How to care for your new custom tattoo

A tattoo doesn’t end after the inking is complete and you’ve left the tattoo studio. It is the beginning of your duty, after the tattoo artist has done his job by explaining to you in detail what you should and should not do with your new tattoo, when taking care of it. It’s important that you follow these guidelines, as a beautiful new tattoo can turn into a disastrous one if you don’t take the necessary steps to care for it properly. Take a look at some of the tips below for proper aftercare of your tattoo:

You have to leave the bandage as it is. Mostly newbies are more prone to airborne infections because they are more aware of their new tattoo. They are the ones who will likely look at your wound and check it from time to time by taking the bandage off slightly. However, the bandage should not be removed until after the amount of time your tattoo artist has specified that it should remain on. This is usually somewhere between two and twenty four hours. You should be aware that an open wound is a place for bacteria to grow and grow, causing infection.

You definitely don’t want something like this to happen, so you need to keep that protective cover on; without removing the bandage! Tell your friends to wait until the time is right for you to remove it without risking your fresh tattoo.

Important note: Some artists use saran wraps as bandages for fresh tattoos. These are thin plastic wrappers, which are also used to wrap food. If your artist uses this particular type of covering, you should remove it immediately after you get home, as this can damage her new tattoo by not allowing the wound to breathe.

Proper washing and treatment of your tattoo is important. When it’s time to remove the bandage, most tattoo artists recommend cleaning the tattoo by washing it with warm water to remove any blood, ointment, or plasma still present on the surface of the tattoo. You can also use a mild liquid soap with antimicrobial properties to gently wash any substances such as ointment and dried blood from the area. Next, it is important to keep the area dry and clean. Make sure your tattoo doesn’t feel wet and sticky, as this is a sign that the plasma is leaking. If this happens, carefully dab your tattoo with a clean, dry cloth to remove it. Refrain from using abrasive cloths and rubbing the area as they can be harsh on your tattoo.

Products for your new tattoo. Most tattoo clinics recommend special products in the form of ointments, lotions or creams that are applied to heal tattoos faster. They can be sold separately or in a package depending on your preference. However, if your tattoo artist doesn’t have these products available, you can also buy them over the counter or at most drug stores. Highly recommended ointments are those enriched with vitamins A and D such as Bacitracin as they facilitate faster wound healing. Most of these should be used for 3-5 days or as directed. When choosing creams or lotions as an ointment substitute, choose those that are fragrance- and dye-free, as they are the ones with mild agents. Lubriderm and Eucerin are excellent products.

Be very careful with your tattoo. Some believe that you shouldn’t shower due to the misconception that you can’t get your tattoo wet for weeks. But this is not really the case; showering is fine as long as you don’t drench or submerge your tattoo in water. Doing so can be harmful, so stay out of pools or bathtubs for two to three weeks. Another precaution to take is to keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight during, or even after, the healing process, as this could fade quickly. You can apply sunscreen lotions to protect your tattoo from harmful UV rays. Lastly, avoid scratching the tattoo. Control yourself each time it bites you and avoid nipping and peeling it.