Tattoo Topics-Post Care and Camouflage
Getting a tattoo often seems like such a great idea at the outset, but it’s reported that upwards of 20% of the people who get one (or more) regret it later on in life. Therefore, perhaps it’s not always such a bright idea. However, even if you succumb to the idea, whether it be you were a young man or woman in love and had the name of your future-ex placed on your arm, or a crazy night in Vegas that perhaps you don’t even remember, or just simply have changed your mind directly after the fact or years on down the road…there is hope!
Tattoo removal is fairly young in the medical profession, particularly laser tattoo removal. The Q Switch Laser which is deemed best for the procedure wasn’t even around until about 1990! Before laser removal, unwanted tattoos were removed by somewhat barbaric means such as dermabrasion (sanding the skin off to the deeper dermal layer), salabrasion (severe salt scrub), cryosurgery and even excision. And even more disturbing prior to those were the injection of pigeon excrement to remove them.
Today most people opt for laser removal or simply hide them on special occasions with camouflage and/or para-medical corrective makeup from companies such as Dermablend, CoverBlend and Cover FX.
If on the other hand you’re interested in getting a tattoo, you’ll certainly need to take precautions in terms of aftercare. If your tattoo artist covered it with a bandage keep it on for at least two hours before removing it…or as directed. However, if it is covered with plastic, it should be removed immediately. Next wash your new tattoo with antimicrobial soap and gently remove any blood, ointment or plasma. Then pat dry and apply a thin layer of new ointment, or as directed. It is generally agreed that you should not use Neosporin (due to a possible allergy), but A & D Ointment as well as Bacitracin are usually acceptable. Afterwards, continue to keep it clean and moisturized with fragrance-free lotion. Ask your artist for more information on general post-care and be sure to ask about post-care in terms of scabbing.
Tattoo removal is fairly young in the medical profession, particularly laser tattoo removal. The Q Switch Laser which is deemed best for the procedure wasn’t even around until about 1990! Before laser removal, unwanted tattoos were removed by somewhat barbaric means such as dermabrasion (sanding the skin off to the deeper dermal layer), salabrasion (severe salt scrub), cryosurgery and even excision. And even more disturbing prior to those were the injection of pigeon excrement to remove them.
Today most people opt for laser removal or simply hide them on special occasions with camouflage and/or para-medical corrective makeup from companies such as Dermablend, CoverBlend and Cover FX.
If on the other hand you’re interested in getting a tattoo, you’ll certainly need to take precautions in terms of aftercare. If your tattoo artist covered it with a bandage keep it on for at least two hours before removing it…or as directed. However, if it is covered with plastic, it should be removed immediately. Next wash your new tattoo with antimicrobial soap and gently remove any blood, ointment or plasma. Then pat dry and apply a thin layer of new ointment, or as directed. It is generally agreed that you should not use Neosporin (due to a possible allergy), but A & D Ointment as well as Bacitracin are usually acceptable. Afterwards, continue to keep it clean and moisturized with fragrance-free lotion. Ask your artist for more information on general post-care and be sure to ask about post-care in terms of scabbing.
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