Taking Care of Your Tattoos

Proper aftercare is very important to your tattoo. I've seen some wicked cases of infection and scabbing, and many cases of tattoos prematurely fading and running. It's pretty simple to care for your tattoo, so why would anyone sit in the chair, spend the money, only to be left with something that is less than optimal? I don't get it. That's why you do your homework and browse through tons of tattoo designs before you make a decision.

Anyway, here's what might have been a nice tattoo, but it was somewhat ruined when it wasn't cared for:

Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sergiosviewfinder/285110163/

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Tattoo Aftercare: Caring for your New Tattoo

Now that you have a tattoo, it's critical to care for it properly in the weeks that follow. If you don't, you could wind up with an infection, tattoo scarring, faded or washed out colors -- in short, you could end up with a faded, disgusting piece of crap on your body. Aftercare is simple, and must not be ignored.

But if you ask 10 different artists how to properly care for a tattoo, you're likely to get 10 different opinions. When in doubt, do exactly as your tattoo artist recommends. The parlor might even give you a care sheet and some ointment you can use. If you weren't given definitive instructions, here are the most important points to keep in mind:

1. When you first get your tattoo, it will likely be covered with a plastic dressing. Some artists recommend removing this immediately, and some say you should wait at least 24 hours. The majority say to wait at least four to five hours, so that should be your guideline. Absent other directions from your parlor, remove the bandage after four to six hours.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your newly tattooed skin.
3. Use a mild antibacterial soap to clean the tattoo. You'll be washing away the grease of the ointment they put on you, lingering inks, and probably some blood. Continue gently washing the area until what you're washing feels like normal skin. Pat the area dry. Do not rub it or dry it traditionally.
4. Once the initial bandage is off, you will not bandage it again. You will want to keep it covered and protected from water, sun, and abrasions, but it should be loosely covered with light clothing.
5. Three to four times per day, apply a thin film on anti-bacterial / healing ointment to your tattoo. You will want to use enough to moisten the tattooed area, but not so much as to leave streaks or build up. Your goal is to moisturize the area only, so start with a small amount and work it in with your fingers.
6. For the first week, do your best to prevent your tattoo from getting wet -- this includes the shower. Sometimes it's unavoidable, but at the least, protect your tattoo from being submersed in water.

While your tattoo is healing:

• Do not expose it to sunlight.
• Do not submerse it in water (a bath) if you can prevent it.
• Don not get it wet if you can prevent it (this includes the shower).
• Do not bandage it.
• Absolutely do not submerse it in chlorinated water.
• Don't let it dry out completely.
• Keep it moisturized with healing cream.
• But don't keep it sloppily moist.
• Don't pick the scab.
• Use only approved moisturizers.
• Prevent scraping, brushing, or abrasions of any kind on the tattooed area.

A common problem is friction against the tattooed area. For example, if you get a tattoo on your hip, it might rub against your waist band. Or a tattoo on your butt might stick to the sheets at night! Try wearing loose-fitting clothing, and avoid direct contact with clothes if possible. At night, sprinkling a little baby powder on the bed can help to prevent sticking for certain tattoos.

Another common problem is itching. Whatever you do, do not pick the scabs or scratch the tattoo. Instead, use alcohol to relieve the itching, but don't allow your tattoo to dry out. You can also gently smack the area to relieve the itch.

Approved Ointments

I've been recommended or given three separate ointments from three different shops: A&D Ointment, Neosporin, and Bacitracin. Bacitracin is reported to be a very common and effective moisturizer to use.

There are also specialty lotions designed specifically for tattooing, and these include H2Ocean, Tattoo Goo, and Black Cat Tattoo Cleanser. These are really the Holy Grail of moisturizers. If you have a large, expensive tattoo, or a tattoo with deep colors that you want to protect, they are probably worth the investment.

Tattoo Goo Aftercare

Black Cat Tattoo Aftercare

H2Ocean Aftercare

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