Tattoo Aftercare
Nurturing Your New Ink
Congratulations on your new tattoo! Proper aftercare is essential for ensuring vibrant colors and crisp lines. Keep your tattoo clean and moisturized by washing it gently with mild, fragrance-free soap and applying a thin layer of tattoo-specific ointment or unscented lotion. Avoid exposing your tattoo to direct sunlight, swimming pools, or hot tubs during the healing process to prevent fading and infection. Be sure to wear loose clothing to allow your tattoo to breathe and heal properly. If you notice any signs of infection such as excessive redness, swelling, or discharge, consult your tattoo artist or a healthcare professional promptly. With careful attention and proper aftercare, your tattoo will be a source of pride for years to come.
After getting your fresh new tattoo, it’s your responsibility to take good care of it. By following these simple instructions, your tattoo will heal properly, and be a beautiful work of art for many years to come. Your artist took the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason – to keep air-borne bacteria from invading your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of two hours.
Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap before you begin to care for your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap to gently wash away any ointment, blood or plasma and to completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. (If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, you have probably been oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible – when the plasma dries on the skin surface, it creates scabs.)
Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of your choice of ointment. TatWax or A&D vitamin enriched ointment would be my first choice, but if you don’t have any, Bacitracin/Silver X or a similar antibacterial ointment is acceptable.
It is very IMPORTANT that you put the ointment on as thin as possible. If you put it on too thick it will draw the ink out of the skin, so you put it on just enough to keep the skin moist, not greasy.
- Avoid direct sunlight on your tattoo for 2 weeks.
- Don’t shave over your tattoo for 2 weeks.
- Don’t allow your tattoo to get into water for 2 weeks.
- Don’t scratch or pick at the tattoo, let the skin fall off on its own.
- Your tattoo should be finished peeling in 10 to 14 days. When your tattoo is done peeling,
- Quit using ointment and use moisturizer for 1 additional week.
- NO SWIMMING, NO GYM and other exercise that may cause you to break sweat.
- While showering/bathing, you can apply a thick layer of Vaseline over the tattoo to avoid contact with the water. AVOID taking a HOT SHOWER, SAUNA or any heat, steam treatment.
- A bright tattoo is up to YOU!!!
