Am I caring for my tattoo right?

Question

I just got my tattoo on my ankle yesterday (well the tat is about 2 inches above my ankle). It's all black. This is what I did: I took the Saran Wrap bandange off like 10 hrs after I got it, rinsed it off with lukewarm water, lathered it up with frangrance free antibacterial soap with my fingertips, rinsed it off, patted it dry then applied a thin layer of A & D ointment to it and went to bed. I woke up this morning, washed it in the shower and reapplied the A & D ointment and went about with my day. Now I just apply the ointment everytime it starts to feel tight or dry. Am I doing this all right? What happens if u put too much ointment on it?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Sounds like you are doing good so far. I would limit the ointment to a couple to three times a day for about a week, and after that I would just apply regular unscented lotion around 3 times a day until it heals (when the swelling goes away). Whatever you do, ignore the urge to scratch it or pick at it!! It makes the ink fade if you do pick at it while it is in the healing process.

Answer 2

You're doing a good job! There shouldn't be a problem if you put too much ointment on the tattoo, since you don't want it to dry out. The most important thing to remember is to keep it out of the sun, now, and forever. Always apply a sunscreen to it (wait until it heals), as the sun is what fades tattoos. I have a rose on my ankle.

Answer 3

don't use any soap at all. this is a common misconception. soap dries out your skin and produces thicker scabs which yield poor results. I have a back of the neck tattoo, and since it's kind of hard to see for yourself what's going on without a mirror, I just wore my hair up for a few days until it developed a scab. don't use compresses on a scab; this simply prolongs healing times and could potentially lift ink. different people's skin will heal differently- some may end up with a thick scab while doing everything right, and others won't. I always end up with a hefty crust despite vigilant care, and all my 6 tattoos look just great. i have beard that bacitracin is detrimental to tattoo health- try organic, virgin coconut oil; it's anti inflammatroy, anti fungal and anti viral properties help ward off infection while providing supreme moisture simultaneously. these are all methods that I have found to work most beneficially; even my oldest tattoo is very dark with crisp lines.

Answer 4

When I got my first 2 tattoos that is how my artist told me to take care of it. then after a week, apply lubriderm to it. But with the last 4 that I have gotten he just tells me to clean it with Dial anti bacteria soap and then recover it with saran wrap until it is completely healed, usually about a week. Then to put Lubriderm on it for awhile to keep it from drying out. Just do what your tattoo artist told you to do for the after care and if you are still unsure give him/her a call and they should answer any questions that you have

Answer 5

You are doing it correctly. Just make sure not to soak your tattoo in water for long periods. You need to let it heal. The lotion is okay but you will not need to apply it more than 3 times per day. It will start to peel within the week, don't pick at it or you could scar your tattoo.

Answer 6

Everyone is different in tattoo atercare. Personally I don;t like A and D. I usually scrub my tat in the am and leave it alone for the first few days. Then I apply a light coat of good lotion once or twice a day until it is healed. You don;t want it to stay too wet.

Answer 7

Sounds about right...If you use too much of any product it can cause the skin to reject the pigment and can also break out the skin on and around the tattoo with little red bumps..They get oxygen starved!!! Try Aquafor if A&D proves too harsh or too thick!!

Answer 8

When I got my tattoo done the guy told me to use Dawn dish soap (original) to wash it and then to put Curel lotion on it to keep it moist.
They tell you not to put Neosporin on it and A &D ointment is just like Neosporin.

Answer 9

You seem to be doing everything right (except I have never had saran wrap on any of my 15 tattoos) I have used a&d but I don't like it much... I use lubriderm

Answer 10

You have done everything right. Everyone is different and everyone skin reacts differently.. Your skin may feel tight, rough, start bleeding, etc.. That is just normal for the healing process.