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Caring For Your Tattoo

 
Mark Schwab
Meet the Expert
Studio City Tattoo
  • How should I care for my new tattoo?
  • What type of ointment should be used on a new tattoo?
  • What can I expect in the first week after getting a tattoo?
  • Is it normal for a tattoo to peel?
  • Should I use lotion on my new tattoo?
  • Are there any activities I should avoid with a new tattoo?
  • How can I tell if my tattoo is infected?
  • What should I do if my tattoo gets infected?
  • When can I shave over a new tattoo?
  • How can tanning affect a tattoo?
  • Do tattoos fade?
  • How can I ensure my tattoo lasts?
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Tattoos
 Tattoo Basics 
  1. Mark Schwab
  2. What is a tattoo? 
  3. What should I know before I get a tattoo? 
  4. What are the common reasons people get tattoos? 
  5. What is a 'sleeve'? 
  6. What is a 'henna' tattoo? 
 Tattoo Designs 
  1. Mark Schwab
  2. What is a 'flash'? 
  3. What should I consider in choosing a tattoo design? 
  4. Where can I find tattoo designs? 
  5. What are some common tattoo designs? 
  6. How can I ensure my tattoo is unique? 
  7. How can words compliment a tattoo design? 
  8. Can I get my name tattooed in another language? 
 Tattoo Artists 
  1. Mark Schwab
  2. What should I look for in a tattoo artist? 
  3. Are tattoo artists licensed? 
  4. How do I find a good tattoo artist? 
  5. How can I see the work of a tattoo artist? 
  6. How can I tell if a tattoo artist is operating safely? 
  7. Why do some artists refuse to tattoo the feet or hands? 
  8. Why do some artists refuse to tattoo my face? 
  9. How do I become a tattoo artist? 
 Tattoos And Your Health 
  1. Mark Schwab
  2. What are the risks associated with getting a tattoo? 
  3. What should I look for in a tattoo shop? 
  4. Why do tattoo artists wear gloves? 
  5. How is tattoo equipment sterilized? 
  6. What is an 'autoclave'? 
  7. Can I get HIV from a tattoo needle? 
  8. Can I get hepatitis or a staff infection from a tattoo needle? 
  9. What health conditions might prevent me from getting a tattoo? 
  10. Is it safe for pregnant or nursing women to get tattoos? 
 Tattoo Considerations 
  1. Mark Schwab
  2. What should I consider before getting a tattoo? 
  3. How should I decide on the placement of my tattoo? 
  4. Will having tattoos affect my employment? 
  5. Should I consider cost when choosing a tattoo artist? 
  6. Can I get a refund if I'm unhappy with my tattoo? 
  7. Can I donate blood if I have a tattoo? 
  8. Can a lower back tattoo prohibit the use of epidurals? 
  9. Can I get a tattoo over a mole? 
  10. Can I get a tattoo over a scar? 
  11. What effect will hair growth have on my tattoo? 
  12. How does aging affect tattoos? 
  13. How can changes in my weight affect my tattoo? 
  14. What is the best time of year to get a tattoo? 
 Getting A Tattoo 
  1. Mark Schwab
  2. How should I prepare for a tattoo? 
  3. What are the common steps in getting a tattoo? 
  4. Should I bring a sketch to my tattoo artist? 
  5. Should I have a few drinks before getting my tattoo? 
  6. Does a tattoo needle cause bleeding? 
  7. Is it painful to get a tattoo? 
  8. What should I do if I feel faint while getting a tattoo? 
  9. Do I have to hold still while getting a tattoo? 
  10. How long does it take to get a tattoo? 
  11. What is the length of time needed to complete a tattoo sleeve? 
  12. What can I do to work well with my tattoo artist? 
  13. Will my tattoo artist let me see the work in progress? 
  14. Should I tip my tattoo artist? 
Caring For Your Tattoo (Now Playing)
  1. Mark Schwab
 Changing Your Tattoo 
  1. Mark Schwab
  2. What is a 'cover up'? 
  3. Can any tattoo be covered? 
  4. What should I consider before covering a tattoo? 
  5. What should I do if my tattoo is stretched out? 
  6. What should I do if my tattoo is faded? 
 Removing Your Tattoo 
  1. Mark Schwab
  2. Can I remove my tattoo? 
  3. How does laser tattoo removal work? 
  4. What should I consider before laser tattoo removal? 
  5. Do tattoo removal creams work? 
  6. Are there any risks with laser tattoo removal? 
Mark Schwab Mr. Mark Schwab
Award-winning tattoo artist from the shop named “Best Tattoo/Piercing” by City Search.
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Transcript

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.

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  • How should I care for my new tattoo?
  • What type of ointment should be used on a new tattoo?
  • What can I expect in the first week after getting a tattoo?
  • Is it normal for a tattoo to peel?
  • Should I use lotion on my new tattoo?
  • Are there any activities I should avoid with a new tattoo?
  • How can I tell if my tattoo is infected?
  • What should I do if my tattoo gets infected?
  • When can I shave over a new tattoo?
  • How can tanning affect a tattoo?
  • Do tattoos fade?
  • How can I ensure my tattoo lasts?

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