TATTOO AFTERCARE

Tattoo Aftercare

Depending on the size of the tattoo and your tattoo artist's advice, you should leave the bandage on the new tattoo anywhere from 2 hours to overnight. Typically, you want to remove the bandage when you get home, so that you can let the tattoo breath, but if you are still bleeding you may consider gently dabbing the new tattoo with a new paper towel so that the blood doesn't pool.

When removing the bandage, do so gently by slowly peeling the bandage. If it sticks at all, STOP! Pour cool water between the skin and gauze. Make sure that you don't stick your tattoo under a full force faucet; remember easy does it. Wait a few minutes, and try to remove the bandage again.

The cool water should loosen your skin from the bandage without yanking any color out. Do remember throughout this, to not pull any skin or scabs off the tattoo, as you could pull out the ink, which can result in uncolored or dull gaps in your tattoo.

Once the bandage is off, wash the tattoo very gently with your fingertips. Use a mild antibacterial soap or any other gentle soap that is free of deodorants, skin softeners, or other additives. Rub the soap gently on the tattoo using your fingers.

After you clean the tattoo, gently pout cold water over it for a few minutes. The cold water will tighten your pores, which will help the tattoo heal healthily and quickly. Some tattoo artists believe that the cold water helps the color set in.

Lightly, pat the tattoo dry with a soft towel.

Carefully, apply a light  coating of A & D ointment. DO NOT smear ointment on too thick because your skin needs to be able to breath. A small drop of ointment should be enough to cover the tattoo, depending on the size of the tattoo. Gently massage a small dab of the ointment into the tattoo using your fingertips. You can use Bacitracin or even a gentle additive free lotion as long as it is water based, such as Corn Huskers Lotion. But, since A & D ointment contains nothing but skin healing vitamins A and D, it's the ideal balm to use on a new tattoo.

For the first two weeks after you get your tattoo, keep it away from water as much as possible. Use only your fingers to wash the new tattoo. And, blot it dry with a soft towel.

New Tattoo Don'ts

·         Do not re-bandage a tattoo.

·         Never use soaps with additives such as special scents, skin softeners, etc. Make sure to use water-based    products, non-petroleum based.

·         Never use loofahs, sponges, washcloths, cotton balls, paper towels, or anything else but your fingers to clean a tattoo.

·         Do not put a new tattoo under a full force faucet.

·         When taking a shower or taking a bath, don't let the water directly hit the tattoo.

·         Don't coat the surface of the tattoo too thick with ointment, as you will suffocate the skin, cause it to scab up and increase your risk of infection.

·         No rubbing, scrubbing, picking, or scratching, no matter how much it itches!

 

After the Tattoo Has Healed

Once the ink has settled into your skin, you can return to life as usual.

If you are going to be outside for any length of time, remember to always use a strong sun block on your tattoo, as the sun rays will fade the tattoo.

Tanning beds, are not recommended, even after your tattoo is healed. If you choose to go to a tanning bed, cover the tattoo fully.

Also, just like the rest of your body, your tattoo will look better, longer, if you get into the habit of using skin lotions.

After your tattoo has fully healed, if you are not happy with the way the tattoo looks (the color has gaps or is patchy), go back to the tattoo artist. As tattoo artists want to do the best job they can for you, most of them will be happy to do a touch up on the tattoo once it is fully set in.

Tattoo Infection

When getting a new tattoo, whether it be your first, fifth, or fifteenth, you should be aware of the potential health concerns related with getting the tattoo. You can contract gangrene, syphilis, TB, hepatitis B and C, and HIV, from infected needles and instruments.

So, when getting a tattoo, it is important that you know that your tattoo artist is using new, sterile needles and clean instruments each time a new person comes in to get a tattoo; everything that comes in contact with human skin and will come in contact with blood and serum needs to be properly sterilized. Even if you don't see blood on the needles or instruments, it doesn't mean that you can't contract a disease or infection (and yes you can contract an infection from a dirty needle, especially if the person before you had an infection).

But, on the assumption that you've already checked out your tattoo artist and the tattoo shop, the next thing you can do to potentially prevent an infection is to carrying out proper aftercare, which you can check out at Tattoo Aftercare Tips.

Signs of Tattoo Infection

An infection may be present if any of the following symptoms are present after getting your tattoo:

·         Increased pain

·         Major Swelling

·         Large amounts of redness

·         Very tender during/after healing

·         Red streaks extend from the area

·         Pus- creamy yellow, brown, or red

·         Swollen or tender lymph nodes

·         Fever

You may experience the infection at the tattoo or underneath the skin, deep within the wound. When the infection is set deeper, you'll experience fewer signs, except intense pain and possible swelling.

Remember that you can decrease the risk of infection by following proper aftercare for cleaning and caring for a new tattoo.

Please be aware that the advice in this article should in no way replace that of a licensed physician.

Consult your doctor if you think that you might have an infection in or around your new tattoo.

Thank you for your business… Ed Snyder Jr. owner/artist 614-984-4086
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