Basic Tattoo Aftercare – 10 Things That You Should Not Do

If you do not practice good tattoo aftercare, then you might end up with a faded tattoo or infected skin. Aside from basic tattoo after care, you must know the things to avoid after getting a tat. Read on to know the 10 things that you should not do after getting inked.

1. Do not touch, scratch, or pick your fresh tattoo. Just like any other wound on the skin, this is prone to infection. Signs of infected tattoo are prolonged swelling, redness, warmth on the tattooed area, and yellowish or green discharge.
2. Do not expose your wound for at least three hours after the procedure. Keep the bandage on to prevent airborne contamination.
3. Do not use any type of abrasive material or washcloth when washing your tattoo. Do not rub the area but only pat it dry with a clean soft cloth or paper towel.
4. Do not wear any tight clothing over the freshly tattooed skin. Instead, wear loose clothing to avoid irritating or scraping the area.
5. Do not expose the area under direct sunlight for at least a couple of weeks. Tanning beds are also contraindicated.
6. Do not go swimming until the skin is healed completely. Avoid steaming showers, Jacuzzi, or saunas during this time.
7. Do not wax or shave the tattoo area until it has completely healed.
8. Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound because these are too harsh for the skin. It can leave you with dry skin and a damaged tattoo.
9. Do not use products that contain petroleum jelly such as Bepanthen or Vaseline. Petroleum jelly or petrolatum is not designed specifically for tattoo aftercare. Although widely used as an over the counter skin protectant, it is believed to clog the pores in order to retain moisture. If this happens, there can be clogging of pores. Furthermore, many side effects have been associated with it such as allergic contact dermatitis, skin bumps, and even tumors.
10. Do not forget to keep the tattoo moist. After washing, gently apply a fragrance free tattoo lotion made specifically for tattoos such as Afterinked. Apply the lotion thrice a day or as needed to ensure proper healing and less scabbing and peeling.

Tattoo aftercare is just as important as planning for the tattoo design. Ensure that your ink will stay as stunning and vibrant in the coming years as well. Aside from basic tattoo aftercare, you should also know the things that you should not do after getting a tattoo.