Before getting into the tips for taking proper care of your new tattoo it is important that you follow your tattoo artist's directions that were provided to you. If by chance their directions are different than the ones provided in this article, always refer to their instructions. However if no instructions were provided to you then this is what you need to know.
Naturally now that you have went and have a new tattoo you will want to take extra good care of its healing! From the moment you leave the tattoo shop your tattoo artist is no longer accountable for the care of your tattoo and any infections you may have. So it remains very important for you to follow these steps. You would not want your beautiful new tattoo to turn into an infected sore if not taking the proper care.
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1. Leave the Bandage Alone
The artist that you chose took great care in covering up your new tattoo for you for a good reason. That reason is to keep any air borne bacteria or pathogens from invading the sore. Even though it is a tattoo it is still a sore. As with any sore the open flesh is now a hotbed for infections and bacteria. You will need to leave the covering on for a minimum of two hours. I know you're excited about it and want to show it off to your friends and family the minute you see them but you need to be patient.
There is one rule we can make an exception on and that is if your artist covered your tattoo with any type plastic covering. This covering could be extremely injurious to your new tattoo. So if this is the case then you do need to remove the plastic wrap as soon as possible. You are better off not having any sort of covering than having it covered in a plastic wrap.
2. Treating and Washing
After the two hour minimum time period for leaving your covering on then it is time to remove it. After removing the covering you will want to treat and wash your new tattoo. For cleaning the sore you will need to wash it with tepid water and a mild antibacterial soap. Lightly wash away any salve left behind and blood or plasma to entirely clean the area. Avoid using anything that is scratchy! It is actually best to wash the tattoo with your hand. Of course wash your hands first in the same soap.
After washing you will need to pat dry (do not massage) the tattoo firmly with a clean towel to get thoroughly dry. Follow up with a light application of your choice of ointments.
3. Specialty Lotions and Products
There are specialty products that you can use, if you choose, such as Tattoo Goo and H2Ocean and ask your pharmacist about over the counter products that work. Use these products as directed for 3-5 days.
After the 3-5 days have passed you should continue to keep your tattoo soft and supple. This can be done with the use of lotions. Remember whatever lotion you choose it must be fragrance and dye free.
4. Showering, Bathing, Swimming and Hot Tubs
You should continue to shower with a new tattoo just as you normally do as it will not harm your tattoo in anyway. Water will not cause any type of damage or infection of a tattoo as long as your tattoo is not soaking in the water. Soaking your tattoo in bath water or any water will cause severe damage and will want to be avoided for a bare minimum of 2-3 weeks. As said showering is fine to do as long as you do not stand and let the water continuously be on the tattoo. If you happen to get shampoo or soap on the tattoo then simply rinse it off quickly. Swimming, whether it is in a pool or ocean salt water should also be avoided for at least 2 weeks.
5. Scabbing and Flaking
It is quite possible after a few days if you notice some flaking and little scabbing. Extreme scabbing could be an indicator of a poorly done tattoo but if it's only a small amount then this is perfectly normal. There is absolutely no need to panic. If it does happen to scab then apply tepid moist (not soaked) compresses to the scabbed area for about 5 minutes 2-4 times a daily. This will help to alleviate the scab helping it to eventually come off on its own. Never apply ointment or lotions to a softened scab-simply wait for it to dry on its own. You could also start to itch, much like sunburn when it is beginning to heal. My advice for this is to ignore it. DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH AT A SCAB. If it is flaking then simply put lotion on it and if it's scabbing then leave it alone. This means your tattoo is almost healed and now is not the time for you to mess it up.
6. Safeguarding from the Sun
After your new tattoo has healed you will want to safeguard it from the sun's harmful rays as they could fade or damage your new tattoo. So before going out in the sunshine for any excessive period of time you will want to place a sun block with at least an SPF of 30 or higher on your tattoo. This will keep your new tattoo brilliant and colorful for many years to come.
Six Tips For Proper Care of a New Tattoo PRICE CHOPPER APPLICATION
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