Age gracefully with your ink
What to do to keep that tattoo good over time
So, you’re thinking of getting a tattoo but you’re concerned because so many people have told you it won’t look good when you get older?
This might not be entirely true, provided you don’t get an amateur tattoo that makes you look like a prison escapee; there are ways to ensure your ink stays in tiptop shape over time.
According to tattoo artist Ethel Laka, a number of factors about your skin and the tattooist you choose can determine if your tattoo will deteriorate over the years. Here are some tips to save you from expensive removal treatment:
Moisturise the scabs
Laka says the skin is often overworked during the process of inking, resulting in scabs. She advises against picking off the scabs.
Instead, apply a moisturiser and choose one which allows the skin to breathe.
“Mild antiseptic creams like Savlon work really well but you should definitely stay away from things like Vaseline or Zambuk.
“Things like that are not endorsed for tattoo healing. They’re very occlusive - that means the skin doesn’t breathe.
“Things like that are not endorsed for tattoo healing. They’re very occlusive – that means the skin doesn’t breathe,” Laka says.
You might want to avoid the beach ...
Thinking of showing off your fresh tattoo at the beach? Think again.
Sea water and sun are not good for new tattoos. “It’s called saline solution.
“We actually use that to tattoo out the pigment. It draws the pigment out of the skin.”
Laka cautions that you should only expose your tattoo to the sun after two to three weeks when it has healed.
No touching
If you invite others to admire your new tattoo, you will need to set some boundaries.
Laka says hands are exposed to many germs which you don’t want near your newly inked tattoo because, technically, it is an open wound.
“You only touch it when you have clean, washed hands.”
Say no to plastic wrap
To tattoo amateurs, the protective sheet used to cover new art might appear to be regular plastic wrap you buy in supermarkets but it isn’t.
It is a medical-grade plaster, usually used for burn victims. Some artists do use storebought plastic wrap, which Laka warns against.
“It’s bad – it promotes sweat. You don’t want sweat because it’s an open wound and sweat [might contain] bacteria.”
Location, location
Areas of the body where the skin creases, such as the bend in your elbow, should be avoided at all costs when you are thinking about where to place your ink. Areas where you have stretch marks are also out of the question.
However, there are some spots on your body that are good when it comes to concerns about ageing.
“You can get one on the lower arm, the leg – on the sides – is a good area, the back is brilliant and the shoulder blade is fine,” Laka says.