Tattoo Skin Care
The proportion of people who have one or more tattoo in Perth is increasing every year. Getting a tattoo puts a lot of stress on your skin, so aftercare is essential. New brands and product formats are emerging in this interesting market field.
Italy is the world leader in tattoos: almost half of Italians have at least one tattoo. The rates are also very high in Sweden (47%) and the United States (46%).
In Switzerland, Austria and Germany, 65% of tattooed people have more than one tattoo. In the US, it’s even 70%.
Post-tattoo care: short and long term.
During the tattooing process, the skin is stabbed with fine needles that damage the epidermis and also the dermis. Pigments are stored deep in the dermis. This process destroys the skin’s natural defense barrier, the immune system kicks in, and the wound healing process begins.
A new tattoo is like a wound. Skin scabs protect broken skin; gentle care and cleaning are extremely important.
After a few hours, the tattoo should be cleaned with warm soapy water. It is recommended to use some type of moisturizing and calming cream to support the skin’s natural healing process.
After 24 hours, the re-epithelialization process begins. The skin tries to repair the damaged barrier as soon as possible. This can be supported by keeping the wound hydrated.
To fill the perforations in the dermis, fibroblasts are stimulated to immigrate into the wound and form new connective tissue. A temporary wound closure is created by tissue that is still very sensitive. In the final phase of wound healing, so-called remodeling, the formation of new collagen and elastin is stimulated to rebuild a strong network of collagen fibers.
Depending on the size of the lesion, this remodeling phase can last from several weeks to months. Moisturizing and gentle routine cleansing are key parts of the post-tattoo action plan.
After approximately 24 days the epidermis is restored. It is recommended to use fragrance-free creams that contain panthenol to promote the reconstruction of the skin barrier. Even during the reconstruction phase, it is recommended to continue strengthening the skin.
Sun protection is essential
The sun is your tattoo’s greatest enemy – UVA, UVB and IR rays will damage healthy skin and wreak havoc on tattooed skin. Tattoos must be protected with at least SPF 30 at any time. This will go a long way in keeping the tattoo vibrant for many years to come.
New brands and formats
The rise of consumers using tattoos has led to more and more brands that specifically target tattooed skin to emerge in the personal care market.
Popular product formats include:
• Gentle cleansing gels for immediate care
• Daily moisturizers to protect the skin and keep it hydrated
• Repairing balms with soothing and healing ingredients to promote skin regeneration.
• Special definition serums to ensure color retention and keep tattoos looking fresh
• Sunscreen creams and sticks to protect the tattoo from fading.