Getting a tattoo is not a one-and-done process. For one, you’ll need to follow your artist’s aftercare instructions to make sure that your tattoo heals properly and avoids getting infected. Additionally, you have to take certain steps to preserve and maintain the quality of your ink, as well as slow it down from fading. Your tattoos are a work of art and are a permanent part of your body, so you have to do all that you can to keep it looking vibrant. With that being said, we’ve listed below 5 ways to take better care of your tattoos in the long run.
1. Always Wear Sunscreen
Everyone knows the importance of sunscreens: it helps prevent sunburn, protects you from the sun’s harmful rays, and keeps your skin from aging quickly. But for those who have tattoos, sunscreen is important if they want their tattoos to stay vibrant and colorful. Light degrades ink, so when your tattoo is constantly exposed to sunlight without protection, it’ll fade faster. Thrift Addict’s review of Tattoo Goo advises that you should use an SPF 30 sunscreen on your tattoos to make your art look nourished and brand new.
2. Take Collagen Supplements
In a nutshell, collagen is an insoluble fibrous protein that’s found all over our bodies, including our hair, nails, muscles, and skin. Everybody knows how collagen is crucial for skin health, as it keeps skin nourished and increases skin elasticity. Apart from making your skin more radiant and youthful, Pretty Me’s review of the popular Frozen Collagen points out how collagen supplements can also keep your cells and bodily systems in tip-top shape. But as we grow older, our body decreases the production of collagen, leading to more brittle nails, weaker hair, and saggy skin. That’s why you should take collagen supplements to take care of your tattoos, as your tattoos will look less vibrant when your skin is in poor health.
3. Avoid Scratchy Fabrics
Cosmopolitan notes that if your tattoo is placed in an area that gets a lot of friction like your upper-inner thighs or arms, it’ll fade faster compared to tattoos placed in other parts of your body. This is because the constant rubbing can cause the ink to degrade. So, try to be mindful of the clothes you wear. For starters, avoid wearing scratchy fabrics, such as wool too often. Furthermore, tight fitting clothes can also cause friction. So as much as you can, only wear loose-fitting clothing on areas that are inked if you want to retain your tattoos’ quality.
4. Don’t Forget to Moisturize
Of course, nothing beats keeping your skin moisturized to take care of your tattoo. In fact, almost all tattoo artists encourage using a moisturizer daily to improve the longevity of your tattoos. There are many moisturizers to choose from when it comes to tattoos, but a gentle and hydrating lotion will do for the most part. If you want to go the extra mile, you can use an occlusive like petroleum jelly as soon as your primary moisturizer is absorbed by your skin. Occlusives are very thick moisturizers that act as a barrier and trap the moisture inside your skin.
5. Retouch Your Tattoos Every Few Years
If you’re dedicated to always having vibrant tattoos, you have to accept that it’ll eventually fade. Your body will eventually change your tattoo on a molecular level, and that’s something that you can’t really fight. Thankfully, you can get it retouched just as easily. After a few years, you can go back to the same artist to liven up your tattoo and rework the lines, colors, and details of your piece.
If you’re looking to get a new tattoo, be sure to check our post ‘25 Cool Summer Tattoo Ideas for Men & Women’ for inspiration and ideas.