If you’ve got a tattoo, it’s as good as a lifelong commitment towards that art. Properly caring for it will keep it bright and healthy throughout different periods of life. One of the less talked-about factors in tattoo aftercare is water quality, especially if your home has hard water. Because hard water- contains high mineral, calcium, and magnesium content, it can easily disrupt your skin and heal the tattoo.
Join Here: Hard Water-Safe Your Tattoo
A tattoo is for life; take care of it, and it will remain bright and healthy through different phases of life. One of the points that is often missed in aftercare for a tattoo is water quality— especially when hard water is present in the home. High levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium can lead to poor skin tone and possible disruption in the healing process of the tattoo.
Effects Of Hard Water On Tattoos
Tattoo Ink Will Fade – The minerals in hard water can lead tattoo pigments to break down more quickly and therefore, tats tend to fade more prematurely with time. Ink is duller and not so well-defined after years have passed than immediately after it’s done.
Causes Dry Irritation – Hard water strips the natural oils off your skin, leaving it dry, flaky, irritated-an issue common to both new and old tattoos. Drier skin means less luminescence in the tattoo and discomfort as well.
Delays Healing – Hard water increases the scabbing and intense peeling of the new tattoo and long healing. The presence of chlorine and heavy metals casts more pain on the sensitivity of the healing skin and causes a tendency to infection or irritation.
Increases the Risk of Skin Sensitivity-some people are highly sensitive to hard water, develop skin itching or rashes, and may have adverse effects on the healing of the tattoo with long-term skin implications.
How to Shield Your Tattoo against Hard Water
Filter or Softener – Installation of shower filters, like those from Pure Blue Solutions, filters away mineral deposits and chlorine to provide a good conducive environment for your tattooed skin.
Moisturize – Good tattoo aftercare lotion will help to fight the drying qualities of hard water. Moisturizers with natural ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, or coconut oil are your best bet.
Pat It Dry instead of Rubbing – Gently, pat-dry your tattoo after showering with a clean, soft towel to prevent unnecessary irritation. Rubbing causes friction that damages healing skin.
Limit Water Exposure – Avoid soaking your tattoo in water – that’s baths or pools or hot tubs, especially during the healing time. Excessive exposure to hard water will delay healing and dim down the ink faster.
Use a Mild pH-Balanced Soap – When washing your tattoo, use a mild fragrance-free soap so the irritating ingredients won’t react with the minerals carried by hard water.
Final Thoughts
Tattoo wellness is an investment, and an important aspect is being aware of the water that is used. Hard water can fade it too soon, dry it out, or irritate it, making hydration and skin care extremely necessary. If you are in an area of hard water, consider investing in a Pure Blue Solutions shower filter as a means to protect your tattoos’ color and the health of your skin from extra damage. So keep that ink deep and let the skin glisten gently with the right care of water!
