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Tattoo aftercare is vitally important to the health of your new tattoo, and it must not be ignored. Many people believe that once the needlework is done, their tattoo is a lock, but that is far from reality. The fact is that unless you properly care for your new tattoo, it could easily fade, lose saturation, flake, scar, or you could wind up with an infected mess on your body.

But herein lays the problem: no one is sure what aftercare procedure is the best for everyone. But there are many similarities among the aftercare procedures, and professionals agree that healing a tattoo fast does not necessarill mean healing a tattoo well. So the best approach is one that covers all of the common denominators in the programs, as well as other low-risk steps.

Before getting into any specifics, it’s important that you follow your tattoo artist’s directions precisely. If their guidance conflicts with this article, always refer to their instructions. But in the absence of directions, here’s what you need to know.

Tattoo Aftercare Do’s

Do use an approved aftercare moisturizer / healing cream Do leave your initial bandage over your tattoo for at least four to six hours, but no more than 12 hours Do keep your tattoo out of direct contact with water (this includes the shower) Do keep your tattoo moisturized Do pat your skin dry when the tattooed area gets wet Tattoo Aftercare Don’ts

Don’t allow your tattoo contact with sunlight or tanning bulbs Don’t submerse your tattoo in water, and especially avoid chlorinated water Don’t let your tattoo dry out Don’t over moisturize your tattoo Don’t pick your tattoo scabs Don’t cover your tattoo with a bandage once the initial bandage has been removed Don’t scratch your tattoo or allow it to bruise Tattoo Aftercare Procedure

1) Your shop should give you directions on how long to keep the original bandage (or film) on your tattoo. Absent a timeframe, wait at least four hours after leaving the shop, and then wash your hands thoroughly with an antibacterial soap. Like when you were a kid, sing the alphabet song while scrubbing to make sure you wash long enough!

2) Carefully remove the bandage that was placed over your tattoo at the parlor. With a mild antibacterial soap, carefully wash the tattooed area, removing any of the greasy covering, ink residue, blood, etc. You can tell that the area is clean when it just feels like wet skin. Be very gentle with your skin. Pat your skin dry — do not brush or rub dry.

3) Apply a thin layer of moisturizer / healing ointment. Popular brands recommended at parlors include A&D Ointment, Neosporin, and Bacitracin. There are also tattoo-specific products that are designed exclusively for aftercare, and they include Tattoo Goo, H2Ocean Aftercare, and Black Cat Tattoo Cream. If you have a large, expensive tattoo, or a tattoo with deep colors that you want to protect, they are probably worth the investment.

4) Three to four times per day, apply a small layer of healing ointment to your tattoo. You will want to use enough to moisten the tattooed area, but not so much as to leave streaks or allow it to build up. Your goal is to moisturize the area only, so start with a small amount and work it in with your fingers.

The problem with over moisturizing the skin is that the inks can seep and fade from moisture, and that moisture includes more than just water. If you slather on a thick coating of Neosporin and keep it saturated throughout the day, your tattoo might heal in just over a week. Great news? Not so fast — it will also result in faded inks. If, however, you lightly coat the area three to four times per day, your tattoo might take two to three weeks to heal, but the colors will set properly. This is a tough lesson for many to learn. In some cases, letting the body heal at its own pace makes more sense to your tattoo.

5) Cover the tattooed area with light, loose fitting clothing, and be mindful of your tattoo. Don’t scratch or pick your tattoo! If you must, gently slap the skin or use rubbing alcohol to relieve any itching or irritation.

While there might seem to be quite a few steps to follow, they are quite simple. The bottom line is that you need to be mindful of your tattoo, and allow the body to heal itself as naturally as possible. You will do everything you can to assist that process, but you don’t want to rush nature. If you can do that, and stay diligent with your care for 2 to 3 weeks, you will be blessed with a deep tattoo that can be enjoyed for years to come.

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