Tattoo Aftercare...?

Question

So I finally got the tattoo done, looks so beautiful!! But now I'm wondering about after care, in terms of showering and bathing. Can I put soap over it in the shower, what about water temperature, what about face cloths to clean the area? I have been getting different advice all over the place, so I thought I'd clarify it all with people who ACTUALLY HAVE TATTOOS!

If I use my fingertips to wash it, how am I going to use my fingertips to get the soap off the tattoo? That's going to be really tricky!

For anyone that's interested:
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/3771/save2sd6.jpg

Answer 1

I have nine tattoos, this is what I do for aftercare:

NEVER let the tattoo run under water from the shower head-anything that is pressurized will hurt in the healing process.

Don't use a face cloth on the tattoo-you don't want infection!

Use a soap with no deodorants or perfumes-something like Dial works great!

Wash your tattoo twice per day, and lotion it after that. When you put on lotion, don't drown it, just put enough on so it won't dry out. You can use a little bit of lotion throughout the day, but remember not to use too much!

As always, don't soak your tat in a hot tub, pool, bath tub, etc.

Keep it out of the sun, rays will take color out.

Good luck, I hope this helps!

Answer 2

Wash and Treat After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and antibacterial soap to gently wash away any ointment and to completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of ointment. Bacitracin would be the first choice in ointments, but if you don't have any, A&D vitamin enriched ointment (medical grade - not the kind used for diaper rash) is also acceptable. **Do not use Neosporin. This is a wonderful product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos. Some can have an allergic reaction to the Neosporin, which causes little red bumps. When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you end up with a polka-dotted tattoo.** Continue this procedure at least twice a day for two or three days. After that, continue to keep it clean, but you can use lotion when needed instead of ointment, to keep the skin soft.

Scabbing and Peeling After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. Excessive scabbing indicates a poorly-done tattoo, but a little is sometimes normal and no need to panic. You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!

Protection from the sun After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always want to protect it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sunblock. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years, and it will continue to be a source of great pride.

Answer 3

After getting a tattoo it is normal to freak out about germs and what not, but the answer is simple: When in the shower gently clean the area with anti bacterial soap DoNot use a wash cloth, wash clothes are breading grounds for bacteria and you do not want that on your tattoo Gently clean the area with your finger tips make sure those are clean, rinse and pat dry wih paper towel or clean towel, (Never rub the tattoo, it may itch but thats apart of the healing process), after apply what was given to you by the artist. Enjoy Your Tattoo

Answer 4

I got my tattoo 2 weeks ago - my guy told me to wash it that night before i went to bed with unscented, plain soap then to wash it again in the morning. Then not again! Do not rub on it with a wash cloth. You want the peeling to come off on its own as much as possible. In the shower, it will ultimately get soap on it while you are washing....no biggie...Just don't put soap on it directly. Hot water will HURT on it for a couple days. Mine was very sensitve to the water temp. You may have to take cooler showers than normal for a few days. I use cocoa butter. Just make sure it stays moist and doesn't dry out.

Answer 5

My tattoo simply completed therapy and I had no disorders and it appears satisfactory. My tattoo artist wrapped my tattoo in a lubriderm bandage, which I used to be informed to hold on for a complete week. The bandage used to be very useful on the grounds that I did not ought to wash it or observe ointment. This is anything new in tattooing so now not many locations do it but. After I took it off I used to be instructed to clean it in anti-bacterial non-scented cleaning soap and observe a perfume loose lotion each three-four hours. I used Aveeno every day moisturizing lotion. My tattoo is healed now however I preserve to position lotion on it daily and night time to hold it lookin' sharp! well success!!

Answer 6

ok first of all, you don't want to let too much water rest on it, take quick showers while it's healing. you need to use antibacterial soap(like the amber colored Dial antibacterial) to clean it 4 times a day for the first 2-3 days; twice a day after that for the next 3 weeks or so, with ONLY your hands no fibrous material, pat it dry gently with a paper towel, let it air dry for another couple of minutes, then put a layer (not too much) of Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Healing lotion on it, blot any extra off, keep it moisturized, but not too wet, this will cause fading. I don't think you'll want hot water coming down on it, and my artist told me to use cool water on it. I followed all this and mine healed perfect.

Answer 7

don't wash it with a wash cloth or sponge or anything. definitely just use your fingertips and some antibacterial soap. i keep a cup in the shower and fill it up, pour it down my back to wash off the soap until it is healed. good luck!!

Answer 8

Wait for a tattoo artist to answer this question. But I'll tell you don't even think about putting Vaseline on it. The person who said that is a Moran.

Answer 9

I don't have tattoos, but I have to tell you, I'm always surprised to see this question on here because everyone I know who has them got specific aftercare instructions from the artist. There are several tattoo artists that come on here though, so someone will tell you.

Answer 10

Just to add - make sure that before you do anything to it throughout the day that you wash your hands first!