The Great Tattoo Aftercare Debate: What is the best method?

Introduction

Tattoos are a powerful form of self-expression and art. But once you've taken the plunge and adorned your skin with a beautiful piece of ink, there's one crucial element that should never be overlooked: aftercare.

The tattoo industry is no stranger to differing opinions about how best to heal a tattoo. Should you keep it dry, bathe in hot water, wrap in gauze or is wet healing the way to go? Thousands of different tattoo artists in the industry have thousands of different opinions about which is best and we all know better than everyone else, so just do as we say. In this blog post, i'll explore the various opinions within the industry and present a well-reasoned argument for why, after years of reviewing our healing results "wet healing" is the best option for tattoo aftercare. For info on what film is used to 'wet heal' a tattoo click here>>> ONXY Black Tattoo Guard 20cm x 1000cm | Xyon UK Tattoo

The Range of Opinions in the Tattoo Industry

Dry Healing

The traditional method of dry healing involves keeping your new tattoo completely dry for the first few days. This has been the industry standard for a long time and some tattoo artists and enthusiasts advocate for this approach still to this day. They believe that allowing the tattoo to scab and heal on its own without any additional moisture or products can lead to less chance of infection and better colour retention. I've heard so many top artists agree with this and their reasoning is, 'Your body is designed to heal itself', which seems sensible.

While this method has been successful for many people, it does have its downsides. The main one, namely... scabbing.

Now, scabs are a natural part of your body's healing process, so there's nothing wrong with it. We've all had them, they're perfectly natural and, in any normal daily situation I have no issue with them at all... but... tattoos aren't your normal daily situation. If you have a scab on your knee and it's kinda half hanging off, ready to come away and you give it a little helping hand by giving it a good ol' pick, the worst case scenario is a bit of pink skin underneath, so no big deal. What's the worst case scenario if you pick a scab off your tattoo? Only the complete removal of all of the ink under that scab and potential scarring. No big deal. Oh... wait... that IS a big deal. It's a very big deal. You've likely paid good money for that tattoo and every scab you pick is basically pouring your money down the toilet. I've seen countless tattoos over the last 14 years picked to pieces by hundreds of clients from hundreds of tattoo artists. The temptation is too much for too many, picking scabs is, to some people, awesomeness. There's also the fact that scabs get knocked off, scraped by accident and rubbed by clothing, etc. so even the best clients can lose colour unnecessarily. So, that's a pretty huge downside. Now, i'm not against this healing option, but when i'm advising my clients, i'm offering the method with the least pitfalls.

Moisturising

Many tattoo artists recommend using a specialized tattoo aftercare ointment or lotion to keep the tattoo moisturized during the healing process. The belief is that keeping the tattoo hydrated prevents excessive scabbing and promotes a faster, more comfortable healing experience. Moisturising aftercare methods are commonly used and trusted but have some limitations. Now... this can be true and effective in some cases, but i'm yet to see a moisturiser good enough (even the expensive branded tattoo industry ones) that can stop a scab forming on it's own. So, moisturisers have many benefits, but they're not a catch-all solution. Moisturiser is something to be used as part of an overall aftercare regimen, not the main factor.

Now, the downsides:

1. People tend to ONLY moisturise.

I've had clients ignore my aftercare, come into my shop a few days later with a slick, gleaming, shiny tattoo, coated in half a gallon of moisturiser, declaring, 'I'm keeping on top of it, Mate.' They think whacking a dollop of moisturiser on there is enough to keep the tattoo in good shape, which is crazy. Cleaning is the most important part of aftercare, unfortunately this is too often substituted with moisturiser application.

2. Moisturiser is easily contaminated.

One thing we've all learned since early 2020 is most people don't know shit about keeping things clean... like, really clean. Cross contamination is very easy. If you did the petri dish experiment in school, you know germs are everywhere and spread easier than Utterly Butterly. How many people did we see during covid wearing the same mask day in day out, not realising that every time they touched it they coated it with an ever-increasing glob of bacteria, but thought they were 'being clean and protecting themselves'. The same thing is true of moisturiser. The second an unsuspecting client opens a tub, smooshes a finger into the cream and spreads it on their skin... that tub of cream now has germs in it. I'm more of a fan of spray moisturisers that can offer more protection against cross contamination. Admission: In my first year of tattooing, I had a client who 2 days after his tattoo came back to me with an infection... a very bad infection; his skin looked like porridge. I sent him straight to his doctors and he was taken care of. Over the next few months he paid me several visits to keep me up to date. Firstly to show me the tattoo healed perfectly. Zero issues after healing. Secondly, to explain what had happened. After a conversation with doctors trying to identify where his infection had come from he let them know he had looked after his tattoo and applied moisturiser daily. When he was questioned on which moisturiser, his wife let him know the one he'd said he had used on his tattoo was out of date. Well out of date. By two years. I told him he may as well have smeared dog sh*t on his arm, it will have been that riddled with germs. So, ever since that day, i've always been overly skeptical of moisturiser use and how seriously people take cross-infection.

Wet Healing

Wet healing, also known as the "wrapping method," is a relatively new approach that has gained popularity in recent years. It involves applying a sterile, waterproof, and breathable bandage over the fresh tattoo. This bandage traps moisture, reduces friction, and prevents exposure to airborne contaminants. Advocates of wet healing argue that this method promotes faster healing, minimizes scabbing, and preserves the vibrancy of the tattoo's colours. Some artists also use cling film (Saran Wrap for our US friends) as their method of healing, which allows for regular changing and cleaning of the tattoo.

The Argument for Wet Healing

While the debate between dry healing, moisturizing, and wet healing continues, there are strong reasons why the wet healing method, in my opinion, may be the best option for tattoo aftercare:

Protection from Contaminants:

Wet healing provides an airtight barrier that shields the tattoo from airborne contaminants, preventing dirt, bacteria, and other particles from entering the wound. This reduces the risk of infection, a common concern in tattoo aftercare. I don't mean any offence by this, so please don't take any, but, as a rule, most tattoo clients are not great at looking after tattoos. They aren't trained in minimising infection, so, understandably, can act in a way that risks germs getting onto their fresh tattoo.

In business, this is referred to as 'unconscious incompetence', meaning, people aren't aware that they're doing anything wrong, they just want to get on with their lives and enjoy the art, they don't understand the intricacies of preventing infection. Life can make it hard sometimes when you have a job that makes following an artist 12 step guide to a great tattoo heal difficult. So, the ability to put on a piece of adhesive plastic that takes away all of the fuss is priceless.

Faster Healing:

By maintaining a moist environment, wet healing supports rapid skin cell regeneration and minimizes scabbing. Well, not exactly minimises... in most cases, eradicates. If the skin is moist, a scab isn't going to form 99.9% of the time. Scabs can trap pigment and result in color loss or uneven healing, so avoiding them is great. So, as a result of no scabbing and using wet healing, your tattoo heals more evenly and quickly.

Minimal Pain and Discomfort:

Wet healing can reduce itching and discomfort associated with the healing process. The bandage acts as a second skin, protecting the tattoo from irritation and friction against clothing. In all of my career the amount of clients who have said, 'I think my tattoo is infected', when it's gotten red and sore is a good sized number. It's not a regular thing, but certainly not uncommon. When I've questioned further it turns out they've had their tattoo unwrapped and clothing rubbing away at it throughout the day. It's effectively an open wound, so that's going to cause serious issues and make the tattoo incredibly sore, which is what the inflammation issue 99% of clients are suffering is caused by. The application of film gets rid of this as an issue, so... another tick in the plus box for wet healing.

Vibrant Colours:

Keeping the tattoo moisturized with wet healing helps preserve the intensity and vibrancy of the ink. Colours tend to heal brighter and sharper when compared to traditional dry healing methods that can lead to cracking and scabbing of the skin. This is something i've found to be true over the last 2 years i've been using this method, heals are better so colour retention benefits greatly.

Simplicity and Convenience:

We've all had those artists who have a 47 step programme for you to follow for the perfect heal. Keep it wrapped for 2 hours and 47 minutes, remove wrapping and wash in the hottest water possible until you're screaming in pain, then re-wrap and buff with T-Cut twice a day... or whatever. There are lots of opinions, as i've said.

Wet healing simplifies the aftercare process. You don't need to worry about applying various lotions or ointments multiple times a day, there's no need to wash at a sink 3 times daily, coat yourself with goose fat, roast and baste yourself, or whatever else some artists suggest. You basically leave the bandage on. The bandage takes care of moisture control, making it easier for clients to follow aftercare instructions. That's it. It's very simple process that takes all of the potential issues out of your aftercare.

Now, i'm not going to suggest there are no downsides to aftercare film. It can fill up underneath with blood and ink occasionally, it can peel off occasionally too, so isn't perfect. Frankly, your artist should be giving you advice on the best way to deal with these issues if they arrive (I usually offer to re-wrap the next day or offer more film to take home to wrap themselves). All i'm saying is, this, to me is the easiest, most effective method for the client who just wants minimal fuss around their tattoo healing process.

Conclusion

The debate surrounding tattoo aftercare is ongoing, with various methods having their proponents. However, as the tattoo industry evolves, so too do the best practices for taking care of your ink. Wet healing, with its focus on providing a protective barrier, faster healing, and superior colour retention, offers a compelling argument for being the best option for tattoo aftercare. We would recommend the use of Onyx Black Tattoo Guard aftercare film, which can be found here> ONXY Black Tattoo Guard 20cm x 1000cm | Xyon UK Tattoo

Ultimately, the choice of aftercare method may depend on your personal preferences and the recommendations of your tattoo artist. It's crucial to discuss your options with your tattoo artist, as they are experienced in providing guidance that best suits your unique tattoo. Tattoo aftercare is a critical part of the tattoo process, and choosing the right method ensures your body art remains beautiful and vibrant for years to come.

Written by Alex Williamson,

Owner of The Lost Tower Tattoo To contact Alex click the contact button.

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