that you may have picked at.

4. Clean and moisturize the tattoo as needed

There is no perfect schedule for cleaning your tattoo and keeping it moisturized especially because everyone’s body and lifestyle is different. I generally will clean my tattoo about two times per day. The best time for me to clean the tattoos is immediately upon waking up and showering – the human bed can be pretty gross and contains a lot of germs and bacteria. Cleaning the tattoo upon waking up is probably a pretty sure bet if your really not sure what to do after you get a tattoo.

The next time I go to wash my tattoo depends on what I am doing and what comes up during the day. Some instances that would cause me to wash it again may include:

• If it gets irritated as I go about the day (rubbing the tattooed area against something, have fluids contact it, or any other situation where something that isnt normal touches it)

• If I workout (Gyms are disgusting; wash immediately once you are out of there)

• If I am about to go to bed

Of these three scenarios I’ll generally clean the tattoo after one and that will be good for the day.

Obviously after cleaning it and letting the tattoo dry I apply my preferred ointment or lotion depending on the stage of healing that the tattoo is in.

5. Keep the tattoo out of the sun

Going back to my story about the guy I used to work with. When you are out in the sun for long periods of time you are opening yourself to having a faded tattoo. If you do get pretty bad sun burn on the skin you may also develop an open wound on the tattoo depending on if your skin blisters and how your body reacts in the sun. Educate yourself on sun exposure and new tattoo’s to ensure that you don’t end up with any horror stories!

Just a side note: Being out in the sun for long periods of time regardless of having a tattoo can be harmful over the long term. Take care of your skin, it’s a live organ just like your liver or kidney and skin cancer is on the rise due to careless sun exposure.

6. Don’t soak the tattoo in water

When it comes to water exposure and your new tattoo, you absolutely don’t want to leave the tattoo under water for long periods of time because it will affect the outcome of the tattoo. Taking a bath, swimming in a pool, or floating in a river are all pretty bad ideas when your tattoo is still in the healing process.

It goes without saying, but swimming the ocean or a chlorinated pool with a new tattoo is not a good idea because the salt water and chlorine will not mix and can potentially damage your tattoo.

7. Set up another appointment!

No, your tattoo artist isn’t paying me for this (maybe they should). There are a couple of reasons you may consider booking another appointment. If you liked your artist and like the work, set up another appointment to add on to what you have!

There is almost always something in the back of your mind that you want, sit down with your artist and talk it over with them. Figure out what you can get as your next tattoo and get ready to restart the tattoo healing process after that one.

You may also need to set up another appointment for a touch up or add on for the tattoo you have. Not all healing processes go as we want them. Sometimes, color doesn’t retain like we want it to or there is more we want to add. Cover this before setting the appointment with your artist and have an idea of what you want as an end result.

Knowing these details is all part of the tattoo healing process and knowing what to do after you get a tattoo is important to maintaining the highest quality work possible.

Good luck and happy healing!

The post 7 Top Tips You Have To Do After You Get a Tattoo appeared first on Tattoo Healing Pro.

I enjoy putting out my experiences and processes that I go through for mere informational purposes. I wish someone would have done it for me when I was starting out and I think finding someone with level headed advice would be great to get an opinion from.

But over the past couple of years as I have been exposed to a list of different procedures, methods, ideals, and processes I’ve come to realize that there is no one way.

Everyone wants the one way to get big arms, or the one supplement to make them huge, or the best way to heal their tattoo. All the same question with different desired results attached.

My parents and various individuals around me were against me getting tattoos. I wanted to prove that not only would I get the best tattoos from the best artist, but I would heal them the best as well.

I remember spending easily 3-4 days going through the internet trying to fine the one solution to tattoo aftercare. I wanted to know the tattoo healing process inside and out.

Eventually, I decided to create this blog to share my ideas and personal experiences with those of you who are going through exactly what I went through and I would like to share a couple of truths with you today.

Truth #1

Everyone’s body is different

This goes for literally everything that occurs to our bodies, we heal differently, we react differently, we are all different. Just because one thing works for me does not mean it will work for you. So take everything with a grain of salt and act on what you believe would work best for you.

Truth #2

If you are having trouble healing your tattoo there are Do’s and Don’ts.

Don’t: Come to me, your friends, or the internet to solve a medical issue. This is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered medical advice.

Do: Go to either the shop that you got the tattoo from and if that person is not reliable seek out a medical professional for advice.

Truth #3

There is no one way to the tattoo healing process

Everyone has their own tips, tricks, and advice when it comes to who you should get your tattoo from, how they should tattoo you, and how you should take care of it. It’s up to you to use your judgment, knowledge, and intuition to take care of your own body. Seek out what you believe is right and do that.

In the end, there is no truth, everything is dependent on the situation and person in question. What you should get out of this is there are concrete resource you can.

If you can’t trust/use those sources, use what god gave you to figure out what the next best thing for you to do is.

Good Luck.

The post The 3 Truth’s About Tattoo Aftercare appeared first on Tattoo Healing Pro.