I got my first tattoo last night, it is on my left lower hip, it did not bleed hardly at all. Maybe two drops if that. Is that normal? Also my other question is, when I left, the guy didn't give me any instructions on how to take care of my tattoo besides don't soak in the tub or shower long and keep it clean..??? Ok, that wasn't enough detail of how to take care of it, I know I should of asked him for more detail but I didn't. Can anyone give me intructions on how to take care of it? Thanks!
2007-03-04 04:40:32 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Beauty & Style ➔ Skin & Body ➔ Tattoos
So now that you are likely confused by everyone meaning well with their own particular advice I will probably cause more confusion but I generally get best answer with this advice:
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 a**holes not tattoos - much has been written about this by many over the years and in some forms it contains live yeast cells...ewwww on open skin.
4. No baby powder, corn starch or any such "pwdering." No Desitin or similar products that gunk up the skin with heavy zinc oxide.
5. No plastic wrap ever! 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.
Most tattoo artists seem to prefer unscented mild lotions - they are looking for products with a minimum of ingredients - some like H2Ocean products, some like Tattoo Goo (contrary to reports, there is nothing adverse in this product) Coco butter is often used as well as Olive oil body butter.
I happen to give out little pillow packs of Ink Fixx ointment for the first couple days - then they can switch to the mild lotions. We always give something to the client to use because it is not always easy for them to go right to the store to buy things.
I have even seen people use just plain old Crisco in a very thin layer. Nothing wrong with that either.
They are also given WRITTEN directions for after care. There is NO reason for a professional tattoo artist NOT to do this for their client.
So now that you have no bandages, wash with an antibacterial soap and apply whatever healing agent you choose 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.
Overall, keep it clean and don't scratch it. It will go through some peeling and other changes over the next couple of weeks. Keep dirty hands and strangers off of it!
So in the end, take what you can from everyone's advice here as no one really has the magic answers in all cases. Most of us knows what worked for them, or works for our clients in general if we are artists. Good luck with your new tattoo!
2007-03-04 06:58:02 · answer #1 · answered by tatt_bratt 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You wouldn't suit a lip ring like that... you look too 'delicate' for one. Try a stud there or a nose piercing would look good on you. Love your eye colour...I'm jealous! Well I think you should really think through the half sleeve tattoo before you get it done. Like start with a small one and gradually make it full, before you are confident you actually want one and wont regret it. Personally, I think tattoos should personality. I don't think the tattoo would stop you from becoming an alternative music journalist, but maybe for your interview for a job like that, cover it up so it all seems more professional. All my best :) E-mail me if you want to know anything else :)
2016-03-28 23:20:25 · answer #2 · answered by Beth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
PROFESSIONAL ADVICE: IE i am an actual artist not someone who just made their own advice. If you have ANY questions feel free to mail me and i will get you a timely answer.
NEVER use bacitracin, neosporin, or any petroleum product. It will pull colour away from your tattoo and damage it. Tattoo goo is overpriced and does not work. Do not cover it while healing EVER. You are preventing the air from getting to it and letting it breathe therefore impeding the healing process.
Use only plain cocoa butter, a little prep h, or unscented white lotion sparingly. If the area is shiny after you apply pat it off with a paper towel. The best time to use it is when you feel your skin tightening up (you'll know). Do not put it on for at least 4 hours after showering so your pores have time to close (less likely to get icky zits on it)
Less is more when healing a tattoo. It is perfectly acceptable practice to do nothing and your tattoo will heal fine.
Use antibacterial soap in the shower everyday and your tattoo should heal fine within 3 weeks.
2007-03-04 05:31:08 · answer #3 · answered by Deb P 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
first start washing it atleast twice a day with some unscented, mild soap. Or use some Anti-bacterial soap. let the warm water run over the tattoo not letting the water hit the tattoo directly just let the water rinse over it. pat dry then apply a thin layer of A&D ointment. keep it open do not put a bandage over it again because this can hold the air from letting the tattoo breath. do that for atleast 2 weeks then start using some mild lotions just to keep it moisturized.
2007-03-04 05:28:17 · answer #4 · answered by Black Betty 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Do NOT keep it covered for 2 weeks with a bandage lke the first person said....you need to let it breathe in order for it to heal. Since you got it done last night...take the bandage off and go ahead and take a shower. when washing it..use your hand and non scented antibacterial soap to wash it. then when drying...only pat, do not rub it. Apply Aquaphor (all artists will tell you different things to use) or unscented lotion 3x day. After several days, your tattoo will begin to itch...DO NOT SCRATCH IT. Slap it if needed to help with the itch a little. When it peels...don't pick at it...keep up the same procedure for 3 weeks and there ya go...
2007-03-04 05:01:49 · answer #5 · answered by kristina807 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋
for the first two days or so, use a petroleum based ointment, such as (in order of preference) aquaphor, tattoo goo, A&D, bacitracin, neosporin... you should clean the area about 6 times within the first two days. around the third day start using a glycerin based lotion such as curel or lubriderm (pref without fragrance). apply the lotion around 10 times a day, or whenever it starts to itch (DO NOT apply a thick layer. make sure it is completely massaged into skin. otherwise it will produce a bubbly scab). stay out of the sun. don't take a bath or go swimming. don't let very strong water from the shower beat down on tattoo. when you shower, don't use a wash cloth or anything besides your soapy hand to clean the area. make sure you clean away all the ointment or lotion from previous application. don't scratch.
2007-03-04 05:27:58 · answer #6 · answered by hunting wabbit 4 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Mine didn't bleed very much at all, but you should really phone the studio you did it at and ask about after care. You can't just take advice from anyone, because it differs from studio to studio (because they use different ink and methods etc.) Remember it's for ever so if u don't take care of it now, it's gonna look horrible
2007-03-04 05:16:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
It is perfectly normal for it not to have bled much given the location. Of course it varies from person to person, but a tattoo is medically like a cross between a papercut and a sunburn, and not all small cuts bleed. As for details for treating it ....
Once the bandage is removed, wash with cold water and soap. A shower is fine then. After washing in the shower and cleaning the tattoo, keep your body turned so water runs on an area other than the tattoo area. Do not let water pound on your tattoo for the first two weeks.
In a few days, your tattoo will begin to peel off, much like sunburn peels. Don’t be alarmed, this is entirely normal.
Use Bacitracin, Triple Antibiotic, A & D or Tattoo Goo right from the beginning of care. DO NOT use Neosporin as it draws out the ink even though it’s a good antibiotic. My personal favorite for myself is A & D for 4 days until tattoo beings to shed the top layers of skin, then Tattoo Goo for the next week and then I use Tattoo Goo for maintenance. Keep the area covered with a light coating of ointment for 5 to 6 days. Then switch to a skincare product formulated for tattoo care and maintenance such as Tattoo Goo. DO NOT let a hard scab form; keep the tattoo moist for first seven (7) days, 24/7. On rare occasions people can have allergies to any of these products (Bacitracin has changed its formula several times and people can be allergic to it). Check with your physician if you have any questions or doubts. Bright red irritated skin can mean either an allergy or infection. It is fine to air out your tattoo for about a half-hour with no ointment from time to time.
Stay out of hot tubs, bath tubs, lakes, ocean, etc for two weeks. Tattoos if soaked, can loose ink.
DO NOT SCRATCH A TATTOO. If the tattoo itches, wash it and put on a fresh layer of ointment or salve. To relieve itching, slapping gently is also OK.
If you must dress up for work and the office, it is OK to cover your tattoo with lotion and then wrap it up in saran wrap under your clothes. Do not leave saran wrap on longer than 10 hours, or bacteria can grow. But, if you have a tattoo in the small of your back, for instance, cover with saran wrap at work then remove and leave uncovered until the next da
2007-03-04 04:49:00 · answer #8 · answered by haveahellofaniceday 2 · 2⤊ 6⤋
Triple antibiotic ointment is a must. Cover it with gauze so it doesn't rub against your clothing. My husband said not to go back to this guy who gave you the tattoo. If he didn't tell how to take care of it, then he's not a very good tattoo artist.
2007-03-04 04:51:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
i used nappy rash cream or tattoo goo or e45 cream. you could always phone up a tattoo studio and pretend youve never had one before and ask about aftercare. Just dont soak it for a week when you wash it be very gentle and pat dry. Use all your normal soap products as your body is used to them. And apply cream 3 times a day. Or more when it gets itcy (dnt scratch it). And keep it out of direct sunlight!
Hope this helps
2007-03-04 04:47:52 · answer #10 · answered by kimlovesbarney 3 · 1⤊ 7⤋