Maintaining fresh ink: tattoo care for acne-prone skin

If you've got a new tattoo and you're prone to body acne, you might be wondering how to keep your skin clear without ruining your fresh ink. With a few simple tweaks to your body care routine, you can maintain healthy, acne-free skin while ensuring your tattoo looks its best. The First 3 Weeks: Treating Your Tattoo Like an Open Wound

The First 3 Weeks: Treating Your Tattoo Like an Open Wound

A new tattoo is essentially an open wound. The tattoo machine uses a fast-moving needle to inject ink deep into your skin, which means at this stage, your tattoo is more vulnerable to breakouts. Any bacteria that finds its way into the wound can lead to irritation and breakouts. So, what can you do to keep your skin happy and your tattoo looking fresh?

Keep It Clean and Moisturized

When it comes to tattoo aftercare, keeping it clean is key. Gently wash your tattoo with a fragrance-free, gentle, mild soap to avoid irritating your currently sensitive skin with harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances.

Once you've cleansed the area, make sure it's completely dry before applying a non-comedogenic, non-exfoliating, quick -absorbing moisturizer. This will keep your skin hydrated without clogging your pores, which can lead to breakouts.

If you're prone to body acne, we recommend reaching for Soft Services' Speed Soak, a skin rehydrating gel. Its non-greasy gel-cream formula won't clog pores or leave a filmy residue, making it a dream for acne-prone skin with fresh tattoos.

Hands Off!

We know it's tempting to pick at any scabs or scratch your tattoo when it gets itchy, but trust us—keep your hands off.

Picking and scratching can introduce bacteria and cause scar tissue to form, which can seriously affect the appearance of your tattoo. So, resist the urge and let your skin do its thing.

3-4 Weeks Post-Tattoo: Gentle Exfoliation

Once you've made it through those first few weeks, it's time to start incorporating some gentle exfoliation into your routine to keep acne at bay.

This is where products like Soft Services' Clearing Mist come in handy. Clearing Mist is formulated with ingredients like zinc PCA to regulate sebum and calm redness, niacinamide to target hyperpigmentation, and 1% salicylic acid to treat acne.

Just spritz it on clean, dry skin after showering. Thanks to the quick-drying formula, it disappears immediately, and the ultra-fine mist is able to cover all those hard-to-reach spots. Plus, the light exfoliation can help decongest and turn over the skin surrounding your tattoo, keeping it looking fresh and reducing the risk of breakouts.

One thing to keep in mind: the Clearing Mist is designed to be evenly distributed via the fine mister component, so rubbing it in with your hands might interfere with the quick dry-down and even application. Just spritz it on and let the mist work its magic on its own!

4-6 Weeks Post-Tattoo: Back to Your Regular Routine

Once your tattoo has fully healed (this varies, but usually around the 4-6 week mark), you can start getting back to your normal body care routine and more intensive treatments. And don't forget the sunscreen! To keep your tattoo looking fresh and vibrant for years to come, always protect it with SPF when you're going to be out in the sun. UV rays can cause your tattoo to fade and lose its sharpness over time, and nobody wants that.