Take Care of Your New Tattoo This Winter

At our Toronto Tattoo Shop, there’s a never-ending debate over the best time of year to get a new tattoo. The warm summer months mean sweating, the sun, and swimming- all things that pose a risk to your new ink. The cool winter months also have a set of problems. Here are some tips to take care of your tattoo if you decide to get inked this winter.

Cool Air

Cool air is nature gif to tattoos. It not only prevents sweating but it also promotes healing. The problem with it cool air though is that all people want to do in the winter is escape it. Piling on layers and running from heated building to heated building only suffocates your new ink. So if you’re getting a new tattoo this winter make sure to expose it to fresh air for at least two hours a day (not including when you’re sleeping).

Moisturizing

            Getting a tattoo will irritate your skin so one of the best ways to keep your new ink healthy is to moisturize it with ointment or lotion. It’s understandable that you’d want to wear long sleeves and pants (not to mention the necessary socks, boots, jackets, scarves, hats etc.). Make sure you wear clothing that provides easy access to your tattoo so that you can moisturize it at least three times a day.

Clean

Everyone knows you have to wash and pat dry a tattoo as it heals. It helps keeps the area from becoming infected. This theoretically is as easy to do in winter as it is in summer months. However, it’s easy to skimp on the cleaning when you don’t have the constant sweating from the summer heat to remind you. Just because you don’t sweat as much in the winter doesn’t mean you can wash your tattoo any less.

Water

            Swimming and submersion into the water don't seem to be as obvious of a concern during the winter. If you go on vacation to somewhere warm or up to your cottage for the weekend keep in mind that water isn’t good more new tattoos. Avoid getting into pools, hot tubs and baths to help your new ink heal.     

       

Clothing

            Clothing during the winter months proposes a unique challenge for new tattoos. Make sure that you don’t get inked in a place where clothing will be rubbing up against it. Lose clothing is always preferred to help the healing process.            

            Winter is not worse than summer for getting new tattoos. It’s just a different set of problems. Always be sure to keep your ink clean, dry and exposed to fresh air. Talk to your tattoo artist about the best ways to care for your tattoo and go to them if you have any concerns.