Care of a New Tattoo
How to Take Care of a New Tattoo
Many people get their first tattoo, leave the establishment where they got it, and figure that the process is done with. You got an awesome design. You paid for it. You managed to make it through the needles. So there’s nothing else to do, right? That’s not the case. After getting a tattoo it is very important that you take care of it to protect it, and yourself. This is especially important over the several days immediately following when you get it.
Here are some tips and steps for how to care for a new tattoo
- Keep the bandage over the new tattoo for several hours after you initially get the tattoo done. After those several hours, remove the bandage covering the tattoo and do not re-bandage it.
- Wash the new tattoo gently with an antibacterial soap. Do not scrub or use too much pressure. Make sure to cleanse the area of any blood or other bodily fluids as well as any dirt or loose skin. Continue to do this over the next few days.
- After washing your new tattoo, apply a healing ointment to the area. You’ll want to do this several times a day.
- In addition to the ointment, or after several days of using just the ointment, begin moisturizing the tattooed area several times a day. Make sure to use an unscented and alcohol free moisturizer.
- Avoid long baths, hot tubs, pools or any other prolonged exposure to water. Showers are fine, but again do not scrub the area vigorously or keep it soaking in water. If the tattoo is on your hand or wrist, avoid washing dishes for a prolonged period (lucky you!)
- Avoid the sun. The sun can always do damage to your new tattoo, but especially so when your new tattoo is still healing. You do not want to dry out the healing tattoo area and definitely don’t want to get a sunburn. This holds true for anytime after the initial healing period. Always make sure to use a generous amount of sun block on your tattoo. If you get a burn and shed layers of skin as a result, your tattoo will fade.
- Never pick or scratch the tattooed area, even (and especially) if it scabs up or some skin peels away. Allow the tattoo to fully heal on its own.
In general, use common sense taking care of a new tattoo. Treat your tattoo like you would most other open wounds on your body. Wash it, moisturize it, keep it clean and avoid exposure to water and sunlight. Follow the above tips and you and your tattoo will end up well preserved, perfectly healed and you will be perfectly healthy. You will also minimize the risk of getting an infection from a tattoo.
Article Image by kamagurka via Flickr
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