Tattoo Aftercare: What Not To Do

It is vital that you practice proper aftercare to ensure proper healing of your new tattoo. Most of the problems that arise are caused by poor tattoo aftercare.

Read on to know what NOT to do after getting your tattoo.

• Do not touch your fresh tattoo. Remember that this is a wound that is prone to infection.
• Do not remove the bandage for at least three hours. The cover is intended to prevent airborne contaminations from getting into the fresh tat.
• Once the bandage is completely removed, do not rebandage the tattoo. The tattoo needs to be exposed to the air in order to heal.
• When washing your tattoo, do not use a washcloth or any type of abrasive cloth. Never rub the ink but instead, gently pat it dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
• After washing, gently apply a fragrance free tattoo aftercare lotion such as Afterinked. Apply the lotion two to three times a day or as needed to keep your tattoo moist. A good tattoo aftercare practice is keeping your tat moisturised. This will ensure proper healing and less scabbing and peeling.
• For the first couple of weeks, do not expose your tattoo under direct sunlight. Also, do not use tanning beds or go sunbathing during this time.
• Avoid long steaming showers and do not go swimming until the skin is completely healed.
• Do not pick or scratch the tattoo.
• Do not shave or wax the area until the tattoo is completely healed.
• Do not apply alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as tattoo aftercare because these are harsh chemicals and will dry out your skin.
• Do not apply products with petroleum jelly such as Vaseline or Bepanthen. Widely used as an over the counter skin protectant, petroleum jelly or petrolatum is actually a by-product of the refining of petroleum to produce gasoline. Many side effects have been associated with it such as allergic contact dermatitis, skin bumps, and even tumors. Furthermore, petroleum jelly is not appropriate as tattoo aftercare since it may suffocate the wound by not allowing the skin to excrete or breathe.

Following good tattoo aftercare will help you end up with the best results for your tats.