Now, you have your fresh new tattoo, and you want to take good care of it! From this point on, your artist is not
responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don't take proper care of it. It is very
important that you follow these guidelines. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster if the proper aftercare is not
taken.
Your artist has given you care instructions, follow them to the letter. Every artist uses different techniques to apply a
tattoo, and usually they know which healing procedure will work best in conjunction with it. Don't listen to your friends,
other artists, or people you meet out and about.
Leave That Bandage Alone!
Your artist took the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason - to keep air-born bacteria from invading
your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and
infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of two hours. Excitement of having a new tattoo will make you want to
remove the bandage so you can show your friends, but your friends will just have to wait until later.
The only exception to this rule is if your artist covered your tattoo with saran wrap or some kind of plastic.
Wash and Treat
After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial
soap. Dial and Provon are my highest recommendations to gently wash away any ointment, blood and/or plasma and to
completely clean the area.
Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. (If your tattoo feels slimy and
slippery, you have probably been oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible - when the plasma
dries on the skin surface, it creates scabs.) Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to
get it completely dry.
Follow with a very light application of your choice of ointment. A&D vitamin enriched ointment would be my first choice,
but if you don't have any, Bacitracin or a similar antibacterial ointment is acceptable.
**Do not use Neosporin. This is a wonderful product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos. Some can have an
allergic reaction to the Neosporin, which causes little red bumps. When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you
end up with a polka-dotted tattoo.**
Specialty Products and Lotions
If you prefer, you can also use a specialty product such as Tattoo Goo. It's not necessary, as many over the counter
products work just fine, but it's your choice. Use the products as directed for 2-3 days.
After 2-3days of applying A&D, continue to keep your tattoo clean, start to use lotion when needed to replace ointment
and keep the tattoo area moisturized. Whatever lotion you use, it should be dye and fragrance free. A lot of artists
recommend Lubriderm. I have had great success with Eucerin aswell.
Aftercare Contradictions: Why there are so many views on what product is best.
Bathing, Showering, Hot Tubs, and Swimming
Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo. It's OK to get your tattoo wet - just don't soak it. Submerging your
tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so you'll want to avoid those for 2-3 weeks, but showering is
perfectly fine as long as you don't saturate your tattoo. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, just remove it quickly
with water. Swimming - whether it be a pool, fresh water or salt water - should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.
Scabbing and Peeling
After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. Excessive scabbing could indicate a poorly-
done tattoo, but a little is sometimes normal and there is no need to panic. Apply warm moist compresses to the scabs
for about 5 minutes 2-3 times a day to soften them and they will eventually come off on their own. (Do not apply
ointment or lotion to a softened scab - wait for it to dry) You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to
heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is
scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!
Protection from the sun
After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always (not just for the time being) want to protect it from the sun's
ultraviolet rays.
These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your
tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sun-block. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years, and it will continue to be a
source of great pride.
Why you Can Never Seem to Get a Straight Answer
I've gotten a lot of email lately asking about tattoo aftercare, and people wanting to know why there is so much
contradiction from one studio to the next when it comes to body-art healing. Admittedly, it can be quite confusing.
However, there are legitimate reasons why there are so many different opinions out there, and this article will explore
those reasons.
Many tattoo aftercare sheets recommend washing with anti-bacterial soap and treating with A&D or Bacitracin Ointment
for 3-5 days, and then following that up with skin lotion. There are companies out there that make products such as
<http://www.tattoogoo.com/> Tattoo Goo and <http://www.tattoolube.com/> Tattoo Lube that take out all the guessing
work and claim their products are designed specifically for aftercare and are superior to any other ointments.
There are so many different opinions out there, what is one to do?
Now these different instructions are not just arbitrary guesses by someone that knows little or nothing about tattoos. All
of the above are from professionals with years of experience and who have probably tried several methods of aftercare
before coming to a professional conclusion as to what is best. So, why is there such contradiction?
The first thing to consider is local availability. Not all products are available in every country, so you are limited to
certain products. And also, people in lands across the world all have varied skin types which will react differently to
these available products.
The Evolution of Aftercare
Through the years, as medical technology improves, new products have become available that are better than what
was once considered the best method of aftercare. Petroleum jelly was once one of the most largely used products - it
was highly available, inexpensive, and seemed to do the job fairly well. What has been found since then, though, is that
petroleum based products tend to drain the color from a tattoo and also have no healing agents.
Then, along came the over-the-counter triple anti-biotic ointment, Neosporin. It had a healing agent that was good at
fighting infection, and it didn't pull the color out of tattoos like petroleum jelly. After a few years of Neosporin being the
#1 product recommended for tattoo aftercare, it soon became apparent that it was falling short of its expectations.
Several people were coming up with allergic reactions to the ointment, and were getting tiny red bumps on their tattoos.
After these red bumps disappeared, they took the ink along with them and the customer was left with a "spotted" tattoo.
More recently, a new product showed up on the shelves. Bacitracin. Bacitracin showed promising advantages over
Neosporin. Fewer people were breaking out with allergic reactions and the coloring results were beautiful. Even to this
day, Bacitracin remains one of the most highly recommended products. So, why doesn't everyone recommend it?
Bacitracin, good as it may be, still has its failings. There are still people having reactions to it, even though the numbers
are fewer than with Neosporin. One of the main symptoms of a Bacitracin reaction is a "weeping" tattoo - one that leaks
a small amount of fluid from the wound even several days into healing. Some people just don't take well to anti-bacterial
ointments. If this is the case with you, what else is there?
Part 2: Alternative Solutions & Piercing Care
Alternative Solutions
This is why many artists now will also recommend A&D ointment as an alternative to Bacitracin. A&D is not anti-
bacterial, but it does contain two crucial ingredients, obviously - Vitamins A and D. These vitamins are very good at
healing abrasions and minor wounds because they keep the skin supple and protected from outside organisms. The
downfall with this product is that because it does not include any actual healing agents, it is not going to help you if you
are prone to infection. Most people really don't have to worry about this, though - as long as a tattoo is kept clean and
protected, infection fighting ointments are really more of a precaution than a necessity.
This brings us to the next alternative - lotions. Almost all artists will recommend using lotion after the first few days of
healing to keep the skin moist, but some will actually advise using nothing but lotion from day one.
This is where it can get a little tricky. All different brands of lotions contain different ingredients - some that are OK, but
some that can be very damaging to a new tattoo. Watch the ingredients - lanolin is an ingredient some will use, and
lanolin causes allergic reactions in a lot of people. Lanolin is the natural oil that comes from sheep's wool - if you're
allergic to wool sweater’s, you're going to be allergic to lanolin! Some also contain products such as (unpurified) bee's
wax, which can clog pores and even contain contaminants. First and foremost, your tattoo needs to be clean, and it
needs to breathe. If the pores are clogged, it’s going to cause infection. If you must use lotion, find one that is free of
dyes and fragrances.
Specially made tatttoo aftercare ointments have been highly recommended by the artists that use them, some will say
they're a waste of money. Now there are more products hitting the shelves that are specifically designed for tattoo care
and include other helpful ingredients such as sun-block and pain reducers. Check with your local artists and see if they
carry these products and whether or not they think they are suitable. The best thing to do is to listen to your artist, call
if concerned about your tattoo and it’s healing progress. If you experience any problems with the aftercare they
recommend, discontinue use immediately. If you already know you are susceptible to allergic reactions, let your artist
know and ask them what they would recommend as an alternative. Don't be stingy because the product they
recommend is $3.00 more than something else - your tattoo is going to last you for the rest of your life, especially if you
take good care of it.
responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don't take proper care of it. It is very
important that you follow these guidelines. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster if the proper aftercare is not
taken.
Your artist has given you care instructions, follow them to the letter. Every artist uses different techniques to apply a
tattoo, and usually they know which healing procedure will work best in conjunction with it. Don't listen to your friends,
other artists, or people you meet out and about.
Leave That Bandage Alone!
Your artist took the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason - to keep air-born bacteria from invading
your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and
infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of two hours. Excitement of having a new tattoo will make you want to
remove the bandage so you can show your friends, but your friends will just have to wait until later.
The only exception to this rule is if your artist covered your tattoo with saran wrap or some kind of plastic.
Wash and Treat
After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial
soap. Dial and Provon are my highest recommendations to gently wash away any ointment, blood and/or plasma and to
completely clean the area.
Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. (If your tattoo feels slimy and
slippery, you have probably been oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible - when the plasma
dries on the skin surface, it creates scabs.) Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to
get it completely dry.
Follow with a very light application of your choice of ointment. A&D vitamin enriched ointment would be my first choice,
but if you don't have any, Bacitracin or a similar antibacterial ointment is acceptable.
**Do not use Neosporin. This is a wonderful product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos. Some can have an
allergic reaction to the Neosporin, which causes little red bumps. When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you
end up with a polka-dotted tattoo.**
Specialty Products and Lotions
If you prefer, you can also use a specialty product such as Tattoo Goo. It's not necessary, as many over the counter
products work just fine, but it's your choice. Use the products as directed for 2-3 days.
After 2-3days of applying A&D, continue to keep your tattoo clean, start to use lotion when needed to replace ointment
and keep the tattoo area moisturized. Whatever lotion you use, it should be dye and fragrance free. A lot of artists
recommend Lubriderm. I have had great success with Eucerin aswell.
Aftercare Contradictions: Why there are so many views on what product is best.
Bathing, Showering, Hot Tubs, and Swimming
Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo. It's OK to get your tattoo wet - just don't soak it. Submerging your
tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so you'll want to avoid those for 2-3 weeks, but showering is
perfectly fine as long as you don't saturate your tattoo. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, just remove it quickly
with water. Swimming - whether it be a pool, fresh water or salt water - should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.
Scabbing and Peeling
After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. Excessive scabbing could indicate a poorly-
done tattoo, but a little is sometimes normal and there is no need to panic. Apply warm moist compresses to the scabs
for about 5 minutes 2-3 times a day to soften them and they will eventually come off on their own. (Do not apply
ointment or lotion to a softened scab - wait for it to dry) You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to
heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is
scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!
Protection from the sun
After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always (not just for the time being) want to protect it from the sun's
ultraviolet rays.
These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your
tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sun-block. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years, and it will continue to be a
source of great pride.
Why you Can Never Seem to Get a Straight Answer
I've gotten a lot of email lately asking about tattoo aftercare, and people wanting to know why there is so much
contradiction from one studio to the next when it comes to body-art healing. Admittedly, it can be quite confusing.
However, there are legitimate reasons why there are so many different opinions out there, and this article will explore
those reasons.
Many tattoo aftercare sheets recommend washing with anti-bacterial soap and treating with A&D or Bacitracin Ointment
for 3-5 days, and then following that up with skin lotion. There are companies out there that make products such as
<http://www.tattoogoo.com/> Tattoo Goo and <http://www.tattoolube.com/> Tattoo Lube that take out all the guessing
work and claim their products are designed specifically for aftercare and are superior to any other ointments.
There are so many different opinions out there, what is one to do?
Now these different instructions are not just arbitrary guesses by someone that knows little or nothing about tattoos. All
of the above are from professionals with years of experience and who have probably tried several methods of aftercare
before coming to a professional conclusion as to what is best. So, why is there such contradiction?
The first thing to consider is local availability. Not all products are available in every country, so you are limited to
certain products. And also, people in lands across the world all have varied skin types which will react differently to
these available products.
The Evolution of Aftercare
Through the years, as medical technology improves, new products have become available that are better than what
was once considered the best method of aftercare. Petroleum jelly was once one of the most largely used products - it
was highly available, inexpensive, and seemed to do the job fairly well. What has been found since then, though, is that
petroleum based products tend to drain the color from a tattoo and also have no healing agents.
Then, along came the over-the-counter triple anti-biotic ointment, Neosporin. It had a healing agent that was good at
fighting infection, and it didn't pull the color out of tattoos like petroleum jelly. After a few years of Neosporin being the
#1 product recommended for tattoo aftercare, it soon became apparent that it was falling short of its expectations.
Several people were coming up with allergic reactions to the ointment, and were getting tiny red bumps on their tattoos.
After these red bumps disappeared, they took the ink along with them and the customer was left with a "spotted" tattoo.
More recently, a new product showed up on the shelves. Bacitracin. Bacitracin showed promising advantages over
Neosporin. Fewer people were breaking out with allergic reactions and the coloring results were beautiful. Even to this
day, Bacitracin remains one of the most highly recommended products. So, why doesn't everyone recommend it?
Bacitracin, good as it may be, still has its failings. There are still people having reactions to it, even though the numbers
are fewer than with Neosporin. One of the main symptoms of a Bacitracin reaction is a "weeping" tattoo - one that leaks
a small amount of fluid from the wound even several days into healing. Some people just don't take well to anti-bacterial
ointments. If this is the case with you, what else is there?
Part 2: Alternative Solutions & Piercing Care
Alternative Solutions
This is why many artists now will also recommend A&D ointment as an alternative to Bacitracin. A&D is not anti-
bacterial, but it does contain two crucial ingredients, obviously - Vitamins A and D. These vitamins are very good at
healing abrasions and minor wounds because they keep the skin supple and protected from outside organisms. The
downfall with this product is that because it does not include any actual healing agents, it is not going to help you if you
are prone to infection. Most people really don't have to worry about this, though - as long as a tattoo is kept clean and
protected, infection fighting ointments are really more of a precaution than a necessity.
This brings us to the next alternative - lotions. Almost all artists will recommend using lotion after the first few days of
healing to keep the skin moist, but some will actually advise using nothing but lotion from day one.
This is where it can get a little tricky. All different brands of lotions contain different ingredients - some that are OK, but
some that can be very damaging to a new tattoo. Watch the ingredients - lanolin is an ingredient some will use, and
lanolin causes allergic reactions in a lot of people. Lanolin is the natural oil that comes from sheep's wool - if you're
allergic to wool sweater’s, you're going to be allergic to lanolin! Some also contain products such as (unpurified) bee's
wax, which can clog pores and even contain contaminants. First and foremost, your tattoo needs to be clean, and it
needs to breathe. If the pores are clogged, it’s going to cause infection. If you must use lotion, find one that is free of
dyes and fragrances.
Specially made tatttoo aftercare ointments have been highly recommended by the artists that use them, some will say
they're a waste of money. Now there are more products hitting the shelves that are specifically designed for tattoo care
and include other helpful ingredients such as sun-block and pain reducers. Check with your local artists and see if they
carry these products and whether or not they think they are suitable. The best thing to do is to listen to your artist, call
if concerned about your tattoo and it’s healing progress. If you experience any problems with the aftercare they
recommend, discontinue use immediately. If you already know you are susceptible to allergic reactions, let your artist
know and ask them what they would recommend as an alternative. Don't be stingy because the product they
recommend is $3.00 more than something else - your tattoo is going to last you for the rest of your life, especially if you
take good care of it.
Tattoo Healing Instructions