New 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 That Bandage Alone!
Your artist took the care to cover up your 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 three hours. It is even
better if you can just keep the bandage on overnight. Excitement of having a
new tattoo will make you want to remove the bandage so you can show your friends,
but your friends will just have to wait until tomorrow morning. If you think
you just absolutely cannot resist the temptation to show off your new possession,
ask your artist if they can cover it with clear cellophane wrap, so the tattoo
can be viewed without the protective layer being removed.
Wash and Treat
After you
remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and
antibacterial soap to gently wash away any ointment and to completely clean
the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best
tool in this case. Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel
or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application
of ointment. Bacitracin would be the first choice in ointments, but if you don't
have any, A&D vitamin enriched ointment (medical grade - not the kind used
for diaper rash) is also acceptable. **Do not use Neosporin. This is a wonderful
product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos. Some can have an allergic
reaction to the Neosporin, which causes little red bumps. When the bumps go
away, so does the ink, and you end up with a polka-dotted tattoo.** Continue
this procedure at least twice a day for two or three days. After that, continue
to keep it clean, but you can use lotion when needed instead of ointment, to
keep the skin soft.
Scabbing and Peeling
After
a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. Excessive
scabbing indicates a poorly-done tattoo, but a little is sometimes normal and
no need to panic. You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins
to heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If the skin itches,
slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave
it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!
Protection from the sun
After
your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always want to protect it from
the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very
fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your tattoo with
a minimum 30SPF sunblock. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years,
and it will continue to be a source of great pride.
Information used from:
©2006-2007 Bruce Kurson, Savage and Heads Tattoos
