How to take care of a new tattoo?

Answer 1

Your tattoo artist should have given you instructions.

I've been inked many times, and by many different artists. All artists give different instructions, because that is what they have found to be the most effective.

What I have found to be the common theme between them all is this.

1. Keep the bandage on for no more than 3 to 4 hours after the tattoo is completed. DO NOT TOUCH IT IF YOU HAVE NOT WASHED YOUR HANDS WITH ANTI-BACTERIAL SOAP. This is because your tattoo is an open wound at this stage. You wouldnt touch a cut without washing your hands would you?

2. After you take the bandage off, immediately wash the tattoo with very hot soapy water. DO NOT use a wash cloth, this will cause more pain than needed, plus it will irritate your skin. You will need to press down very hard on the tattoo and slide your hand over it to get all of the dried plasma/blood off. DO NOT SOAK your new tattoo. After you have washed it, blot it dry with a clean towel.

3. After washing, apply a SMALL amount of ointment. A&D ointment is good, but DO NOT use any Neosporin, Vaseline or anything with Zinc in it. The Zinc will pull the color out and you will be left with a horrible looking tattoo. My tattoo artist recommends Aquaphor. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TOO. I've never had a tattoo heal quicker than when I was using Aquaphor.

4. DO NOT over wash your tattoo. 2 times a day should be plenty. DO NOT over apply ointment either.

5. Everyone's skin is different, so there is no set time for when to start using lotion. Typically, you can change from the ointment to lotion after 3-7 days. Your tattoo will begin to scab over. DONT PICK AT IT. If it itches, slap it. DONT scratch it.

6. Use a non scented lotion. I prefer Curel Ultimate Healing. Its very thick and doesnt wear off quickly like others.

7. Continue using the lotion for about 2 weeks until the tattoo isnt scabbing anymore.

8. For the first 2 weeks, DO NOT soak the tattoo. That means no swimming, baths, hot tubs. If you must go in the sun, use a very high SPF sun block. You didnt pay all this money just to let your tattoo fade. This is an investment and a piece of art.

9. If your artist did a great job, refer people to him/her. They love this and will typically hook you up the next time you come in...I know mine did.

Answer 2

Aftercare Instructions

These instructions are meant as general aftercare instructions and what to expect in caring for a new tattoo. There are several ways to take care of a tattoo that work. Listen to what your artist tells you unless he is doing it out of his kitchen, in which case you’re screwed anyway.
Leave the bandage on for 4 to 6 hours.
If it sticks when your removing it, run it under water and take it off.

Wash the tattoo immediately with antibacterial soap using your hands.

Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment 3 or 4 times daily for the fist couple of days, after 2 or 3 days start using fragrance free hand lotion. Apply the hand lotion several times a day as the tattoo starts feeling dry.
The tattoo will get dry and flaky. As it does do not pick at it.

No soaking in water until completely healed. Take showers only, no Baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, oceans etc.

No direct sunlight or tanning until healed. After 2 weeks use a high spf sun block to protect the color.

Do not use alcohol, peroxide, or Vaseline on the tattoo during healing process.

Contact your artist with any questions or concerns.

Answer 3

A beautifully done tattoo can be ruined simply by not caring for it properly. Follow these guidelines, and you will have a work of art you can be proud of.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 1-2 Weeks
Here's How:

1. Listen to your artists aftercare instructions. They know more about your specific needs.
2. No matter how tempted you are to show off your new tattoo, leave the bandage on for at least 3 hours.
3. Wash your tattoo with mild soap twice daily using only your hand.
4. After washing your tattoo, pat it dry with an unused towel or paper towel.
5. For the first 3 days, apply anti-bacterial ointment very lightly after washing.
6. After the third day, you can start applying lotion to your tattoo after washing.
7. If your tattoo itches, don't scratch it! Instead, slap it to make the itch go away.
8. Your tattoo may start to peel. Don't pick at it! Let it peel by itself and apply lotion to keep it moist.
9. Once it is healed, apply sunblock before spending an extended time outside.
10. You may want to have it touched up every few years to keep it looking new and vibrant.

Tips:

1. Do not, at any time, scrub your tattoo before it is fully healed.
2. Your tattoo's worst enemy is the sun. Protect it with sunblock to keep the color from fading.
3. A tattoo is considered completely healed when it is about 3 months old.

Answer 4

Didn't you listen to the tattoo artist when they were done? They should have told you how to care for it. Keep it covered for the first day with a plastic wrap or something then after that put a small amount of neosporin on it a few times a day. No sun or water for awhile, don't scratch it. Good luck and next time listen to the artist cuz I have a few and most of them tell you a little different each time. Like I never had to cover my Tatt's till the last one and that one looks the best. I know it's the newest but it just seems better.

Hey don't drown it in neosporin just enough to keep it moist too much makes it bleed, the ink out not real blood

Answer 5

I am a tattoo artist, here is what I tell people...Take the bandage off at least 3-4 hours later, if it sticks dont pull!!!! Get a warm wash cloth and blot it, it will eventually ease off, if they used seran wrap instead of a bandage, it should come off easy. Apply bacitracin or triple antibiotic ointment at the very least 4-6 times daily for the first week or two to prevent infection. Use ointment not cream as cream has dye, and may soften the color. KEEP OUT OF THE SUN!!!!!!! FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!!!! For the rest of your life use sunscreen on it, preferably sunblock, it will keep the colors crisp. If you have scabbing or itching it is very normal, DONT SCRATCH! YOU WILL PULL OUT PIGMENT! The best way to alleviate the itch is to slap it. After the week or two with the ointment use lubriderm regularly, as often as your tattoo feels dry. JUST SAY NO TO VASELINE, IT TRAPS ANY INFECTION UNDER THE OIL BASE, AND CAUSES IT TO FESTER, ALSO STAY AWAY FROM CHLORINATED POOLS FOR AWHILE...Check out Import beer man, he knows his stuff!

Answer 6

The tattooist should have told you. BUT If NOT,.. then follow this simple method

1. Keep the tissue he/she put on it on for 24hrs,..
2. After 24hrs carefully remove the tissue,..
3. Clean with a clean damp towel, do NOT rub it or scratch it,...
4. Pat dry with a clean paper towel,..
5. Do steps 3 & 4 once a day,..
6. Keep the tattoo covered at all times,.. especially at night,..
7. Wait a few days until scab has formed cleanly remove all coverings, and keep clean.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Hi Dear
first congrats for your new TATTOO. Now from moment the guy finished tattoo on your skin, you have to start giving a really good care to it for atleast 3 dayz. keep on putting vaseline atleast after every 4 hours and wash it before you apply vaseline. The guy who made a tattoo on my skin said to me that in first 3 dayz you determine how long your tattoo will stay. if you take care of it, then it will take care of you for rest of your live. Yeah thats wot the tattoo guy told me. So atleast give it a good care for first 3 dayz and it will be allrite
take care!!!!

Answer 8

I've always kept a thin layer of antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) on mine and gently washed with a wash cloth morning and night. About a week after you've had the tat, the scab has been washed away and no further care is needed. Sometimes you have to go in to get it "refreshed" but that is usually years after you've had it and the color has faded. It's a good idea to keep it out of the sun, also.

Answer 9

Cleanse it daily by blotting it with a soapy solution and rinse thoroughly. Then after it heals, apply lots and lots of lotion because by the time you're 50 it will be so wrinkled nobody will know what it originally was otherwise.

Answer 10

Use a generous amount of Noxzema skin creme on it and just leave it. I wouldn't put no petroleum product on it because it takes out the color.