Tattoo Safety Tips: How to Care for Your New Ink Smartly

Star shaped tattoo on neck

Body art in the form of tattoos has been around for centuries. But for as long as people have been getting inked, they’ve been getting tattoo removal. After all, who hasn’t had a night of too many drinks where they end up with an embarrassing tattoo they regret?

However, if you are going to get a tattoo, it’s crucial that you follow these proper skin care methods for tattooed skin from the American Academy of Dermatology to ensure your tattooed skin stays healthy. Some of the most important points include:

  • Apply broad spectrum SPF 30 on top of your tattoo to protect it from fading.
  • If your skin starts reacting, consult a board-certified dermatologist immediately.
  • Make sure any new tattoos you are considering getting are not on top of any moles. Tattoos or any body art can make detecting a cancerous mole very difficult. It’s important to see  a board-certified dermatologist for an annual skin cancer screening every year.

Some tips to keep in mind so you can possibly avoid tattoo removal in the future. Think twice before inking your current flame’s name onto your skin. Celebrities such as Pamela Anderson and Melanie Griffith have both been seen with tattoos of their exes fading to varying degrees. The hardest tattoo ink colors to remove are blue and yellow and if you smoke, your tattoo is even more difficult to remove. Tattoo removal with a Q-Switched laser is the gold standard method of ridding of tattoos.

Before getting a tattoo, think long and hard about if you really want this design permanently etched onto your skin.

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About Schweiger

We believe no one should wait to feel comfortable in their own skin. That's why we're committed to delivering The Ultimate Patient Experience—expert care that's fast, compassionate, and seamless. Founded by Dr. Eric Schweiger in 2010 to eliminate long wait times for high quality dermatologists, we've grown into one of the nation's leading dermatology practice, with hundreds of locations across the country and millions of satisfied patients. We offer medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology, as well as allergy services through Schweiger Allergy. Built around the needs of patients, Schweiger is committed to delivering high-quality, personalized care while removing barriers to access. With a focus on convenience, timely appointments, and clinical excellence, the practice makes expert skin and allergy care easier to get—often within days, with same- and next-day appointments available.

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