About Your Tattoo
Information about your new tattoo and how to take care of it.
Taking Care
Tips & Tricks
*If you leave the bandage on longer than the artist suggests, you are more prone to infection and the ink may bleed.
*Wash and moisturize your tattoo daily until the scabs are gone. You should continue to wash your tattoo 2-3 times a day with antibacterial soap and lukewarm water until it's fully healed.
*If your clothing does stick to your tattoo, do not pull! First wet the area with water, which should loosen the clothing to where it can be removed without damaging your tattoo.
*If you work in a job that involves physical activity, such as construction or dance, you may want to consider having your new tattoo done right before you have a day or 2 off so it has time to heal before you return to work.
Always ask your tattoo artist what the best treatment for your tattoo!
Since different tattoo artists have different methods of wrapping new tattoos, ask your tattoo artist when they recommend removing the bandage.
Cleaning The Tattoo
Keep the bandage that your tattoo artist applied on for two to three hours before gently removing it, washing your tattoo with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap, then patting the skin dry. By keeping your skin evenly moisturized and clean, staying out of the sun, and avoiding picking or itching your new design, your tattoo will heal beautifully.
1 Wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap. Use a mild, unscented liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap to rub the tattoo gently with your fingers, removing all traces of blood, plasma, or leaked ink. This will help to prevent the tattoo from scabbing too soon. 2 Let the tattoo air dry or pat it dry with a clean paper towel. While it's best to let your skin air dry after the tattoo has been cleaned, you can also use a clean, dry paper towel to gently blot the tattoo until it's dry. Avoid rubbing the tattoo with the paper towel to avoid irritating your skin. 3 Apply a non-scented antibacterial cream. Once your tattoo is fully dry, apply a little moisturizing ointment, preferably an all-natural aftercare, to the tattoo. Make sure to apply only a very thin layer and pat it in gently until it's absorbed by the skin.
Listen to your tattoo artist's advice. Your tattoo artist will explain how you should care for your tattoo immediately after getting it, so try to follow their instructions. The way they bandage your tattoo may be different from other tattoo artists, so take the advice they give you seriously to ensure your tattoo heals correctly.
"Taking good care of your new tattoo right after you get it will help it heal quickly and stay vibrant!"
Tattoo No-Nos
Avoid scratching or picking at your tattoo. As it heals, your tattoo will start to scab over, which is normal. Let the scabs dry out and fall off by themselves, and don't speed up the process by picking or scratching at the scabs. This can cause the scabs to fall off too soon, which can leave holes or light spots on the tattoo.
Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight. The harsh rays of the sun may cause your skin to blister and bleach some of the colors from your tattoo.
Avoid soaking the tattoo in water. Until your tattoo is fully healed, don't swim in a pool or the ocean. Avoid soaking in the bathtub as well. Exposing your tattoo to lots of water can pull the ink out of your skin and do damage to the tattoo's appearance. The water may also be carrying dirt, bacteria, or other chemicals that can infect your tattoo.
Wear clean, loose-fitting clothing to avoid irritating your tattoo. Try not to wear tight or restrictive clothing on the area with your new tattoo, especially at first. As your tattoo heals, it will seep plasma and excess ink, which may cause the clothing to stick to the tattoo. The clothing will then be painful to remove and may rip off any freshly formed scabs.
Wait for your tattoo to heal before doing strenuous workouts. If the tattoo covers a large surface area or is near your joints (such as elbows and knees), it may take longer to heal if the skin is forced to move around too much during physical activity. The movement will cause the skin to crack and become irritated, prolonging the healing process.