NYC Tattoo Artist Girl Knew York's Guide to Tattoo Aftercare
New York's chicest tattoo artist breaks down the best tips and products for post-tattoo recovery.
If you’ve never gotten a tattoo, the idea can be daunting: a needle poking into your skin repeatedly which can be, as you might expect, quite painful. However, in the end, it seems worth it—you’ve been left with a beautiful, possibly meaningful, piece of artwork on your body to remember forever. However, getting the tattoo is not the end of the process, but rather the beginning.
Post-tattoo care and maintenance are two vital pieces of the process in the following weeks—sometimes months—after. Without it, you could find yourself with scabbing, scarring, or even infection. Luckily, experienced tattoo artists like Mira Mariah, better known as Girl Knew York, are educating their clients on the best tattoo aftercare practices and products.
In September, I went to Mariah to receive my first tattoo. Most of her ethos revolves around expanding the relationship between fashion, beauty, and art. “When I became a tattoo artist... I set out to make fashion and art very connected in a kinda Isabella Blow, Alexander McQueen way. And I set out to take in a step further and include tattoos in it.”
You may recognize her work on celebrity clientele like Ariana Grande, so I knew artistically I was in good hands. After receiving one of her floral designs on my inner arm, I really knew. However, the question of what to do when I walked out of her Canal Street studio and was left to my own devices still remained. But she had me covered there as well.
Immediately after, the area was still red and inflamed, which is normal. Technically, a new tattoo is still an open wound, so over the next three to four weeks, the priority is to keep the area clean and hydrated daily with fragrance-free products. Mariah recommends applying the Avène Cicalfate+ Hydrating Skin Recovery Emulsion several times a day for at least three weeks. The lightweight lotion not only hydrates the skin but has been proven effective following dermatological procedures and tattoos. The cream imbues the skin with common skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide which help plump and soothe the skin, as well C+ - Restore, Avène’s trademark restorative ingredient that works to rebuild the skin’s barrier with a protein-rich formula.
Another point of concern is itching. As the inflammation of the tattoo dies down and the hair on the skin grows back in, it’s easy to want to scratch the area, but that will only lead to more complications. Instead, Mariah suggests Avène’s Thermal Spring Water, a product clinically proven to calm sensitive skin. “What you’re gonna do is spray [Avène Thermal Spring Water] on your tattoo. You can let it air dry or use a paper towel. And that should give you some relief.” You can also use the product to clean the tattoo.
Over the next three weeks, I cleaned my tattoo three times per day with the Thermal Spring Water and applied the Cicalfate+ Hydrating Skin Recovery Emulsion daily (twice a day for the first week). By the end, I was shocked at how effective the process was. No scabbing. No scarring. Some itching, but the Thermal Spring Water was a lifesaver. And not only did my tattoo heal completely, but the skin around it was smoother as well.
Months later, my tattoo looks like it’s been there my entire life. And I’m just about ready for another one.
