Do's & don'ts tattoo aftercare
Do:
- Remove the bandage after one or two hours. All wounds need to breathe if they are to heal properly.
- Wash the tattoo 2 - 3 times a day, using a mild antibacterial soap (such as Dial or Provon) and warm water. Pat dry with a clean, soft cloth or paper towel.
- Once dry, apply a very thin coat of ointment to the tattoo. I recommend using Aquaphor. Do not use too much ointment, a little goes a long way. Too much ointment can lead to infection.
- Repeat the process of washing, drying and applying ointment for the first 2 - 3 weeks.
- After 2 - 3 weeks switch to a regular unscented moisturizer, such as Eucerin, Lubriderm. Apply moisturizer twice a day for two weeks.
- You must keep your tattoo moisturized.
- Keep your tattoo clean. Avoid long baths for at least 2 weeks.
Don't:
- Do not re-bandage the tattoo.
- Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth during the healing period.
- Do not use too much ointment; too much can lead to infection.
- Do not use lotions that contain color or fragrance at all until the healing is complete.
- Your tattoo will start to peel and itch, do not pick or scratch your tattoo, since it will pull out the ink. It is perfectly normal to see flakes of colored skin falling off during this stage of healing.
- Do not go into Pools, Hot Tubs and Saunas.
- Do not stay in the sun for too long. Sunburn on a new tattoo can cause a lot of problems and will dry out your tattoo and could cause it to form a scab resulting in in fading before it is even healed. Wait until it is fully healed to go back in the sun or a tanning bed and make sure you put on sun block. Never put sun block on a tattoo that is still healing.