Tattoo Aftercare Tips - Taking Care of Your New Artwork

So, you finally got that tattoo you always wanted. Congratulations. No matter if you are a tattoo virgin, or a body suit owner, proper tattoo aftercare is critical. Once people get a couple under your belt, you learn what works for you, but for those that are new, here are a few tips.

Everyones skin is different, therefor tattoo aftercare is different on everyone. Its important to learn what works best for you. Chances are your artist will give you aftercare instructions, and I suggest you follow them until you learn something that works better. As each persons skin is different, each tattoo artists aftercare instructions are different.

From the time your tattoo is finished, to the time its fully healed is the most important time in making sure it stays looking great for a long time. Improper aftercare can lead to fading of color, scars forming on your piece, and other things that will affect the longevity of your artwork. Remember, what you have is an open wound, the same as a cut or scrape. It must be kept clean and free of bacteria that could lead to infection. Often times, at the conclusion of the tattoo process, the artist will bandage your new ink. Some put on a surgical type dressing, some wrap it in simple plastic sandwich wrap. Keep this bandage on over night for the first night.

Starting the next morning after your tattoo (most tattoo artists work at night, if you get your tattoo early in the morning, then start about 12-16 hours after your work) remove the artists bandage and discard it. Never put back on a dirty bandage. Wash your new tattoo gently under running water and antibacterial soap. I prefer Soft Soap brand, but Dial works as well (but smells funny), make sure that it is antibacterial or antimicrobial. Do not submerge your tattoo, or overly wet it. Just use your fingertips and some lightly running water to rinse off the petroleum jelly, blood, ink and other gooies that accumulated in the tattoo process. Then with a little antibacterial soap and your fingertips, gently wash the area. Be easy, this is an open wound, and your not trying to scrub the ink out, just a light rubbing. Rinse the soap and water off and pat dry with a clean paper towel (don't use a cloth towel because they often harbor bacteria and such that you do not want to introduce into an open wound).

This is where advise starts to differ. What I do is, after the initial washing, apply a thin layer of A&D ointment, but Neosporin works too. Something to help the tattoo heal and ward off buggies. Some artists recommend Vaseline, some lotion, you will hear a million different things. For me, A&D works great. Some artists will tell you that you can wrap your tattoo in plastic wrap to help keep it moist, I've had a little luck with this, but also some very bad luck. For a beginner, it is not advised. I had an artist tell me to keep my tattoo covered in Saran wrap for 3 days. I did so, not knowing better, and broke out very badly. Keep it unbandaged. The best thing to do is to keep a thin layer of A&D Ointment on it for the first 2 days. If it starts to feel stiff and dry, apply more ointment.

By the third day, your done with the A&D, time to switch to lotion. For the next 2 weeks, lotion will be your best friend. Personally, I love and exclusively use, Curel Healing Lotion (unscented-blue bottle). NEVER use any lotion with any scents, dyes, or additives. You want plain lotion. Your fruity bath and body works stuff wont work here, and could damage your ink. Continue washing your tattoo several times a day, but replace the A&D with lotion. If your tattoo is covered by clothing, you may need to apply the lotion every hour or so. Keep it moist. When ever its sore, dry, or tight... more lotion. Lotion, lotion, lotion.

Hopefully, if you are keeping it moist enough, you wont have any scabs, or very few. If scabs form however, its not the end of the world. Make sure you do NOT pick them off. Let them fall off on their own, no matter how tempted you are to pick at them. Thats how ink is lost in tattoos, if a scab is pulled off. You will have a dull patch in the middle of your otherwise bright ink. After a few days the tattoo will also start to peel. This is a good sign, and its also important that you do NOT peel the skin. Just let everything be as it is, and keep it moist. After about 2 weeks, your tattoo will be healed, although that can vary from person to person. You will know when your done, it will feel like normal skins.

Remember, these are just some guidelines, and what works for me. Follow your artists instructions, until you know what works best for you. Listen to your body, your artist, and keep your ink moist and you should be fine.