So you finally got the tattoo you’ve always wanted? Or maybe you’re getting ready to get your ink in the next few days? Either way, you’ll want to know how to best take care of your new tattoo after getting it because there are some repercussions for not doing so. After all, a tattoo is a medical procedure, and you want to keep that in mind when caring for your tattoo, skin, and self.
Without proper post-tattoo care, you leave yourself vulnerable to scaring or infection and possibly ruining the design’s appearance. But don’t worry. The tattoo experts at Beauty and Ink have got you covered in this blog.
Care Immediately after the Tattoo
Sometimes tattoo customers will know very little about aftercare instructions. Plus, more people are getting tattoos than ever before so there can be a lot of unawareness regarding tattoo care.
Immediately after getting a tattoo, you want to ensure your artist puts petroleum jelly and a bandage over your tattoo. And you’ll want to ask any questions that come to mind while you’re with your tattoo artist. They know best what to do, especially depending on your tattoo’s size and location paired with your skin.
First Day and Night after the Tattoo
Once you are home or wherever you’re going with your new ink, you want to keep that bandage on for at least 6 hours. If you can and it’s comfortable, it’s best to leave it on overnight.
Your tattoo may still bleed, but that is normal. However, the blood can dry and stick to bedding or clothes. If this occurs, you will want to gently remove the fabric bandage. Even if it doesn’t come off, don’t be rough with the bandage. You should put lukewarm water on the area until you can gently slide it off.
Additionally, a fresh tattoo can have a thin coat of plasma or ink form. This is called “weeping,” and it’s completely normal too. If this occurs, you will want to dab the area with a clean paper towel. Simply press down onto your skin with the paper towel and pull back the towel. Don’t wipe the area or be rough; this isn’t good for your skin or the tattoo. You also don’t need to panic after seeing your tattoo colors on the paper towel or your hands because this is excess ink secreting from your skin. It’s no big deal and happens often.
Bandage Removal and Tattoo Cleaning
Remember to keep your bandage on for at least 6 hours, and preferably overnight if you can. Once you’re ready, here’s the ideal process for removing the fabric bandage and then cleaning your tattoo:
- Thoroughly clean your hands.
- Get unscented antibacterial soap for tattoo cleaning.
- Don’t use soap with fragrance, scrubs, or moisture beads.
- Carefully remove the tape and bandage.
- If you feel resistant, stop and put lukewarm water on the area until you can gently slide the tape and bandage off.
- Thoroughly clean your hands. Lather them with soap and warm water.
- Don’t use a washcloth, bath towel, or sponge.
- Clean the tattoo gently in a circular motion. You’ll know you’re finished when all the plasma and ointment are gone.
- Rinse the tattoo until your skin is clean.
- Dab and pat the skin dry with a paper towel.
- Don’t scrub the skin.
- Let the skin air dry for at least 10 minutes.
- Once the skin is dry, apply some Aquaphor or Bacitracin to the area by gently rubbing the ointment into the tattoo. Dab any excess off with a paper towel.
Moisturizing your tattoo helps it heal, but you don’t want to suffocate it with too much ointment. A thin coat that allows the tattoo to both breathe and heal is crucial.
You clean your tattoo once a day as outlined above for the first two to three days. Being careful in this stage is important because your tattoo is still a wound. And while you don’t need to re-wrap or re-bandage the tattoo, you want to be very sure to avoid getting any dirt or bacteria on it. This can cause infection, so it’s smart to avoid contact with any surface for the first few days.
Don’t ever pick or scratch at your tattoo during the healing process. It might get itchy, uncomfortable, or even form flaky scabs, but you can’t pick or scratch it. You might alter the tattoo by causing some of the pigment to vanish. Try to relax if your tattoo does this because the flaky scabs will fall off on their own. Just keep your tattoo moisturized and your skin should heal normally.
Daily Care Routine
On top of cleaning your tattoo for the first two to three days as we recommend above, you also want to continuously moisturize it. Specifically, you should moisturize your tattoo with a light layer of ointment two to three times a day for the first five to seven days after getting it. Or, moisturize like this until your skin starts to peel similar to a sunburn.
Once the sunburn peel starts, then you should switch to a fragrance-free lotion. The most recommended and popular is Lubriderm. And you will want to moisturize with this fragrance-free lotion for two more weeks, totaling around three weeks of moisturizing. A tattoo should be fully healed between two to four weeks.
Miscellaneous Advice
If you want to make your tattoo healing as comfortable and easy as possible, here are a few more pointers:
- If possible, plan for a light day and the day after. Try to take off work and have a nice sit-down evening/day.
- Wear darker clothing for your tattoo day or maybe even wear clothes which you don’t particularly care about getting any ink or blood on them.
- Use darker-colored towels to avoid stains. Or just use paper towels which you’ll throw away. Try to also sleep with a dark towel on your tattoo area for any blood or ink stains.
- For at least two weeks, do not soak your tattoo. So, don’t go swimming or have any baths.
- Also for at least two weeks, try to keep your tattoo away from direct sunlight.
- Avoid getting any sweat or dirt on your tattoo for a few days (and this is another great reason why it’s smart to plan a light, relaxing day with your tattoo).
- If you’re looking to electrify your tattoo’s presence, you can also check out Mad Rabbit for popular tattoo aftercare products.
About Beauty and Ink Tattoo Shop
Beauty and Ink offers a variety of tattoo services, from traditional tattoos to more modern styles. We know that tattoos are a form of self-expression, and that’s why we give nothing but our best when we work with you. So if you’re looking for the best tattoo shop in town, come to Beauty and Ink.
Book an appointment with us today or get in touch to learn more about how we can help you.
