How to Care for Your New Tattoo

So finally you mustered the courage to have yourself tattooed. You love the design you picked and you want to make sure that your tattoo remains vibrant and that it lasts a long time. The key in achieving this is of course proper care. Those who love getting inked and especially those who just had their first tattoo should know that infections and other problems with their tattoo can arise should they neglect caring for it. So how should you care for your tattoo?

Tattoo After Care

Here’s how you should care for your new tattoo. Leave the Bandage Alone – The tattoo artist that inked you did not go all through the trouble of wrapping or covering your new tattoo for no apparent reason or just to pass time because of boredom. There is a good reason why your tattoo was carefully covered. There are air-borne bacteria that can latch on to your newly tattooed skin and cause infection. Although the tattoo may look incredibly awesome and you want the world to see it, you have to remember that this new tattoo you’re wearing is still a fresh wound. It is a good breeding ground for bacteria so to avoid the pain of getting infection, leave the bandage alone for at least 2 hours. However, if your tattoo artist used a plastic or Saran wrap to cover up your tattoo, you should remove it immediately. Plastic wraps are not ideal and can cause great harm to your tattoo. Remember to Wash and Treat Your Tattoo – Once it’s good to remove the bandage, remember to wash and treat your tattoo as well as its surrounding area. Use lukewarm water and a mild liquid antimicrobial or antibacterial soap. Make sure that you wash off any blood plasma or ointment on your new tattoo and its surrounding area. It’s best to just use your hands. Use a clean soft towel to pat dry the tattoo and its surrounding area completely. Once done, apply an antibacterial ointment on your tattoo or one that is enriched with Vitamins A and D. Apply a Dye and Fragrance Free Moisturizer. After 3 – 5 days of caring for your tattoo using the steps listed here, you can add applying lotion on your tattoo care routine. You can ask your tattoo artist for recommendations. Just make sure that the lotion is free of dye and fragrance. Argan oil can also be used instead of a lotion. The oil is packed with potent moisturizers helping keep your new tattoo soft. The great thing about using Argan oil is that it’s free of dye, fragrance and other harmful chemicals since the oil is an all-natural extract of the Argan nuts.

Additional Tips

• Avoid swimming in pools and any body of water for at least 2 – 3 weeks.
• Remember to protect your tattoo against the sun’s UV rays to prevent fading. Apply a sunscreen lotion with at least an SPF of 30.
• When your tattoo starts scabbing, apply a warm moist compress to the scabs and the surrounding area for maybe 5 minutes. Do this 2 -3 times a day.
• Wait for the scabs to have completely dried off before using lotion or ointment.
• Your tattoo can start to itch but don’t pick or scratch. You can give it light slaps instead.