Caring For Your Tattoo
How should I care for my new tattoo?
The most important thing to do is to wash the tattoo with a liquid anti-bacterial hand soap. Do not rebandage the tattoo whilst it's healing. Once the tattoo starts to itch, you might want to put a very light layer of a tattoo after-care product, or possibly an unscented lotion such as Aquaphor or lubriderm. Everybody is going to tell you something a little different, and if you have any questions, be sure ask your tattoo artist, not your friend.
What type of ointment should be used on a new tattoo?
The best thing to use on a new tattoo to relieve itching is either a tattoo aftercare product such as Tattoo Glue, or Tattoo Magic. There are several name brands that you can get from your tattoo artist. Some people use lotions, but talk to your tattoo artist to see what they recommend. Using healing ointments such as Neosporin, Bacitracin, A & D, are not something that I would recommend for you to put on. They are good for cuts and scrapes, but for tattooing, they generally cause them to heal up with a little bit less color in your tattoo. However, some tattoo artists might recommend one thing over the next, so it is good to talk to your tattoo artist.
What can I expect in the first week after getting a tattoo?
After you get a tattoo, you can expect the tattoo to ooze a tiny bit. You want to wash that off with a liquid anti-bacterial hand soap. In about three or four days, you can expect a light layer of scab. Hopefully, it's not too thick and chunky. At that point, you do not want to pick or scratch re-bandage - just let the tattoo dry up and peal off on its own and you'll have years of good looking tattoo underneath.
Is it normal for a tattoo to peel?
After you get your tattoo, during the healing process, you can expect it to peel. A colored scab of the tattoo will peel off and the tattoo will be left underneath, so don't freak out if it looks like your tattoo is falling off in your bed, or anywhere on your clothes. But you can certainly expect it to peel.
Should I use lotion on my new tattoo?
Some tattoo artists will recommend putting lotion on your tattoo that helps relieve itching, and helps your tattoo heal. Talk to your tattoo artist. Generally, an unscented lotion with no dye or perfume in it is what we'll be recommending you to use. Lotions or after care ointments might go on. They generally just soothe the itching and they don't help the tattoo heal up much faster - but it makes it more comfortable for you while it is healing.
Are there any activities I should avoid with a new tattoo?
After getting tattooed, you definitely don't want to go swimming with it. Any kind of exercise that will cause clothing to rub on it while it is healing will cause it to scab, possibly scar, and having the pigment fall out of it as a result. Try to be easy on it while its healing.
How can I tell if my tattoo is infected?
While the tattoo is healing, you can look to see if it is infected by inflammation around it. Possibly redness, and a heavily scabbed tattoo. It's important to keep washing the tattoo through the healing process with an anti-bacterial liquid hand soap.
What should I do if my tattoo gets infected?
If you think your tattoo is infected, it might be a serious situation. Look for excessive pain, swelling, and pussing. At that point, it might be necessary to see a physician about your tattoo. It is important to keep washing it, and ensuring that the tattoo is kept clean.
When can I shave over a new tattoo?
After your tattoo has healed, it is safe to shave it. You definitely don't want to be shaving over any scabbing or peeling, because that could possibly result in needing to touch up your tattoo. So, wait for all the peeling skin to come off before you shave the area. You can expect anywhere from 7-14 days for a tattoo to heal, so you might need to wait a week or two before you can shave the newly tattooed area.
How can tanning affect a tattoo?
Once you've got a new tattoo that has healed, it is safe to tan it, but you do want to consider the effects of tanning on your skin. It will cause your skin to prematurely age, and if your skin prematurely ages, your tattoo will prematurely age. Any chance that you get, do put sun block over the tattoo, and then you can feel safe about tanning the rest of your body.
Do tattoos fade?
In time, you might expect to see a little bit of fading of the color of your tattoo, hopefully not too much if done by a good professional tattoo artist. The sun and time are the two factors that cause your tattoo to maybe lighten a little bit. However, you can touch up your tattoo in time, if it needs it.
How can I ensure my tattoo lasts?
In ensuring that your tattoo lasts as long as you do, it's good to start taking care of your tattoo right from the beginning. Following the aftercare instructions is very important. Once you get a good tattoo on you, and you heal it as best as possible, the pigment will stay in your skin for the rest of your life and remain at the highest quality possible. Staying out of the sun, keeping sun-block on it, and taking care of your body will ensure that you will have a nice looking tattoo for years to come.
