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From prep to healing. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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If you’re not among the one in three Americans with a tattoo, chances are you’ve at least considered it. And if you’ve been waiting for the right moment, spring could be the perfect time. Your skin is recovering from months of dryness, sun exposure is still minimal, and you'll have a full season to heal before summer puts your body on display.
When you decide to go for it, proper preparation and thoughtful aftercare don’t just help your skin heal, they protect your artwork, keeping it looking exactly as you imagined.
Whether you’re gearing up for your first piece or adding to your collection, here’s a refresher on our year-round tattoo care guide.
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Step 0: Before the Tat
It’s generally recommended that all exfoliation be suspended about 10–14 days before the tattoo appointment, until further notice (we will provide further notice). Skin too raw and new is tough to tattoo. Don’t even worry about shaving: Your tattoo artist will take care of that on the table. All you need to do is drink water, get plenty of sleep, and moisturize your body. Not only will this make healing easier, but it’ll make for a better canvas, too. |
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Step 1: Immediately post-tat
Congratulations! We love your mother’s name/kid’s initials/shoulder Mandala/kanji character for “friendship”—it looks great. Let’s keep it that way. Your artist probably wrapped your tattoo, and you’ll want to leave that on for the hours following the appointment, taking it off only when you’re getting in the shower. Then you can wash it with only the gentlest, mildest soap. Some people recommend baby shampoo, or
body washes with sensitive skin-friendly formulas.
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Step 2: 2-3 days post-tat
A tattoo takes around four to six weeks to fully heal, by which we mean the skin itself. This is your body’s natural regenerative process, and you can help it along—and give yourself some relief—by moisturizing the area up to three times a day. “One of the biggest mistakes you can make after getting a tattoo is to let it dry up,” a dermatologist told Allure. Dry skin can flake and crack, which can change the outcome of the tattoo, or invite infection.
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Step 3: 3-4 weeks post-tat
How are things looking? The answer probably varies depending on who you are and what body art you got, but it generally takes about three weeks for a tattoo to heal, and you may notice some residual dead skin or scabbing. Perhaps you’re just tired of not exfoliating. Well, there’s good news and bad news.
The good news: It’s time to exfoliate. The lightest of active ingredients can be reintegrated into your routine, and can help the skin surrounding the tattoo turn over. Opt for urea—an exfoliating ingredient that helps shed dead skin cells very gently, while also imparting moisture.
The bad news: If you’re a Certified Buffer® , you may need to wait a little longer before you go to town. As one dermatologist put it recently to New York magazine, it’s best to avoid harsh physical scrubs and acids for the first three months of the healing process. Tattoo ink is placed in the deep dermis layer, and while topical products like exfoliants work on the outer epidermal layer, it’s wise to exercise caution for a little while longer. |
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Step 4: 3-4 months post-tat
You’ve waited long enough. Now that your tattoo has fully healed, you may return to scrubbing or treating with abandon. Regular exfoliation can actually improve the look of tattoos over time, by removing the dead skin that collects over top and dulls them.
Choose your adventure: The Buffing Bar’s fine microcrystals, Smoothing Solution’s AHA cocktail, or Software Update’s resurfacing retinol can each help to clear the way—leaving hydrated, moisturized skin in their wake.
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Step Five: 1 year post-tat
But it’s dedicated to you!/your grandchild!/Buddhist idealism!/friendship!” She’ll come around.
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