How to care for a tattoo.

It's crucial to take good care of your tattoo correctly so it maintains it's color and keeps looking great for years. Also with new tattoo' s, you run the risk of contracting serious infections which proper care will help to avoid.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scent and dye free antibacterial liquid soap (preferably original liquid Dial)
• Scent and dye free lotion (lubriderm, curel, cetaphil)
• A&D Ointment
• Roll of paper towels (as soft as possible)

1. If you've just gotten the tattoo, wear the bandage for as long as the artist instructed. When you take the bandage off, immediately clean the tattoo and surrounding area with the antibacterial liquid soap and warm water. First you should wash your hands with the soap so you don't get germs in the open tattoo. Do not use a wash cloth or a shower puff, as they tend to carry germs or can deposit lint. Wash once a day in the shower or if the tattoo becomes exposed to dirt. Always keep the area as clean as possible. Dry with fresh paper towel, dab don't wipe or you might pull the scab off.

2. During the healing process it is important to keep the tattoo moisturized. For the first 3-4 days apply a coat of A&D ointment when finished washing with the antibacterial soap. The trick here is limiting the quantity, you want it to be covered with a thin layer so it is moist but can still breathe. It shouldn't be too shiny or heavy. You will need to reapply this coat of A&D every few hours for the first 3-4 days whenever it's starting to feel dry especially. Never touch the tattoo without washing your hands with your scent free dye free antibacterial soap first.

3. About day 5 you should have a pretty hard scab. When you shower on day 5 and wash off the layer of A&D dry the area with a paper towel and apply a liberal amount of scent free dye free lotion to the area. With the lotion you can't put too much, this time is crucial because the scab will begin falling off. If you don't keep the tattoo moisturized properly the scab can pull out the color and you may need to get touch ups. The best thing you can do is keep lotion on it all the time. Keep this up until the tattoo begins to feel the same as the surrounding skin.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use soap or lotion with scent or dye, they can affect the color and overall outcome of your tattoo!
• Do not ever scratch or pick at your tattoo under any circumstances.
• Don't wear any clothing that will get lint on the tattoo.

[MariM]

on 5/12/2009 Great tips on taking care of tatoos.5*recmd