Steps for properly healing a tattoo?

Question

I'm about to get a tattoo, and I'd like to know in advance what the best way to heal it is? (I know the artist will recommend something, but I figure I'd better ask here in advance).

I've read that A+D Ointment is the best for healing the tattoo, if this is not the case, please tell me. If so, should I use the ointment for the entirety of my tattoo's healing? Or should I switch to a lotion after a while (if so, when)?

Also, how many times a day should I wash the tattoo?

Any other advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

OK I am amazed. You would think after all this time there would be some consensus on tattoo aftercare.
1. Antibiotic ointments are not a good idea - people are easily allergic to them and they think they are allergic to their tattoo.
2. Antibiotic ointments, Aquaphor, Vaseline, A &D ointment ALL contain petrolatum - we don't like that for healing tattoos (most also contain lanolin and many people are sensitive to these preparations because of that too)
3. Preparation H is for assholes not tattoos - get over it!


At least, thankfully, I did not see reference to plastic wrap a la Miami Ink!!! Plastic wrap is for left overs, not tattoos. It keeps the fluids on the surface of the tattoo that a nice dressing would absorb those first couple hours so there is NO SCABBING - that's right, NO scabbing. Scabbing is not normal in a well cared for tattoo. The slight peeling that should occur should be the top layer of skin that is mixed with the ink, similar to a sunburn peeling.

So your professional tattoo artist is going to tell you to take off the clean dressing and wash the area with an antibacterial soap and apply whatever healing agent they recommend SPARINGLY - this means barely covered. IF you apply too much, it will accumulate bacteria that gets stuck to it and the tattoo cannot get air. The tattoo healing agents may cost more but they are specially formulated for the healing tattoo so why not use them? You paid a lot of money for it, you went through pain for it, why not treat it the best way you can?

So yes, follow THEIR directions - not your friend's directions, not even MY directions - if a PROFESSIONAL artist did the work - respect his/her instructions.

Answer 2

Heavy petroleum based products can pull out the ink and blur the tattoo. It is advised you avoid Vaseline for that reason. THIN layers of A&D ointment (not cream) or Aquaphor are fine.

When you first get the tattoo, wash the area daily with a mild soap and warm water. Pat the area dry, do not rub it. Once dry, apply a VERY THIN layer of A&D or Aquaphor to the tattoo. Throughout the day if the tattoo looks dry, apply another thin layer. Over the first week or so, the area will peel and scab up. Do not pick at the peeling skin or scabs ( you can pull out ink and ruin the tattoo). Rather, continue to gently wash and apply ointment as needed. The artist may offer you a tube of tattoo goo or something that is sold in shop. Often those products are over priced and work just the same as cheap drug store products.

Once the area peels and the scabbing is done, apply non scented, non colored lotion to it daily to keep it moisturized. You will do this for another 1-2 weeks and then as needed.

That is what I've done for all of my tattoos and never once have I had a problem.

Answer 3

This is what my artist recommends and it has worked well for me. I also use A+D ointment...I tried some other ointment once and had a problem with the skin drying out overnight. You want to avoid that as the risk for scarring increases. What works for me...A+D until the skin starts to flake then switch to a fragrance free moisturizing lotion like Lubriderm. As far as washing, I use green liquid soap (in a pump bottle) 3-5 times a day until it starts to flake...just remember to pat the area dry,don't rub it. Good Luck!

Aftercare:
It is extremely important to take care of your tattoo. Without proper care of your tattoo or any open wound, you risk the chance of infection.


Before tending to your new tattoo, always wash your hands.
Gently remove the bandage after 30min. to one hour. There may be some ink on the bandage, don't worry this is normal. If the bandage gets stuck soak with cool water then remove.
Rinse tattoo with cool water. Gently lather with antibacterial liquid soap using your hands, not a washcloth, rinse. Do Not use bar soap or soap that is perfumed.
Pat the tattoo dry with a paper towel, Do Not let it air dry.
Using your clean fingertip, apply a thin layer of ointment, Do Not apply a thick layer as it may clog your pores.Do Not re-bandage. Do Not use Vaseline or Petroleum Jelly.
You should apply your ointment at least 5 times a day until your tattoo is healed. Make sure your tattoo is always moist, never let it dry out. If your fresh tattoo dries out you risk the chance of scabbing, which in turn may cause scaring or color loss. After a few days your tattoo may start flaking (It will look like peeling after a sunburn) this is normal. At this point you may start to use lotion such as Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion or Lubriderm.
Do Not pick or scratch off any flaking skin or scabs if present.
No swimming or tanning until your tattoo is fully healed. Healing times vary from 2-4 weeks.
Do Not soak your tattoo for prolonged periods of time. Showering is fine.
After your tattoo is healed do not forget to apply sunblock every time
you go swimming or tanning to prevent fading.

Answer 4

Personally, what I've done for the last tattoos and touch I got, and it worked nicely was this:

-Wash with non-scented soap atleast twice a day until the scab falls off.
-After washing I used a thin layer of Aquaphor.
-Occasionally during the day, if the tattoo felt tight, I'd apply another thin layer of aquaphor. A tattoo too dried out will crack, and that is very bad.
-Once the scab falls off I use Aveeno *also non-scented* lotion to help the skin still keep dry and heal faster. I do that until I think that it's good and healed.

I also avoid soaking the tattoo too much for the first week or two. My continual aftercare is Merry Hempster's tattoo balm stick. It's got UV protection, keeps the skin nice, and while it might be my mind, it just looks better when I use it.

Hope that helps a bit

Answer 5

I just got a tatt a year ago...on my wrist..


wash it once a day, do not put the soap on that tatt tho as it can cause irritation so get your hand soapy and put that above your tattoo and then rinse with room temp water so the soap runs over the tattoo only...and make sure to rinse well and let it air dry so the towel doesn't scratch at the ink

I used peperation h for 2-3 days and then switched to curel lotion for a few days more.
Do NOT use a scented lotion.

peperation h was ok, but I put it on too thick, and the thought of butt cream being on my arm wasn't pleasant....
so there's this stuff not sure what it's called but has cow print on it is suppose to be really good....a lot of people use polysporin but some complain about it....

don't take the ceran wrap off your arm for atleast 24 hours or you'll mess up the colour....and don't have a bath and leave your arm in the water too long.....

Sometimes tattoo's get itchy. Do not scratch them. the scabbing will take away lots of colour if you do....lightly run your finger over the spot until the itch goes away if you have to, but best to ignore the itch.

best of luck!!

Answer 6

This is fine it happens to almost everyone just keep up with what you are doing the scabing will go away in a while if you can could you answer my tattoo question I'm wanting a new one.

Answer 7

I usually let mine dry heal for a couple of days. then on the third i start to apply aquaphor healing ointment (like a&d) or lubriderm lotion.

always wash your hands with dial or anti-bacterial sop before and after handling you tattoo.

**if this is your first i would reccommend that you use aquaphor from the start. make sure you only apply a thin layer and not a thick greasy layer like i have seen some people do. just enough to keep it moist. too much moisture will soak out the color of the ink.

once most of the peeling process has taken place you can switch to lubriderm lotion. it's not as greasy. if you use any other kind of lotion, make sure it is unscented.

do not expose you healing tattoo to direct sunlight or environmental conditions. let it heal completely.

right after you get it i suggest taking midol. yes i did say midol, the ladies menstrual pill. this will help you with the pain and soreness and will also reduce swelling as it is know for reducing water retention.

trust me on this one! i have over 34 hours on my back and that's a lot for someone that is 5'0" and 110lbs.

make sure whatever design you choose is unique to you and your personality.

p.s. DO NOT SCRUB YOUR TATTOO!!! are you crazy why would you want to lose color and definition on that masterpiece? all your scabbing should fall off by itself. YES, it will itch and it will itch bad! if you can sit through the needle work don't screw it up by scratching or scrubbing it off!!!

Answer 8

You'll get lots of different opinions on this..but I'll tell you what worked for me (I have 4). For the first few days wash, wash, wash it as much as you can with UNSCENTED anti-bacterial hand soap - I used liquid Dial. I literally washed mine about 15 times a day. Sounds excessive yeah, but they healed beautifully!

Then use an unscented hand lotion on the area. I did the A&D route with my first 2 tats, then did the other routine and it healed faster without ANY itching.

Best of luck..

Answer 9

My husband just had a tattoo 6 months ago. The tatto artist advised him not to use A&D ointment or Vasaline. He was to just put a small (pea size) amount of regular lotion on it twice a day. Just a very thin layer. He also told him not to really wash it with soap just take a shower and let the water run over it a little. His tattoo heald very nice.

Answer 10

Thank God for tatt_brat, that was the best answer I've seen concerning tattoo aftercare.