Tattoo care questions...?

Question

I'm looking at getting a single small arm band tattoo in a plain black color. I haven't visited a tattoo parlor yet, but I will be soon. I just have simple questions about tattoo safety precautions and care. What type of complications should I be aware of before I get a tattoo...risks, diseases, etc...? How do I care for the tattoo after I get it? How often should I get the tattoo recolored?

If you can think of any additional info, please feel free to add that as well. Thanks!

Answer 1

These questions have been answered MANY MANY times here in Answers - simply do a search - you can read for hours. Seriously. You will get a more diverse group of answers than from just asking all this at once here.

Answer 2

I have 16 tattoos. Wherever you go to get the tattoo, make sure they use new needles. If they don't open the material infront of your face, then they are hiding something. I made that mistake once and caught mononucleosis. (Kissing infection so they call it) After you get the tattoo, they will tell you how to take care of it. You don't want the tattoo to be in the sun for a couple weeks. After it heals completely you go back for a touch up to the same parlor. They should do it for free. I got my first tattoo when i was 18 (I'm 22 now) and I haven't had to get any of my tattoos recolored....yet. So it depends on how well your tattoo is done. The only tattoo I need to get re done is the one that I caught the mono from.


You tattoo will scab.. don't pick off the scabs. let them fall off by themselves. If you pick at them, you may loose the color.
Don't put lotion on the tattoo while it's healing that will actually dry up the tattoo and you need to keep moist.

The artist will suggest the best method.

Answer 3

don't use any soap at all. this is a common misconception. soap dries out your skin and produces thicker scabs which yield poor results. I have a back of the neck tattoo, and since it's kind of hard to see for yourself what's going on without a mirror, I just wore my hair up for a few days until it developed a scab. don't use compresses on a scab; this simply prolongs healing times and could potentially lift ink. different people's skin will heal differently- some may end up with a thick scab while doing everything right, and others won't. I always end up with a hefty crust despite vigilant care, and all my 6 tattoos look just great. i have beard that bacitracin is detrimental to tattoo health- try organic, virgin coconut oil; it's anti inflammatroy, anti fungal and anti viral properties help ward off infection while providing supreme moisture simultaneously. these are all methods that I have found to work most beneficially; even my oldest tattoo is very dark with crisp lines.

Answer 4

A good tattoo parlor will advise you on how to take care of it. Here's the skinny though.

Your skin will be sensitive for the first 24 hours or so. You will need to keep it covered for at least 12-24 hours after your tattoo. You will see that your tattoo will start to flake and be itchy after you get it. Have some neosporin on hand to help with this each time you have the urge to itch. It will heal the skin, even though you still might have some flakey skin come off. Try your best not to itch it because it will cause the ink to look uneven.

Do not expose your tattoo to too much sunlight or in the tanning bed either as this will cause it to fade. Make sure you DEFINITELY put sunblock on it.

I've had my tattoo for 7 years and probably would have gotten it retouched two years ago. I would think whenever you observe it looking dull or faded you should get it retouched. Enjoy your tat!

Answer 5

Complications include infection, contact with blood-born pathogens, allergic reaction to certain ink. (usually yellow and red, not black). Be POSITIVE the needle is clean and that you go to a PRO. The shops sell cream, such as Tattoo Sauce, that numb the pain somewhat and moisturize and protect the tattoo. Avoid the sun until it's healed And, don't take a shower for 24 hours. Also, use sunscreen to prevent fading after the tattoo is healed. Protect that work of art! :)

Answer 6

Depending on the individual's care and reaction to the process, it may take from one to two weeks average time to heal. If you want more detailed instructions, read the article from the blog shared below

Answer 7

What worked best for me was to wash it several times a day with mild soap and water. Apply and don't laugh Preparation H ointment not the cream after each washing. This is what my tatoo parlor recommends. Believe it or not it helps a great deal with the itching. It also keeps the tatoo moist as if it dries out it tends to tighten and pull which can be uncomcortable. Do not bandage it as the tatoo ink will bleed out into the bandage. As for recoloring I have had my artwork for more than ten years and have not had to recolor them. They have faded slightly but not enough to bother with.

Answer 8

The only complication you really need to worry about is allergies. My brother got a tattoo and he had a slight allergic reaction - It was just really itchy and red. He took his allergy meds though as was ok (he has TONS of allergies so this is a rare situation - I don't know anyone else who has had this problem). If you go to a clean shop, there is no worry about infection. Your tattoo artist will advise you on how to care for the tattoo after you get it. I used neosporin on mine for a week then switched to a mild lotion after that for another month. You don't really need to worry about recoloring the tattoo. It should be fine for decades.

Answer 9

First of all check the needle - It should be taken out of the wrapper in front of you, so you know you are the only one who used it.

After the tattoo - They should give you an ointment to put over for a week or so.

I didn't recolour mine, and I had them for few years now. But mine are colour.

Answer 10

u need to wash it a few ties a day with anti bacterial soap and pat it dry then you have to keep it moist for a week or so with triple antibotic cream, after that you need to apply a good lotion like aveeno several times per day for another week or so until it is fully healed, the first few times u wash it u will see some ink but that is normal.....make sure the tattoo place uses new needles and sanitizes everything, as long as you dont have too much sun exposure it should last for years and years....oh yea and do not go swimming in cholorine pool for at least 3 weeks it will fade the tat