Tattoo Aftercare
Here is a basic run down. Don't baby your new tattoo. Keep it clean and you'll be fine:
The most important thing to remember is that your new tattoo needs to breathe if you want it to heal properly. It is an open wound and the first couple of days are the most important!
Don't over moisturize, don't pick or scratch, don't go jumping in public waters with an open wound!
Keep your bandage on over night.
Jump in the shower and remove the bandage that following morning. With your clean hands, wash the tattoo with a mild antibacterial soap and warm water.
Do not scrub the tattoo. Gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean soft cloth or just let it air dry. Keep it simple.
Skip a day or two, then start applying a scented free lotion of your choice. A VERY thin layer of moisturizer will do, never over moisturize, remember your tattoo needs to breathe.
- Applying lotion to a tattoo is not even necessary, however if you decide to use it, it is very important that you do it in moderation.
- (Using barely anything at all, once or twice a day will be fine. Less is MORE).
During your tattoos healing process (roughly 2-3weeks, people vary): It will scab, it will look unappealing, it will itch, or it might not, ...it probably won't be fun, but that's a tattoo! Do NOT pick or scratch it. It's a tattoo, let it do what it does: let it heal.
Keep your tattoo:
Clean and Dry
You must keep your tattoo clean. With your clean hands, gently wash the tattoo with a mild antibacterial soap and warm water.
Long or hot showers/baths MUST be avoided. This includes swimming in: Oceans, Pools, Hot Tubs, and Saunas. Your new tattoo is an open wound, these places can hold bacteria(s) and negatively impact your new tattoo. Short showers are best, under ten minutes if possible.
Prolonged soaking can loosen scabs and will soak through soft tissue, drowning that new tattoo that needs to breathe!
"What about moisturizers?"
here are a few tips to remember:
GOLDEN RULE: NEVER OVER MOISTURIZE!
Lotions and Ointments are only agents that help soothe your naturally healing/crusty/scabbing tattoo. This is why you do not need a set number of times in which you should apply these agents, because they are not a must.
A thin coat of moisturizer can be applied whenever the tattoo is feeling stiff or dry, everybody has different skin, you know it best! THIN LAYER: means just enough lotion/ointment to keep the tattoo feeling comfortable, not tight. If your body heat liquefies the ointment and it become glossy and runny, this means you've OVER MOISTURIZED! ...Dab that off.
Excessive ointments will only suffocate your new tattoo, it should be breathing! This can potentially liquefy any scabs that may have formed, causing your scabs to fall out earlier and pull pigment with it: NOT GOOD! Healing time varies, 2-3 weeks is pretty standard. You can keep using lotion as long as you want, as long as you remember: NEVER over-moisturize.
"What lotions or ointments should I use?"
Moisturizers can include, but are not limited to: St.Ives, Aveeno, Eucerin, Keri, Lubriderm, Curel, Jergens, Tattoo Goo, Vitamin E, or Vaseline Intensive care. You can also use: Aquaphor, it's thicker, so be especially careful not to over do that one! Do not use lotions that contain colors, fragrances, or any other fancy stuff. Remember the GOLDEN RULE (NEVER over-moisturize)!
Keep it simple.
".....o.k, BUT:
I'm still really concerned about this healing process & I still have questions!"
"What should I expect while my tattoo is healing?"
- Your new/fresh tattoo is an open wound. It might be sticky and a little sore when you take it home with you. Stickiness, soreness, and all around annoying feeling is normal, don't trip. It'll start to form its scab and begin to heal: Let that happen.
- Your skin will form a thin membrane, it's there as a protective layer and it's a sign that your tattoo is starting its healing process! ..kinda like a superficial cut/wound, except you want that ink to stay (so don't go out of your way to try and make it heal faster, that can make your ink go with it)!!
- Some scabs can be thick, some can be barely noticeable.
- Disrupting (scratching/picking/overmoisturizing) the tattoo while it’s healing can cause scar tissue and potentially pull out your new tattoo ink.
- Your tattoo will itch! ...This is normal, please refrain from scratching or picking at the tattoo.
- Healing time varies, 2-3 weeks is pretty standard.
- You can keep using lotion as long as you want, as long as you remember: NEVER over-moisturize.
What NOT TO DO:
- Again: Do not peel your tattoo, you will pull the ink out!
- It is perfectly normal to see small flakes of colored skin falling off during this stage of healing. Flakes will flake, DO NOT PICK AT THEM.
- Scrubbing with a washcloth can be very harsh on a tattoo and will cause your colors to fade/like picking at your scabs.
- Do NOT disrupt (scratch/pick) the tattoo while it’s healing, it can cause scar tissue and potentially pull out your new tattoo ink.
- DON'T SCRATCH...it will get itchy and you will ruin it if you scratch! Just use lotion when it itches, pretend it's not itching, whatever, it's no biggy. :p
- You can keep using lotion as long as you want, as long as you remember: NEVER over-moisturize.