How to Care for Your New Tattoo

Getting a tattoo is a very fun and exciting experience. After you have picked a good tattoo artist and a design that you like, you are all set to get the tattoo done. Once the tattoo is on your body, it is there for the rest of your life. It is important to properly care for your tattoo so that you do not damage it and leave an ugly mark on your body.

A good tattoo artist will apply an antiseptic ointment and clean the tattoo as they are creating it. They know that by doing this they are taking the first steps to ensure that the tattoo, which is an open wound, heals correctly. At the end of the tattoo the artist will likely give it one last good cleaning before covering it with the ointment and putting some sort of bandage on it, which will usually be made out of clear plastic wrap.

After the completion of your tattoo, the artist should explain to you in great detail exactly what you should do to take care of it. They may even give you a list printed out so that you do not forget any important steps in caring for your tattoo. If they do not give you a list, you may want to write down what they say so that you do not forget. It is not hard to take care of your tattoo as long as you know the dos and don'ts.

One of the most basic steps in caring for your tattoo is giving it enough time to be dry. You should never return from the tattoo parlor and jump in the shower. You should clean the area every few hours, but be sure to keep it dry for a few days. Cleaning your hands before caring for your tattoo is very important; otherwise any dirt on your hands could be transferred to the tattoo causing it to become infected. Also, the running water on the tattoo could put you in more pain as well.

You may want to take a trip to the store to get some antibacterial ointment if the tattoo artist did not supply you with some. The ointment will help keep the tattoo clean, and you should continue to use it for the first few days. You should apply new ointment every time it starts to dry. Be careful to not apply too much pressure to the tattoo or you may damage it. It is suggested to stay away from regular soap for a few days as well. You should only need the ointment for just about a week. After that your tattoo will be on its way to fully healed and should be healthy. After you discontinue the use of the ointment, you should still continue to apply lotion to it to keep it moist. Stick to unscented lotions because the fragrance can irritate the skin.

If your tattoo is healing properly it will likely look like a large scab. Be careful to not pick at it, as you can damage the design of your tattoo, making all of your efforts to keep it clean worth it. If the scab begins to itch, do not scratch it, but try putting the ointment on it to help with the itching.

A tattoo can be an awesome thing as long as you give it the proper care. It can be a unique way to express yourself for the whole world to see for the rest of your life. As long as you apply the ointment and are sure to keep it clean and protected for the first few weeks, you are bound to have an artistic addition to your body that will make everyone jealous.