Tattoo Aftercare

WASH AND TREAT

After you remove the initial wrap, you should gently wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap Generic brand antibacterial soaps are usually actually better, as they tend to be milder. Gently wash away any ointment, blood and/or plasma and completely clean the area. DO NOT use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is actually your best tool in this case. If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, you have probably been lightly oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible – when the plasma dries on the skin surface, it creates scabs.

Pat (DO NOT RUB) the area firmly with disposable paper products to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of your choice of ointment. A & D vitamin enriched ointment would be my first choice, but if you don’t have any, Bacitracin or a similar antibacterial ointment is acceptable.

NOTE: DO NOT USE ANY ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENTS (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. 

SPECIALTY PRODUCTS AND LOTIONS

If you have a preference or the artist recommends you use a specaility product (i.e. Saniderm, Redemption Ointment, Vegan Blue, etc), use as instructed and follow the packaging directions for use. Continue to keep your tattoo clean and dry for the duration of the healing process. You can use unscented lotions to keep the skin soft and moisturized. Each artist will have a preference of aftercare and will give you specific product instructions. 

BATHING AND SHOWERING

You can shower with a new tattoo; after all, you do want to stay clean. It is perfectly okay to get your tattoo wet; however, you want to try and avoid “soaking” it. Submerging your tattoo in a hot bath could possibly cause serious damage or an infection. You will want to avoid this activity for 2-3 weeks, but showering is perfectly fine as long as you don’t saturate your tattoo. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, just remove it quickly with water to avoid irritation from the chemicals in those products.

SWIMMING AND HOT TUBS

Swimming in a pool, fresh water or salt water should be avoided for at least 100 days; figure on 1% healing per day. Hot Tubs should be avoided as well, as they fall under the same category as soaking in a hot bath, but even more harsh.

SCABBING AND PEELING.

After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. Excessive scabbing could indicate a poorly-done tattoo, but a little is sometimes normal and there is no need to panic. Apply warm “moist” compresses to the scabs for about 5 minutes 2-3 times a day to soften them and they will eventually come off on their own. (Do not apply ointment or lotion to a softened scab; just wait for it to dry) You will also start to itch, much like a sunburn when it begins to heal. Please do not pick or scratch! If the skin itches, some say slapping it will help. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. As for a little 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. Ultraviolet rays can and will fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive sunlight, protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sun block. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years, and it will continue to be a source of great pride.