Tattoo Aftercare

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Tattoo artists have various ways and preferred methods of caring for new tattoos. Normally an artist will hand you some instructions or verbally tell you steps you should take to prevent possible infection and to protect your tattoos during the healing process.  Some recommend keeping your new tat covered for at least 24 hours while others believe exposing the area to the air is the better way.  Most agree to avoid contact with water or minimum contact over the first 2 weeks.  tattoo aftercare

One thing agreed on, leave any scabbing alone and avoiding the sun as both of these may hurt your tattoo and cause color loss.  Most importantly, is keeping the area clean.  Various products are recommended although A & D and bacitracin are probably the most recommended followed by moisturizer free from perfumes.  In recent years, specific product lines have sprung up for after care.

These are the instructions I have used - given to me by my tattoo artist:

  • After leaving your artist, keep the tattoo covered for a minimum of 1 hour and no more than eight hours.
  • After you have removed the covering, wash the area around the tattoo and the tattoo with mild soap and water.
  • Gently rinse away all surface blood, ointment and surrounding soap and blot dry - no rubbing.
  • Do not apply alcohol, Neosporin, peroxide, betadine to tattoo.
  • Do not rub, pick at, or scratch your tattoo.
  • Apply a thin layer of Bacitracin or A and D Ointment.
  • Do this four to six times a day to avoid letting the tattoo dry out.
  • After this stage, depending on the rate of healing - everyone is different - switch to a high quality, fragrance free lotion such as Keri, Aveeno, or Eucerin - keeping the skin moist but not wet.
  • Do not expose tattoos to sunlight for at least 2 weeks.
  • Do not soak in a bathtub, hot tub, lakes, pools, etc for the first 2 weeks.
  • If you see any signs of infection, contact your doctor

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