What Are Some Tips For Healing An Inner Elbow Tattoo?

Getting a new tattoo is an exciting time for you. However, taking care of that new ink can be challenging in an irregular spot, such as the inner elbow. Proper aftercare is essential to keep your skin and ink healthy. Here are a few aftercare tips for your inner elbow tattoo.

Follow General Tattoo Healing Tips

You will always want to follow the advice of your tattoo artist. Make sure to keep the area clean and moisturized. Always clean the area as recommended by your artist. In most cases, you want to stay away from harsh products. After washing the surface, allow the new ink plenty of time to air dry. Finally, avoid direct sunlight that can cause damage to your skin and tattoo. Now that you know those basic tips, what can you do specifically for your inner elbow tattoo?

Your Inner Elbow Tattoo Care Tips

Elbow tattoos will take longer to heal than other types of tattoos. The location of the new ink plays a big part. During the healing stage, you can expect limited mobility and partial swelling for the first few days. With that in mind, here are some other healthy tips for your inner elbow tattoo.

Avoid Too Much Activity

You probably move your inner elbow more than you realize. When you have a new tattoo in that area, rest that part of the body. As you move, the skin will stretch and condense. Moving too much can irritate the skin and extend your healing time. You will want to avoid being too active for the first few days. If you perform any physical activity that requires you to bend or stretch the arm, that can irritate the skin of the tattoo.

Watch Your Sleeping Position

After getting a new tattoo, sleep can help restore your body’s healing functions. You will not want to sleep on your inner elbow. Consider resting on the other side of your body. Additionally, you do not want the inner elbow touching any rough surfaces, such as a blanket or pillow. When the skin is irritated, it will take longer for your body to heal.

Never Pick Scabs

Unfortunately, it can be hard to keep your arm from moving. As a result, your tattoo could develop a few scabs. Scabbing happens when you move your arm frequently. While you might not be able to prevent scabbing from occurring, you can avoid touching or removing them. If you pick a scab, you risk ruining the new ink. In some cases, picking at a scab will cause scarring and fading. You can always ask an artist from one of the local Philadelphia tattoo shops for advice if you are experiencing heavy scabbing.

Avoid Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs

After getting your inner elbow tattooed, you should not engage in a few activities. Swimming with new ink can cause extreme irritation. Remember that there are harmful chemicals in the water, such as chlorine. Relaxing in a hot tub might relieve muscle pain, but it increases your chances of causing an infection in the open wound. It can even decrease the quality of your new tattoo. During the first few weeks, you will want to avoid submerging the new inked area in a pool or hot tub.

Stay Out of Direct Sunlight

During the inner elbow tattoo healing stage, keep out of direct sunlight. You might want to apply sunscreen to the area, but this lotion can cause an infection or irritation. Instead, always keep the inked area protected with clothes.

Never Wear Tight Clothes

Friction can cause so many problems for your new tattoo. When you wear tight clothes or roll your sleeves up to your elbow, it can affect the new tattoo. Your inner elbow will brush up on those surfaces, causing it to scab. Wear loose-fitting clothes that allow your skin a chance to breathe.

Don’t Use Scented Soaps or Lotions

You must keep the tattoo clean but avoid scented lotions or soaps. The chemicals in these products can cause extreme irritation to the skin. In a few cases, the tattoo’s color can fade when using these formulas. To keep that inner elbow tattoo healthy, you should always avoid scented lotions and soaps.

Talk To Your Tattoo Artist

You always want to play it safe when it comes time to heal your inner elbow tattoo. You will want to talk to your tattoo artist if there is extreme redness or swelling. Sometimes, your tattoo can take more time to heal than normal. Remember that everyone heals at a different rate. However, if you have any doubts, pick up the phone and call your tattoo artist for advice. Reaching out to your healthcare provider is not a bad idea, especially if you have a fever or oozing from the skin. Make your health the top priority during the healing process.

Final Thoughts

If you want to get an inner elbow tattoo, you need to follow these tips to help with aftercare. If you fail to take care of the fresh ink, you could damage the tattoo. Make sure to always talk to your tattoo artist for advice. They understand what it takes to properly heal a tattoo, especially in those tricky inner elbow areas.

Find Local Tattoo Shops Near Me

When you need an experienced tattoo shop in Philadelphia, reach out to Oracle Tattoo Gallery. Our talented artists offer a wide range of styles, including those for the inner elbow region. If you need help with any aftercare, we will be happy to provide you with advice. Schedule your appointment by calling 215-638-1601.