Tattoo Aftercare

A freshly made tattoo requires extra care. With these tips, you’ll have an excellent chance of making sure that your new Tattoo will be the best that it can be!

1790360931. Bandaging Your Freshly Done Tattoo.

When your Tattoo Artist has finished applying your Tattoo he or she will typically “wipe” the Tattoo down with green soap, then apply a thin coat of Vaseline or an anti-bacterial ointment (such as A&D Ointment, Neosporin or Bacitracin), then bandage it.

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2. Anti-Bacterial Ointments (Neosporin, Bacitracin, A&D Ointment, Etc.).

Before your new Tattoo is bandaged, your Tattoo Artist will typically apply a thin coat of an anti-bacterial ointment, such as Bacitracin or Neosporin from a sterile, single-use packet.

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3. How Long Before I Can Remove the Bandage?

You should wait at least a few hours.  Principally, this is to allow the traumatized skin to heal and the “oozing” to stop flowing.

After 4-6 hours feel free to remove the bandage — and if your artist has used plastic-film wrap, do not leave the bandage on more than 8 hours!  Once you have removed the bandage, clean your new Tattoo well with a mild, non-abrasive soap and warm water.

DO NOT SCRUB – Clean it well — massage and remove the excess ink and dried fluid and be sure to remove the residue of any Vaseline, Neosporing or other ointment that may have been applied.

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4. Care During the First Week.

Simply moisturize the Tattoo lightly with a lotion — no more than 2 or 3 times a day. Use Noxzema face cream.  It’s very light, water-based and non-pore clogging.

CLOTHING:  You will also want to be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing that will not rub against the Tattoo — especially in the first 2 or 3 days of healing.

DO NOT PICK at your new Tattoo.  Ideally, the skin will form an “onion-peel” like a sunburn.  Allow this to slough-off naturally while bathing — and some will remove when you gently rub lotion into the Tattoo.

KEEP IT CLEAN.   Avoid things like letting your pets lick the freshly Tattooed skin.  Don’t touch your Tattoo yourself if you have not washed your hands.  Be conscious that you are still healing.

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5. Moisturizing.

DO NOT OVER-MOISTURIZE. This will retard the healing process and not let the skin “breathe”, lead to heavier scabbing and potential loss of color from your new Tattoo.

Moisturizing should be “light” — a thin coat in the morning, and in the evening of when it feels “dry”.

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