Care For a New Tattoos

Choosing a reputable tattoo artist is only part of the equation. Even the best tattoo can be ruined by poor after care. Guidelines vary from artist to artist, but here's an overview of what you need to do to keep your tattoo clean, bold and clear.
Listen to your tattoo artist. If you've done your homework and chosen a good tattoo artist, he or she will provide detailed instructions and you should follow them carefully. Think of your tattoo as having a warranty; if you don't follow the artist's instructions, you might void the warranty and he or she won't give you free touch-ups.

1.Leave the bandage on. You should leave it on anywhere between two hours to 24 hours. Make sure a thick, absorbent, non-stick ABD wound dressing is used. The bandage is there to protect your tattoo from airborne bacteria, which can penetrate through your broken skin. 2.Soak the bandage with warm water when removing it. This is optional, but recommended if the bandage is stuck to your tattoo and offers resistance. 3.Wash the tattoo. Most artists recommend lukewarm water and mild, unscented liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap.Use your hands (not a wash cloth) and gently remove all traces of blood so it doesn't scab. (don't rub) dry with a clean towel or a paper towel. 4.After the initial washing, don't use antibacterial soaps anymore. 5.Some tattoo artists recommend letting the tattoo "air out" for about ten minutes before going to the next step. 6.Apply ointment. Many tattoo artists advise that you use ointment for 2-3 days. Ointment lasts longer than lotion, reducing the number of times you need to apply it and thus lessening the amount of rubbing. Apply a thin layer that's just enough to make the tattoo shine or else you'll suffocate it. Apply it twice a day. Switch over to lotion when your tattoo artist says so.

Continue washing and applying ointment or lotion as directed by your tattoo artist until the tattoo heals. The tattoo might look cloudy for a few days as it heals. This is called "onion skin." You'll know you have "onion skin" when the tattoo looks clearer when wet. Your tattoo is likely to peel, with small flakes of colored skin falling off. Don't pull off the flakes, or else you might pull the ink out. Let them fall out on their own. This is likely to happen within the first 4-7 days. There might be a second flaking, this time clear, within two weeks. Full healing will take 4-6 weeks.

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