How to take care of your new tattoo.

You will learn how to take care of your tattoo from the time you get home from the tattoo parlor to the time you are healed.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Anti-bacterial soap ,fragrance free
• A water based lotion
• Loose fitting clothing
• A roll of paper towels

1. First when you get home from the tattoo shop ,wash your hands with anti-bacterial fragrance free liquid soap and remove the bandage carefully . It will most likely feel like a sunburn , and be irritated.

2. Once you have done this , I recommend to wash your tattoo as soon as the bandage comes off. Grab your trusty anti-bacterial fragrance free liquid hand soap and some clean paper towels. Wash the freshly tattooed area with warm water first . Be careful that the water is not too hot because this can hurt and is not good for the tattoo. Only use about a pea size amount of anti-bacterial fragrance free hand soap , or a little more depending on the size of the tattoo. Rub with your fingers tips gently , getting all the plasma and blood off the tattoo . Then wash it again with cool water . This will feel extremely good .

3. After you are finished washing the tattoo . Pat the tattoo dry gently with the paper towels. Do not dry it vigorously , be gentle. Make sure you get all the excess water off the tattoo and any surrounding areas. Do not re bandage your tattoo . Wait about 5 to 10 minutes , then apply the water base lotion , and remember to wash your hands with the antibacterial soap before and after you touch your new tattoo. Take about a pea sized amount of lotion at a time and apply it to the tattoo. You do not want to put too much lotion on the tattoo . Rub in the lotion. If you see white of the lotion , keep rubbing it in. Take that lotion with you everywhere , anytime you think of it you will be applying the lotion. You will notice that your tattoo will seep . This is just plasma and a blood . It is normal , do not be alarmed . For the first couple days you will be washing your brand new tattoo every two to three hours. This will keep the blood and plasma from scabbing up . If you do get scabbing , do not pick at the scabs . Let them fall off naturally . You can actually pick out the color that way and cause other issues. If you keep on you cleaning , and take good care of your tattoo , it should heal in about two to three weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Tips for keeping your tattoo looking brand new for your life time. One is the sun, do not expose your tattoo to sunlight , if you do make sure you add the highest SPF lotion as possible , although if you are still going through the healing process , do not use any other lotions but the water based lotions. Another way is to get it touched up. If after a couple years the color looks a little dull , do not worry . Just visit your favorite tattoo shop . I am sure they would be happy to touch it up for you . It may cost a fee , but it will be worth it.
• When you bathe . Do not bathe in a bath tub . Do not submerge the tattoo in water. Defiantly shower everyday , but do not put the tattoo directly under the water for a long period of time , this can ruin your tattoo. Also when you get out of the shower , make sure you have clean paper towels handy , you do not want to dry off a brand new tattoo with a bath towel , the fabric of the towel can stick to the tattoo and be painful to remove. Also stay out of lakes and oceans , horrible bacteria can be waiting in these areas. Do not expose a fresh tattoo to sunlight , it will hurt , and cause serious complications with some colors.

[Blackcatbetty]

on 9/29/2008 Hey thanks , yeah I have heard so many goofy ways people try to take care of their tattoos , and it boggles my mind. So hopefully I can help people eliminate horror stories . :D

[leanan]

on 9/28/2008 Great post, wish I had these eons ago when I got my first tat ;)