How to Keep Your Tattoos Looking Fresh: Expert Tips & Care
How to Keep Your Tattoos Looking Fresh
Ready to make sure your ink stays as fresh as the day you got it? While getting a tattoo is the fun part, keeping it looking great is a long-term commitment. Aftercare doesn’t stop once the tattoo has healed – it’s something you’ll need to work at every day. But don’t worry, it’s not all that hard to look after your tattoo, and you’ll thank yourself in the years to come when your designs are still vibrant and sharp. So let’s chat about the key things you need to do to keep your tattoo looking fresh, healthy, and as amazing as the day you walked out of the studio.
"You Didn’t Get a Tattoo to Let It Fade - Keep it Looking Sharp!
Sunscreen – Your Tattoo’s Best Friend
Let’s get this out of the way first: sun exposure is the enemy of your tattoo. No matter how perfectly it was done, UV rays will slowly fade that gorgeous ink over time. A tattoo that’s exposed to the sun without protection can lose its vibrancy and sharpness. The good news? There’s an easy fix: sunscreen.
Wear SPF 50 on your tattoos whenever they’re exposed to the sun—yep, even in winter. Think of it as your tattoo’s daily armour. Not into sunscreen? No worries. Throw on a long sleeve shirt or long-sleeved swimwear when you’re out in the sun. But when you want to show off your ink, lather up. Trust us, it’s worth it.
Moisturise Like It’s Your Job
Moisturising isn’t just for dry skin – it’s key to keeping your tattoo looking fresh. Healthy skin = a happy tattoo. When you’re moisturising regularly, you’re helping your tattoo maintain its vibrancy. After your tattoo has healed, stick with something gentle, like a fragrance-free lotion. That’ll keep your skin soft and your tattoo in top shape.
Keeping up with your skincare routine is important even after your tattoo’s healed. The more you moisturise, the less chance there is for cracking, fading, or dryness to set in. Plus, moisturised skin helps your tattoo stay smooth and crisp, without the risk of the colours getting dull.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Here’s the thing: hydration isn’t just about drinking a couple of glasses of water now and then. To really keep your skin healthy and glowing, you’ve got to drink plenty of water daily. Hydrated skin is happy skin, and happy skin is key to keeping your tattoo looking vibrant. Drinking enough water helps your body repair and maintain healthy skin, which means your tattoo’s colours stay rich and your lines stay sharp.
Keep hydrated during the day – your body (and your ink) will thank you. Plus, it’s an easy habit to form, and over time, you’ll notice healthier, smoother skin overall.
Look After Your Skin (and Your Body)
This one’s pretty simple: healthy skin is the best canvas for tattoos. So, you need to take care of your whole body, not just your tattoo. Avoid smoking (it slows down skin repair) and try to keep alcohol consumption in check (excessive drinking can dehydrate your skin). Regular exercise helps too – it gets your blood flowing and boosts circulation, which supports skin health.
Taking care of your skin, from head to toe, goes a long way in keeping your tattoo looking its best for years to come. After all, it’s not just the ink you’re investing in – it’s the health of the skin it’s sitting on.
Why It All Matters
You’ve invested time, money, and energy into getting your tattoo. Now it’s time to show it some love so that it stays vibrant for as long as possible. Sunscreen, moisturising, hydration, and looking after your overall health are all simple, small habits that can have a huge impact on how your tattoo ages.
The key takeaway? Your tattoo is forever, and so should its beauty. So, make sure to treat your skin right, protect it from the sun, and keep it hydrated. Your future self (and your tattoos) will thank you for it.
Book Your Tattoo Today!
CB Ink is home to some of Brisbane’s most talented realism tattoo artists, each of whom has years of experience.
If you’re ready to get your next tattoo, book an appointment today!
If you still have some questions or concerns, feel free to send us a message and we’ll be glad to help!