Tattoo Aftercare

Now, you have your fresh new tattoo, and you want to take good care of it! From this point on, your artist is not responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo, if you don't take proper care of it. It is very important that you follow these guidelines. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster if the proper aftercare is not taken.

Leave Bandage Alone!

Your artist took the care to cover up our new tattoo for a very good reason- to keep air-born bacteria from invading your wound, yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of 2 hours. Excitement of having a new tattoo will make you want to remove the bandage so you can show your friends your friends will just need to wait.

Wash and Treat!

After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial soap to gently wash away any ointment, blood and/or plasma and to completely clean the area. Do not use a wash cloth, your hand is best.Then pat dry with a clean towel. Let air dry for 10 minutes. Follow with a very thin coat of Tattoo ointment or Aquaphor which you can find at Wal-mart Pharmacy.

Scabbing and Peeling

Everyone heals differently as well as different areas that are tattooed heal differently. You may notice some scabbing, and eventually peeling, don't panic, that's normal. No picking or scratching, you will pull color right out of it. If it itches, try slapping it.

DO NOT USE Neosporin. Tattoos can have allergic reaction with this ointment, which are little red dots, and when the dots disappear so does the ink underneath them. DO NOT USE Vaseline or petroleum jelly. This will bleach the ink out of your skin.

After 3-5 days of ointment, continue to keep it clean, you may switch to a non-scented lotion if you are peeling. If the tattoo still has scabs, continue with the ointment.

Bathing, Showering, Hot Tub and Swimming

Yes you can shower, its ok to get your new tattoo wet, but don't soak it. Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, avoid this for 2 weeks. Swimming- whether it be a pool, fresh water or salt water- should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.