Tattoo Aftercare

Receiving your tattoo is only half the battle;
the other half consists of you taking the proper
precautions to make sure your tattoo will heal
properly.  Follow these simple steps to
maintaining a beautiful tattoo.

1) 1 to 2 hours after receiving your tattoo you will want to remove your bandages. If it is sticking, run it under warm water and it will loosen right up. You can shower normally during your tattoos healing process; just don’t soak the tattoo for extended periods of time.

2) Wash the tattoo thoroughly, preferably using anti-bacterial lotion soap. Only use water as warm as your body can handle. Don’t torture yourself unless you’re into that kind of thing. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. DON’T REAPPLY A BANDAGE!!!! A new tattoo needs to breathe; oxygen helps replenish your skin cells.

3) For the first day I usually suggest just letting the tattoo begin healing without applying anything to it. The following day you will want to start applying a good moisturizer, I usually suggest Nivea Crème. For the most part you could use any good lotion such as Lubriderm, Curel, Ucerin, etc. Any one of these lotions can be purchased at a local store or pharmacy. Avoid using any lotion with perfume or dyes in them such as something you’d buy at Bath and Body Works. The only time I suggest using an ointment on a tattoo is if it’s of a larger size and it took some extensive time to work on it, for example a 4 or 8-hour piece of work. In this case I would suggest using A&D ointment for the first 3 days and then begin using the moisturizer thereafter.

4) You will want to apply the lotion 2 or 3 times a day and just enough to lube the area. Don’t leave a thick layer of lotion on the tattoo; once again you want your tattoo to breathe. Always wash your hands before applying the lotion; you don’t want to rub dirt and germs into the tattoo. The same rules apply anytime the ointment is suggested for use.

5) Continue using lotion until your skin no longer feels dry, flaky, or itchy. Everyone’s body heals at a different rate of time. The typical healing time is within a 2-week period. This will definitely depend on how big the piece of art is and how much color was applied to that area.

Your main objective is to keep your tattoo clean and
fairly moisturized. Do not pick, scratch, or use anything
abrasive (loofa sponge or wash cloth) on the tattooed
area until fully healed.