care advice for a new tattoo?

Question

can anyone please give me any pointers as to the care of a new tattoo, I'm going to get one within the next fortnight.

Mitch

Answer 1

Don't bother with advice from here. Just listen carefully to the artist who does it, and what they tell you regarding how to take care of it.
There are as many answers as there are people out there...most of them wrong. While I'm a tattoo artist, anybody can tell you that they are...you have no way of being sure...even of me.

Your artist will have all the advice you need, and will give you a copy in writing to take home. Never ever listen to any advice that starts with "I heard that..."

Answer 2

When I got my tattoo, the artist said only to wash it 3 times a day with a soft, gentle anti bacterial soap. Thats it. No lotion, no creams, no bandages. Don't pick it, cause it will itch as it heals. Of course you will have a bandage on it when you get sent home, but after that let it breath and heal. I got my tattoo 2 years ago and the color still looks fabulous.

Answer 3

"How To SERIOUSLY Heal Tattoos

1. After getting Tattooed leave the saran wrap on for a few hours before removing...this allows the tattoo the bleed out without your lymph drying and scabbing.
2. After leaving the Tattoo shop go buy Aquaphor, anit-bacterial liquid soap, paper towels, saran wrap, scotch or medical tape, and non-scented lotion (we recommend Aveeno, Lubriderm, or Eucerin... we advise only high grade and non-scented lotions for the after Aquaphor portion of healing...Different lotions work differently on different people)...you need all these products before removing the saran wrap the first time...Aquaphor can be found in the lotion section of most drug stores...its made by Eucerin...This is the only healing ointment that we recommend...let it be known we do NOT advise or approve the use of any A & D, vaseline, tattoo goo, tat wax, H2 ocean, flim flam, snake oil, etc...
(although A & D is used during the actual tattooing process, it is Not good for healing Tattoos)
3. When removing the saran wrap for the first time there will be blood, ink, and lymph (clear gelital excreetion on your skin)...wash the tattooed area with HOT water (as HOT as You can stand...this will cause discomfort but will not damage the tattoo), using a damp and fresh paper towel to help pull off all the lymph, excess ink, and blood...rinse this area for a few minutes with hand and bacterial soap...This process pulls out all the elements that create thick scabs and will further the proper healing of your new tattoo
4. Let the tattooed area air dry wiping only the wet areas around the tattoo
5. Now apply a small dab of Aquaphor enough to cover the tattoo..rub this dab in with your fingure tips...it is key to only apply a thin layer of Aquaphor...although it is an oinment, use it as if a lotion...for example, thick gooy films are not good
6. Now wrap the tattoo with new saran wrap and tape just like it looked when you left the tattoo shop
7.You are going to sleep with the wrap on...this allows for your tattoo to fully bleed out and the lymph to stay moist and not bleed into your sheets...if you sleep without the wrap any hair, loose particles, sheet lent, etc. will become a part of the scab...wrapping prevents the sheets and clothing from sticking to your new tattoo and potentially ruining part of your new Tattoo...this process may make your sleep a little more uncomfortable than usual, but is a SUPER IMPORTANT KEY to SWEET healing
8. When you wake up remove the wrap...again you will have a gooey gelatiness layer of blood, ink and lymph...use HOT water and a dampen paper towel to remove this layer of goo(do not be afraid to pull the paper towel over the tattoo...after the gooey layer is removed wash with hot water and anti-bacterial soap with your fingure tips...again let the Tattoo air dry
9. Now it is time to apply another dab of Aquaphor to the tattoo...Again do not leave a thick film of goo...you just need enough for a thin layer to be massaged into the tattoo...if you leave a thick layer you will potentially create a trap and nest for particles to get stuck to your Tattoo
10. Each time you wash your Tattoo for the next 48 hours reapply this small dab of Aquaphor
11. Keep Tattoo Out of Sunlight...DO NOT touch the tattoo, and try and keep as little clothing friction such as a sock, bra straps, belts, etc away from the tattoo...DO NOT let Drunk Girls or Guys lick your Tattoo
12. After the first 48 hours you should switch from the Aquaphor to the recommended non-scented lotion...Always wash the tattoo before applying any lotion or Aquaphor
13. If you follow these steps you are now privy to the ULTIMATE SWEET SWEETNESS in healing your Tattoo

good luck..."

(This was from the blog of Oliver)

Answer 4

use bepanthen 5 times a day but dont use too much for about 2 weeks then move onto vitamen e cream make sure you clean it daily and dont pick it or scratch it and avoid tight clothing

Answer 5

if you dont know how to read chinese or japanese, dont get an asain tattoo. your going to get owned. sure people who cant read it will say "that looks awsome!" but the people who can are going to laugh at you cause your tattoo doesnt even mean anything[or what you want it to mean]!

Answer 6

For one week after your tattoo, apply Johnson's baby oil (not advertising here). It'll keep the tattoo design sharp.

Answer 7

Keep it very moist using bassitration (artist will give it to you)and do not let it dry out before it heals. I have sleeve tatts.

Answer 8

keep it clean, don't pick! Also your tattoist should have good tips for you.
Here are some resources : http://tattoo.about.com/od/tattooaftercare/

Answer 9

keep it covered for a few days with clean gauze...and keep putting vaseline on it