Don't Have Your New Tattoo Look Like Crap, Take Care of It From The Get-Go

Your new tattoo is nice and fresh, and you want to keep it that way! Making sure you take care of your ink from the start is critical to keeping it looking goof for its lifetime. Your artist covered up your tattoo with a bandage to protect it from air-born bacteria. Be sure to leave your bandage on for a minimum of 2 hours, even though you may want to show it off.

Once you are ready to remove the bandage, you are going to want to wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild antibacterial soap. Gently wipe the area of the tattoo clean of any blood, ointment or anything else that shouldn't be there. Using your hand to do this is your best bet. Don't use a washcloth or anything abrasive as you do not want to damage the skin any more.

Once you are all cleaned up, pat (don't rub) the area with a clean towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow this up with a light application of ointment such as one enriched with vitamin A & D. Do not use Neosporin; many people have not-so-good reactions to this stuff.

You can shower with a new tattoo, just be sure not soak it. You do not want to take a bath with your new ink, as it can do serious damage. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, just quickly remove it with water. Do not take a bath or swim (pool, fresh water, salt water) for 2-3 weeks.

After a few days, you may notice your tattoo beginning to peel and scab a little. No need to worry! This is normal, along with itching. Your best bet is this: don't pick and don't scratch. Don't want to ruin your work this far into it.

 

Once you are all healed up, you will always want to keep your tattoo protected from the sun's ultraviolet rays. They can damage and fade a tattoo very fast, so protect it with a minimum 30 SPF sunblock. This will keep your ink looking very good for many years to come, and that's exactly what you want and want others to see!