So, you got yourself a new tattoo! You’ve spent big money getting the best tattoo artist you can afford and you’re very happy with your newly inked body art. But remember, the tattoo process doesn’t end when you leave the tattoo parlor. In fact, the most difficult part is in your hands, which is tattoo aftercare.
Tattoo aftercare isn’t really difficult to achieve, as long as you know what you’re doing. Keep in mind, a fresh tattoo should be treated as an open wound and great care should be done to prevent your new tattoo from getting contaminated.
It is expected for your tattoo artist to hand you instructions on how to take care of your new tattoo, but if you do a search in the internet, you will find that every tattoo parlor have their own tattoo aftercare instructions. This can be confusing, especially for first time tattoo goers.
To make things less confusing, below is a general list on how to take care of your tattoo, this will give you a head start on what to buy and having the items at hand before going to the tattoo parlor.
Be Prepared
Things you need to buy are: antibacterial soap, a bar soap is fine but liquid soap is easier to spread and you don’t really have to press to get it to lather, cotton towels or lint free paper towels and your preferred tattoo aftercare lotion.
Tattoo Care
Once your tattoo session is done, go straight home and don’t show off your new tattoo, at least not just yet. Remove bandage after 4 hours. Wash excess ink with lukewarm water using your antibacterial soap, pat dry. Never rub your fresh tattoo. Then apply a thin layer of your favorite tattoo aftercare lotion.
It is normal to find amber coloured fluid oozing from your tattoo, this called plasma and this substance is important in wound healing. When this fluid dries up, it will form a thick scab. In tattoo care, we don’t want any thick scab forming, so we need to wash this plasma often. Wash your fresh tattoo around 4 to 5 times a day, on the first few days or until oozing stops.
Scabbing and Peeling
After a few days, you will notice your new tattoo will form a thin scab. It is important to keep the scab soft, so it won’t ruin or cause any fading in the tattoo, this is the job of your aftercare lotion, apply as often as you can to moisturize the scab. At one point the scab will start to peel, one problem here is the incredible urge to itch. Do not pick or scratch, but you can slap it.
Once the scab has fallen off then you’re ready to go and show your new tat to your friends. Also, to keep your new tattoo from fading whether if its coloured or black is to use sun block every time you go outdoors.
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