How to Clean and Care for a New Tattoo
Now that you have made the lifelong commitment to art and have gotten a new tattoo, you will want to take extra care and make sure it heals properly. If you do not follow basic care instructions for a new tattoo, it could heal incorrectly, and you will have to return for touch-ups and corrections--or else be stuck forever with a piece of damaged art on your body. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Anti-bacterial soap Unscented lotion Betadine Plus or Aquafore ointment
Instructions
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Leave the tattoo bandaged for at least the first 2 hours. If you will be sleeping soon after getting your new tattoo, leave the bandage on overnight. You don't want a newly done tattoo rubbing on dirty sheets or other materials, or possibly getting scratched while you aren't paying attention to it. Once you remove the bandage for the first time to clean and care for your tattoo, do not re-bandage it. Fresh air is important to helping your tattoo heal properly.
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Wash the tattoo with anti-bacterial soap and warm water when you remove the bandage. This is very important, as there will probably be ointment, ink and even possibly some blood smeared around from the bandage. You will want to clean it up to prevent infection or a later problem with your tattoo. Be very gentle when washing your tattoo, as the skin will be sensitive from being recently tattooed. Do not use a washcloth or sponge, and do not rub hard with your fingers. Instead, lightly brush the soap along the entire tattoo to work up a light lather, then rinse by splashing water over it. Do not let water hit the tattoo directly, as this could cause problems with the healing process.
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Begin to moisturize your new tattoo with unscented lotion. Do this whenever the skin of the tattoo begins to dry out, which you will be able to feel by lightly touching the tattoo. It will also sting and feel "tight" whenever it starts to become dry, which is a sign that you need to put on lotion. Apply the lotion in much the same manner that you washed the tattoo before: by very lightly rubbing the lotion over the tattoo. You can do this every hour or so, and especially after you shower or bathe and have washed the tattoo.
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Use an ointment such as Betadine Plus or Aquafore if you think your tattoo has become infected. It's a sign of infection if the tattoo becomes red and inflamed, or if it stays swollen several days after you get the tattoo. When using an ointment, put a very thin layer over the tattooed area. Do not rub it into the skin, but lightly cover it. If you feel you might have put on too much, blot it gently with a paper towel or piece of tissue. It is important to use a very small amount of ointment, as it can get under the skin and cause the ink to bubble up, which could ruin the tattoo. As soon as you think the infection has passed, stop using the ointment.
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Follow basic early-care instructions to make sure the tattoo heals properly. Do not go swimming for 2 or 3 weeks, especially in a chlorinated pool. Try not to soak your tattoo or let it get hit by a direct water spray as well, as this can cause problems with washing away parts of the tattoo (especially if it has started to scab). Do not allow direct sunlight to hit the tattoo for the first few weeks, as this can cause a reaction in the ink, which could lead to infection or improper healing. Do not scratch or rub on the tattoo, as this could also cause it to heal incorrectly; it will then have to be fixed at a later date.
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Tips & Warnings
Your tattoo artist wants your tattoo to heal properly, and will thus be willing to give you advice or answer any questions you may have. If you feel that your tattoo is healing incorrectly, or are worried that it is scabbing too much or might be infected, call your artist and explain the situation to her. She may want you to return to the tattoo shop so she can take a look.
Never use Neosporin on a new tattoo, as this ointment causes your skin to "bleed" out the ink. Other ointments may do the same thing as they try to "heal" your body from the tattoo. If you are using one because you think you might have an infection, stick to Betadine Plus or Aquafore and use sparingly.
