Tattoo aftercare is very important for the health of your new tattoo, and should not be ignored. Many people believe that once the sewing is completed, their tattoo is key, but it's far from reality. The fact is that unless you properly care for your new tattoo, it can easily fade, lose saturation, flake, scar, or you could wind up with an infected mess on your body.
But if you ask a dozen tattoo artists how to care for a new tattoo, you'll probably get a dozen different answers. The conclusion is that no one knows exactly what will work for everyone, so your best bet is to follow a conservative, consensus-driven aftercare procedure.
Before getting into any specifics, it is important that you follow the instructions you right tattoo artist. If their guidance conflicts with this article, always refer to their instructions. But in the absence of direction, this is what you need to know.
Tattoo Aftercare Do
But if you ask a dozen tattoo artists how to care for a new tattoo, you'll probably get a dozen different answers. The conclusion is that no one knows exactly what will work for everyone, so your best bet is to follow a conservative, consensus-driven aftercare procedure.
Before getting into any specifics, it is important that you follow the instructions you right tattoo artist. If their guidance conflicts with this article, always refer to their instructions. But in the absence of direction, this is what you need to know.
Tattoo Aftercare Do
- Whether using approved aftercare moisturizer / healing cream
- Do leave your initial bandage over your tattoo for at least four to six hours, but no more than 12 hours
- Do not keep your tattoo from direct contact with water (including bathrooms)
- Do not keep the tattoo moisturized
- Do not pat your skin dry when the tattooed area gets wet
Tattoo Aftercare Prohibition
- Do not expose tattoo to sunlight until healed
- Do not submerge your tattoo in water, and especially avoid chlorinated water
- Do not let your tattoo dry out completely
- Do not over moisturize the tattoo
- Do not pick scabs tattoos
- Do not cover your tattoo with a bandage after the initial bandages have been removed
- Do not scratch, bruise, or allow anything to rub against your tattoo with friction
Tattoo Aftercare Procedures
1) Four to six hours after you leave the tattoo parlor, wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap. You'll want to make sure that your hands are free from dirt, germs, or any contagious.
2) Carefully remove the bandage is placed over your tattoo parlor. With a mild antibacterial soap, carefully wash the tattooed area, removing one of the greasy covering, ink residue, blood, etc. You will know the area is clean when it just feels like wet leather. Be very gentle with your skin. Moisturize your skin dry - do not brush or rub dry.
3) Apply a thin layer of moisturizer / healing ointment. Popular brands recommended at parlors include A & D Ointment, Neosporin, and Bacitracin. There are also tattoo-specific products designed specifically for the aftercare, and they include Tattoo Goo, H2Ocean Aftercare, and Cream Black Cat Tattoo. If you have a tattoo of a large, expensive, or a tattoo with deep colors that you want to protect, they may be worth the investment.
4) Three to four times per day, apply a thin layer of antibacterial ointment / healing for tattoos. You will want to use enough to moisten the tattooed area, but not so much to leave streaks or allow it to build. Your goal is to moisturize the area only, so start with a small amount and work it in with your fingers.
The problem with the ink fades over skin moisturizing. If you slather on a thick layer of Neosporin and keep it moist throughout the day, the tattoo might heal in just over a week - but the ink will fade. However, if you lightly coat the area three to four times per day, your tattoo might take two to three weeks to heal, but the color will be set correctly. The lesson to learn is not necessarily a quick healing healing properly.
5) Cover the tattoo with a light, loose clothing, and realize that your tattoo. Do not scratch or pick your tattoo! If you must, gently slap the skin or using alcohol to relieve any itching or irritation.
Although there may seem to be quite a few steps to follow, they are quite simple. The bottom line is that you need to consider your tattoo, and allows the body to heal itself as naturally as possible. You'll do anything to help that process, but you do not want to rush it - it just helps. If you can do it, and stay diligent with your care for 2 to 3 weeks, you will be blessed with a rich tattoo that can be enjoyed for years.
Following these steps will ensure that your tattoo heals quickly and properly, and will help the ink set and remains vibrant and bold. Then you can enjoy your new tattoo for a lifetime.
1) Four to six hours after you leave the tattoo parlor, wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap. You'll want to make sure that your hands are free from dirt, germs, or any contagious.
2) Carefully remove the bandage is placed over your tattoo parlor. With a mild antibacterial soap, carefully wash the tattooed area, removing one of the greasy covering, ink residue, blood, etc. You will know the area is clean when it just feels like wet leather. Be very gentle with your skin. Moisturize your skin dry - do not brush or rub dry.
3) Apply a thin layer of moisturizer / healing ointment. Popular brands recommended at parlors include A & D Ointment, Neosporin, and Bacitracin. There are also tattoo-specific products designed specifically for the aftercare, and they include Tattoo Goo, H2Ocean Aftercare, and Cream Black Cat Tattoo. If you have a tattoo of a large, expensive, or a tattoo with deep colors that you want to protect, they may be worth the investment.
4) Three to four times per day, apply a thin layer of antibacterial ointment / healing for tattoos. You will want to use enough to moisten the tattooed area, but not so much to leave streaks or allow it to build. Your goal is to moisturize the area only, so start with a small amount and work it in with your fingers.
The problem with the ink fades over skin moisturizing. If you slather on a thick layer of Neosporin and keep it moist throughout the day, the tattoo might heal in just over a week - but the ink will fade. However, if you lightly coat the area three to four times per day, your tattoo might take two to three weeks to heal, but the color will be set correctly. The lesson to learn is not necessarily a quick healing healing properly.
5) Cover the tattoo with a light, loose clothing, and realize that your tattoo. Do not scratch or pick your tattoo! If you must, gently slap the skin or using alcohol to relieve any itching or irritation.
Although there may seem to be quite a few steps to follow, they are quite simple. The bottom line is that you need to consider your tattoo, and allows the body to heal itself as naturally as possible. You'll do anything to help that process, but you do not want to rush it - it just helps. If you can do it, and stay diligent with your care for 2 to 3 weeks, you will be blessed with a rich tattoo that can be enjoyed for years.
Following these steps will ensure that your tattoo heals quickly and properly, and will help the ink set and remains vibrant and bold. Then you can enjoy your new tattoo for a lifetime.
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