Whats the best way to look after a tattoo??

Answer 1

Aftercare is often a matter of opinion, and certain people may have been healing it the wrong way and essentially it has healed fine. Stay away from any petroeum based products (neosporin, bacitracin, vaseline) theyre going to upset your tattoo like kristina said. A&D contains zinc oxide which will fade and milk out your colours, not the best choice. Tattoo goo, sea salt cranberry spray blah blah blah are all totally pointless and will not help your tattoo, theyre just expensive impulse buys for dumb people who know no different for aftercare. Non scented white lotion works perfectly fine, plain old cocoa butter lotion is best (the non alcohol kind). Prep H cream (not ointment) works good for larger colour pieces or oens that are prone to swelling and itching. (Do not go overboard with the H just once or twice a day is fine).

Now after selecting your choice of lotion put a little on it 2 /3 times a day until it is healed. A little means if its shiny after you've rubbed it in take a paper towel and just dab it off. Your tattoo should never be "moist". The best time to put it on is when you feel your skin tightening up (you'll kno trust me), if you're unsure if its not enough/too much don't put anything on. Less is more when healing a tattoo. You cannot hurt it by putting nothing on it (but you'll be itchy and annoyed) but you can hurt it by putting too much or junk on it.

Long term just make sure you use plenty of sunscreen whenever you're in the sun or risk fading and aging your tattoo prematurely.

If at any point you feel there is something wrong with your tattoo go to your artist. They have the right everyday training and knowledge to be certian what is wrong with your tattoo.

Answer 2

I'm just after a 7 hour/3 session tattoo. I have another 3 which all scabbed and faded BUT NOT THIS ONE. Get a cream call "BEPANTHEN". Its for nappy rash in toddlers and you can get in in BOOTS for around £4.00.

DAYS 1-5
1)Wash the tattoo with Dettol soap to make sure both it - and hour hands - are clean. Apply cream all over tattoo, not too heavily.

2) cover area with normal household cling film to retain the moisture. It is essential you keep the tattoo from drying out otherwise you will lose colour. Repeat steps 1-2 twice a day.

DAYS 5-10
3) Use same methods as before keeping cling film on when only when comfortable. At this stage the tattoo is almost healded so the permanent use of the cling film can be with drawn. I kept mine on for the whole 10 days though and it never scabbed once and still looks as good as it did once it was finished.

Hope that helped.

Answer 3

If You have just had it done follow these steps remember that a new tattoo is an open wound and must be allowed to breath and treated very carefully.

Wash every morning and evening with mild anti-bacterial hand wash

After washing it gently pat dry with a CLEAN towel.

Then apply Preparation H The gel version available from good chemists. Other people use sudocream and other non scented moisturisers but this prep h stuff is the best as it reduces swelling amazingly.

Apply Prep H to it 3 times a day until the scabs have come off

After apply a non scented high SPF sun screen to it everyday.

Keep it well out of the sun or the ink will fade if you wish to display it keep it covered in sun screen to keep that colour as best as possible.

Enjoy !

Answer 4

Use something like A & D Ointment (for diaper rash and chapped skin) for the first two days after you get the tattoo. This will help it heal and keep it from scabbing over. It will scab and peel, this is normal, do NOT peel it yourself, it will damage the color. On the third day and from there on out, use a non-fragrance, no color lotion, I like Nivea and apply generously. Keeping the tattoo moisturized will keep it lookin good! Keep it out of the sun for the first year to prevent discoloring and don't be disappointed if you need to get a touchup, it happens to the best of us. Some people's skin just doesn't accept the tattoo right the first time! Good luck!

Answer 5

Wash it with Dial Soap---and use A&D ointment to keep it moist. Pat the wound area dry after showering. Apply a small amount of A&D to the area--Healing process can take up to 2-3 weeks to heal depending on how large the tattoo'd area is.

Don't scratch, pick or pull away the scabbing that occurs as a result of getting a tattoo. Remember this is a wound and must be taken care of as a wound.

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Whats the best way to look after a tattoo??

Answer 7

Saw these when I took a quick glance at your answers...
DON'T USE pure VASOLINE, NEOSPORIN or BABY LOTION

Vasoline - pulls the color
Neosporin - attacks the ink and therefore causes fading
Baby Lotion - Lotion like Johnson's and Johnson's are scented....you do not want scented lotion...

Basically, a new tattoo is a wound....wash it 2x a day, 3x(max) with your hand and unscented antibacterial soap...do not rub the tattoo to dry it...pat it. Keep up the washing procedure and keep your tattoo moisturized with unscented lotion for 3 weeks after.

If it itches...DO NOT SCRATCH IT...you will potentially damage your tattoo....slap it.

You should have received aftercare instructions from your artist...

Answer 8

You need to ensure you keep it clean by sponging it gently with a little soap and water. You also need to keep it from drying out, use haemorrhoid cream or something like savlon. Most tattoo artists will give you information when you have your tattoo done.

Answer 9

i got my tattoo 3 weeks ago and its fully healed now... you should wash it at least 2 a day with non fragranced soap and moisturise it but dont put to much moisturiser because the scab gets soggy and it will take longer to heal you only need a thin layer of moisturiser. also after it is healed use high spf sun protection because even after it has healed the sun will fade it

Answer 10

best way to look after tattoo keep it protected till the scab falls off then it will be fine . just moisturise it for a few days .... after that it will look great !!!!