Caring for your tattoo during the winter
Photo by Julia Giacomini
There is an active debate as to when is the best time of year to get a tattoo. Many people believe it is winter. During the warm summer months, a tattoo can be damaged by things like days at the beach in extreme sun. In the winter, a tattoo is covered up, and this can make it possible for a tattoo to heal faster. Cold weather also presents a unique set of challenges.
Moisturize
One of the main factors associated with keeping a tattoo vibrant and healthy during the winter months is proper moisturizing. During this time of year, there will be harsh winds that always dry out a person's skin. Properly moisturizing is a quick fix. It's important to apply a lotion or ointment on it a minimum of three times a day, for at least the first two weeks. You should wear clothing that makes it possible to expose their tattoos for easy access when necessary. Moisturizing should be done at regular times during the day. Moisturizing will also prevent itching.
Photo by Curology
Clean
As a tattoo heals, it is important to wash it and then pat dry. Cleaning the tattoo will also cut down on the risk of it becoming infected. It is as important to do this in the winter as during the summer. When some people don't have to deal with regular sweating, they may not be as aware of cleaning. It's important to realize a lack of sweating doesn't mean a tattoo needs to be cleaned less.
Clothing
The cold winter month provides a challenging situation for a new tattoo. Layers and coverage make sense when dealing with the cold air. Certain clothing items can be challenging for a tattoo. Pants can be a problem for tattoos on a person's hip or leg, as the fabric can rub against it. Foot tattoos can take longer to heal because of boots and socks. Wearing loose clothing is highly recommended until the tattoo heals.
Harmful Scents and Chemicals
When a person's tattoo is in the healing process, it is sensitive. It is vulnerable to irritation and infection. If someone wants to take a nice warm bubble bath during the winter, they may want to wait for their tattoo to heal completely. There are even natural products that can damage a person's tattoos. Soaking a tattoo that is healing is not something recommended. Once the tattoo has healed, bubble baths and more can be enjoyed.
Before you put a permanent motif on your skin, there are a few important things that you should definitely think about.
Water
A new tattoo should not be submerged in water for a prolonged time. People may think swimming isn't an issue in the winter. In many places, this is when indoor pools experience quite a few visitors. Should someone go on vacation during the winter, they should understand pools and hot tubs are not good for their new tattoo. It is common during winter for people to take longer, warm showers. Some may even enjoy a nice hot bath. This is okay, but a person must be aware of the healing stage of their tattoo.
Winter Sunscreen
Many people are surprised to discover they could damage their tattoos by direct exposure to the sun during the cold winter months. The sun can do damage to a tattoo any time of the year. It is recommended that if someone is going to expose their tattoos directly to the sun in the winter, to apply sunscreen. This should be done even if it is cold outside. Many tattoo aficionados are active in winter sports, including snowboarding, skiing, and more. Any visible tattoos can quickly become burned. During the winter, the sun's rays will bounce off of white snow. This causes tattoos on the neck and face to quickly fade.
The challenges associated with getting a tattoo in the winter are no worse than getting one during the summer. The different seasons just provide a different set of challenges. No matter what season, it is always important to keep a new tattoo clean. It should also be exposed to fresh air as much as possible. Knowing the latest local weather forecast is always helpful and can help plan what to wear with a new tattoo.
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