Preventing Tattoo Fade Using After Inked
January 27, 2009
by Tattoo-People U.K
A tattoo is a permanent marking or design made by inserting pigments into the skin to for decorative or other purposes. The term Tattoo originates from the Tahitian word “tatu” meaning, “to mark something”.
The first tattoos are thought to date back to the year 12000 BC. Depending on the culture and its place on the time line, they have been used for spiritual and religious rites as well as marks of fertility, decorations for bravery, amulets, protection, luck, and marks for convicts, or a signified membership in a clan or society.
During the 1700s, Captain Cook made a number of trips to the South Pacific. The people of London were anxious to see the art and artifacts he brought. Upon his return, he showed a heavily tattooed Polynesian named Omai who became a phenomenon in London. Following this, tattooing became a fad and the upper class started getting small tattoos in discreet places. Eventually, the modern day tattoo gun evolved and allowed just about anyone to get a reasonably priced tattoo. Since then, the average person has been able to easily get a tattoo for a reasonable price and as a result, the upper classes ultimately turned away from it.
Today, tattooing is making a strong comeback. People from all social classes seek the best tattoo artists. Skilled artists have emerged and tattoo pigments have evolved as well as advancements in the equipments used for tattooing.
Tattooing injects pigment (ink) into the dermis layer of the skin. The dermis is the layer of connective tissue beneath the epidermis. During the procedure, a needle that is attached to a machine with tubes containing dye penetrates the skin repeatedly. In this way, the needle inserts tiny ink droplets. This process causes a small amount of bleeding and can be painful for the recipient. After the initial injection of the pigment, it is dispersed down through the epidermis and upper dermis. Since the pigment is considered as a foreign body, this causes activation of the body’s immune system. The phagocytes or “cell eaters” are white cells that engulf the foreign particles that enter the body.
As healing proceeds, the damaged epidermis layer peels away, thus removing the pigment on the surface. In the deeper layers of the skin, granulation tissue forms (soft, pink, fleshy projections that form during the healing process in a wound). This is then subsequently converted to connective tissue by collagen growth (collagen gives skin its strength and durability), mending the upper dermis.
The pigment then remains trapped within fibroblasts, ultimately concentrating in a layer just below the dermis/epidermis boundary. Tattoos appear to be in the outer layer of the skin or the dermis, but the pigment is actually deposited on the second layer of the skin, which is the dermis. The presence of the ink there is stable but still, in the long term, the pigment has a tendency to move deeper into the dermis. This is the reason for eventual fading and detail loss of old tattoos.
Tattoos are permanent marks on your skin, which are subject to a certain amount of fading over time. and can only be removed by surgery or laser. The process is perfectly safe when done by professionals but it is still considered a minor operation.
After the tattooing procedure, the tattoo must be covered with bandage for a minimum of two hours but no longer than 12 hours. The bandage will keep the air borne bacteria from getting into the wound since this is very susceptible to bacteria and infection. Plastic wrap is not an appropriate covering material since this will suffocate the wound area. Once the bandage is removed, the tattoo is never rebandaged. All wounds need to breathe if they are to heal properly.
Using clean hands, carefully remove the bandage. Ensure that this is done gently and aseptically. Cleanliness is an important part of tattoo aftercare.
Do not let other people touch the new tattoo as this may introduce infection [spain]to the site|into the skin around your tattoo[/spin].
The area is then washed with water and antibacterial soap to remove blood and plasma. This should be mild and free of any harsh fragrances and oils. If the tattoo feels slippery and slimy, this could be attributed to oozing plasma. Remove as much of it as possible since plasma dries on the skin surface and creates scabs.
The area is then air-dried. If using a clean towel, gently pat the wound and do not rub.
Alcohols and peroxides should not be used to clean the tattoo area since they cause dryness.
Apply an antibiotic ointment or cream such as Bacitracin, or specialized tattoo lotions or creams three times a day during the first week. Only a thin coat is applied and spread thinly on the tattoo. Apply just enough cream or lotion to keep the moisture in and to keep the wound from scabbing. Too much ointment may suffocate the tattoo so dab off the excess with a clean soft cloth or a paper towel.
Wear clean and dry clothes to cover the tattoo.
Itchiness during the healing period is normal but it is important not to scratch or rub the area. If the scab comes off too soon, this might leave a blank spot in the design.
Tattooes usually heal within a week or so, but complete healing will take up to 45 days, which is the amount of time it takes for skin to regenerate itself after being damaged.
After a week, a specialized tattoo aftercare lotion or cream like After Inked can be used in place of the antibiotic cream.
One of the key things to ensure a long-lasting color and detail for tattoos is to keep it moisturized. The moisture will prevent the tattoo from developing a scab, which can rob it of color.
The cream or lotion is applied continuously for at least three weeks to avoid scabbing from drying up and cracking.
Avoid swimming for the first two weeks to avoid infection from exposure to chlorine and bacteria. Hot baths and soaks also should be avoided until tattoo is fully healed since this may cause over-hydration of the skin and may wash out the tattoo ink. Short showers are best at this stage.
Avoid exposure to the sun and tanning salons for at least 4 weeks since this can initiate a reaction.
After the tattoo is healed, sunscreen is to be applied daily. Wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 15 will significantly extend the life of a tattoo and will keep the colors longer. Overexposure to the sun can fade the pigments or dyes used in the tattoos.
The amount of ink that remains in the dermal area will essentially influence the final look of the tattoo.
What is the best ointment to use on a new tattoo?
Petroleum jelly is inexpensive and readily available but it has been found that petroleum-based products have no healing agents. Petroleum jelly or petrolatum was originally promoted as a topical ointment for its healing properties. Today, its medicinal value as a “cure-all” has since been limited. It should not be used on wounds fresh burns of any kind, including sunburn. These products traps heat inside, thus worsening burns and fresh wounds. Furthermore, petroleum jelly tends to drain the color from a tattoo.
Neosporin is an antibiotic ointment that has also been used as aftercare. It was good for fighting infection and does not deplete the colors like petroleum-based products. However, several people had been found to develop allergic reactions to Neosporin. This resulted in the appearance of tiny red bumps on the skin. When the bumps disappear, what is left is a “spotted tattoo”.
Bacitracin is a medication used to prevent skin infections in minor skin injuries (e.g., scrapes, cuts, small burns). It is an antibiotic that works by killing the bacteria on the skin that can cause infection. A thin layer is applied on the skin to prevent infection. Bacitracin causes fewer allergic reactions than Neosporin. However, it is not recommended for use on large areas of the skin. Also, the prolonged use of antibiotic containing preparations may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, particularly fungi.
Currently, specialty creams and lotions may be used to further support healing of the tattoo. These are formulas designed exclusively for tattoo aftercare, are non-petroleum based, fragrance-free, and safe to use on all skin types.
The use of tattoo aftercare products has its benefits over traditional OTC or over the counter antibacterials since they do not contain unsafe ingredients. Since they are made from natural ingredients, they are safe to apply even on large areas of the skin. They aid in strengthening skin, minimise allergic reactions, and provide natural moisture.
After Inked provides superior skin hydration with minimal scabbing, resulting in tattoos that heal better and colors that last much longer.
After Inked is packaged in a unique airless dispensing system. Airless dispensers are becoming more popular since they help protect a product by keeping air out of the container. They have 100% proven mechanical reliability and works well with a wide array of viscosities. The products used are usually gels, emulsions, lotions, and the like.
Airless dispensers also deliver a more measured amount and greatly increase the product shelf life. Products contained in an airless container need very little preservation. Air and metal do not react with the product to cause spoilage. More importantly, airless dispensing mechanism prevents air and impurities from affecting the contents.
Bacteria often form when skin care products are exposed to air or are introduced when the user touches the product during application. Humidity and heat speed up bacterial growth in environments such bathrooms where most skin care products are stored. Because After Inked is contained in an airless dispenser, repeated contact is eliminated when the product is applied. Eliminating bacterial transfer during application and reducing exposure to air significantly improves shelf life, effectiveness, and product stability.
After Inked is paraben-free. What are parabens? Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives for medicines and cosmetics. These are used primarily for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties. However, parabens can cause skin irritation, contact dermatitis, and reportedly causes certain cancers. Further research is necessary to determine the safety of parabens and many natural personal care manufacturers and products have stopped using parabens and are seeking alternatives.
Grape Seed Oil is the key ingredient of After Inked. It is a vegetable oil pressed from the seeds of various varieties of grapes. Grape seed oil is a preferred cosmetic ingredient to use in all products for damaged and stressed tissues. It has been known to possess regenerative and restructuring qualities that provide better skin moisturisation. It can facilitate retention of the normal structure of the skin’s epithelium. Grape seed oil contains more linoleic acid (proven anti-inflammatory and moisture retention properties) than many other carrier oils. When used on tattoos, it aids in the healing by regenerating the damaged blood vessels, strengthening skin tissue, and preserving the skin’s natural moisture.
A tattoo is like an investment. Proper care should be provided from the start and even if the tattoo looks healed, it must not be neglected.
With the passing of time, tattoos do fade to some extent. This cannot be totally stopped but it can be kept to a minimum. In choosing the right cream or lotion for tattoo care, consider the substances included in the formulation. Look out for products that do not list the ingredients on the package since they may contain substances that may cause damage to the tattoo and the surrounding skin.
The purpose of tattoo aftercare is to make the tattoo last longer and preserve its original appearance and minimise the need for touch-ups. Whether you just got fresh ink or you have an existing tattoo that you want to maintain, After Inked provides both immediate care and long-term maintenance.
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