how often should you wash a tattoo?

Question

i got a tattoo yesterday!!! its so sexy! i love it! i just wana know how often you should wash it... with or without the liquid antiseptic soap??

Answer 1

the tattoo artist should have given you that info

Answer 2

Only wash it 1x-2x a day and apply luberderm lotion after the washings. Thats it. You don't want to over wash because it will prematurely start to peel and remove ink from washing it too much. I know people that were washing their new rats like 3-4x a day and they ended up ruining their tattoo and had to go back and get a TouchUp. When I got my tatt, I would mainly only wash it once a day and if it was a day were I was really dirty, I would wash it twice a day then but thats it. No more than twice a day. Also, when your drying it, let it air dry before applying lotion. Don't pat dry or rub it dry. Also, when your washing it, wash it with your hand. Do not use a wash cloth or exfoliator to wash it. Do this, and you won't need a touch up and you'll have a beautiful healed tattoo in a couple days to a week.

Answer 3

When i got my first tat, it was the middle of summer and as i was out working with horses every day, i was stressing that it would get dirty and ruined so i showered as soon as i got home from work, sometimes in the morning and then again before bed LOL Im not saying to do it that often, but if u do, it wont hurt at all. Obviously most people shower every day... and u could just wash it when u do this, unless u get the area dirty or sweaty or something like that. On extra sweaty days, as my tattoo was on my lower back and copped the most of it, i just a huggies baby wipe to clean the area, then applied the cream i was given so it didnt dry out. I just washed mine with normal body wash, the dove stuff, but there are a lot of shower gels these days that have anti bacterial in them. Just washing it lightly, not scrubbing, will do the job. Make sure when u towel off u just pat the tattoo area, no rubbing like u usually would. And remember to apply the cream suggested by ur tattooist to stop it from drying out. I was recommended Papaw Cream, which is all natural and now, 8 weeks later and healed perfectly, my tat is nice and shiny and didnt dry out at all. As long as u keep it moist, there will be no chance of wrecking it. Best of luck!! :)

Answer 4

The best thing to do is to ask whoever did the tattoo for you. Phone them and make sure. I think different places have different ideas on maintaining your tattoo. Possibly because they all use different inks, and that the inks respond differently to different situations. Rather make sure before you stuff up your beautiful new tattoo!!!

I can remember when I got mine, I was not allowed to bath for 3 days. The tattoo could not be submerged in water, so I showered instead. Apparently, you are not supposed to get the tattoo wet for a few days, while the ink dries properly. You then have to pat the tattoo dry, no rubbing. Once the tattoo has scabbed over, and the scabs have fallen off, you are A for away!

Enjoy!

Answer 5

Wash it gently twice a day, pat it dry don't rub it dry, and don't use anti-bacterial soap or fragranced soap.... and for crying out loud DO NOT USE NEOSPORIN like someone above suggested, Instead use A & D ointment. Anything that has anti-bacterial agents in it will try and force the ink out of your skin because naturally it doesn't belong there

Answer 6

when you first get it, you really want to make sure and keep it clean, you will have some drainage, its not like the ink is going to come off. just remember to keep after you wash it to keep the ointment on it, that's the important thing, OH and DONT use Vaseline. Washing it is okay don't scrub it with a towel or anything use your antibacterial soap with your hand.

Answer 7

I would suggest you wash it whenever you have your shower. No special wash needed. However, remember to towel dried it and apply antiseptic lotions on it for atleast two weeks. Once the two weeks are over, you can leave it as it is. Its there for life.

Answer 8

Day 1 When you get home, remove the bandage and wash tattoo with hot water and mild soap lathered in your hand.
Repeat washing until slippery feeling is mostly gone from tattoo.
Pat dry. Apply a thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment (e.g. Bacitracin, Neosporin -If bandage sticks to tattoo, soak in shower to remove.

-Avoid perfumed or deodorant soaps.
-Do not sleep with bandage on.
-If you are allergic to antibiotics, use vitamin A & D ointment.

Days 2 & 3 Wash tattoo with hot water and mild soap lathered in your hand, twice per day.Repeat washing until slippery feeling is mostly gone from tattoo.Pat dry. Apply a thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment after washing.Re-apply triple antibiotic ointment two more times per day.

Days 4 to 14 Wash tattoo once per dayApply a thin layer of mild hand lotion after washing.Re-apply mild hand lotion two more times per day.Do not expose tattoo to direct sunlight.Do not scratch or pick at tattoo.Do not immerse tattoo in water.Do not take tattoo advice from non-professionals.

Answer 9

wash when it gets dry....at least 4 times a day with hot water...blot dry....apply thin layer of AD.
If its on your foot or near private parts do this more often.

Answer 10

3 times a day for about 2 weeks, until it heals.