In honor of International Women’s Day, NYC based tattoo artist Monikka Velvet, and owner of the queer, female owned, High Hopes Tattoo shop, talked tattoo aftercare with 360 Magazine. She offered some of the best tips on healing tattoos that she’s learned throughout her successful tattooing career. While there is controversy in the tattooing world about the best aftercare for a new piece– suggestions ranging from using water, to petroleum jelly, to special creams and ointments– Monikka provides expertise on the subject. When it comes to caring for a new tat, it’s important to take precaution as to best handle your new, permanent ink.
Do’s:
Keeping a new tattoo sanitary is of the utmost importance. Monikka suggests that clients always wash your hands before touching your tattoo. This way, you aren’t transferring bacteria and germs that your hands have come into contact with onto the area in which you’ve been tattooed. Since tattoos can be easily infected, Monikka also suggests cleaning your tattoo twice a day with antibacterial liquid soap. She continues, explaining that clients should apply a thin layer of Mad Rabbit tattoo after care gel twice a day after cleaning.
Don’ts:
After getting a tattoo, making sure it’s clean is just as important as letting to breathe. Avoiding tight clothing and vigorous exercise (such as going to the gym) allows for your tattoo to heal comfortably. Monikka cautions to not over-apply aftercare on a healing tattoo. This can clog your pores and slow down the healing process. There is a fine balance between caring for your new tattoo, and allowing for your new tattoo to just be. Do not use bar soap when cleaning, as bacteria sits on the surface of bar soap and can clog skin, too. Always use liquid soap.
Further, make sure not to pick or scratch at your fresh tattoo while it’s healing. While it’s likely that your skin will feel itchy and irritated, it’s important to not scratch as it could lead to scabbing and damaging your new ink. Monikka continues, adding some of the lesser known “don’ts” of tattoo aftercare. When you have new ink, don’t submerge your tattoo in water or expose it to direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade the ink away, and since your tattooed skin is more vulnerable, it can lead to skin burning and sun damage. Since the tattooed area of your body is essentially an open wound, it’s important to keep it out of water as well, which can contain chemicals, chlorine, and other irritants. Tattoos need to be able to breathe and stay air-dry to heal correctly.
