Tattoo Aftercare Tips - How to Properly Care For Your Tattoo and Keep It From Fading

Tattoo aftercare:

First day back:

So you've just sat down for the last two and a half hours receiving your dream tribal symbol or Chinese butterfly tattoo design. Where do you go from here?

You have left the tattoo parlour with a lovely big white dressing and a huge bandage covering the whole of your arm. Allow the bandage to stay on for at least four hours minimum, or overnight if you received the tattoo in the evening depending on the time.

Make a point of gently washing the tattoo when removing the bandage and dressing with a sensitive non-perfumed soap, shower gel or body wash. Gently hand-wash the exposed area, making sure you use a clean soft cloths or sponge which will not allow any material to come lose, applying luke warm water & soap. Apply water to soak off any of the bandage material that that may have been left behind on the surface area.. Ensure you do not re-bandage the area as your new piece of fine body art will need air to heal. Wash and rinse the tattoo at least twice within a twenty-four-hour period. Whilst the tattoo is in its healing stage. Let your new tattoo design air dry naturally, you may have to wash it to keep it clean during this period follow the guidelines above. Once complete begin applying a small amount depending on the size, of the tattoo of non perfumed skin moisturiser lotion into the surface area rubbing it in until it has been absorbed by the skin.

A few people have been known to develop an allergy or allergic reaction to Bacitracin which is commonly used as an after-care antibiotic on tattoos. Triple antibiotic and other ointments may also contain the same chemicals. Because of this we do not always recommend its use, nor do we advocate the use of plain Vaseline. Lotions are most dependable in warm atmospheric conditions. Maintaining damp or moist conditions will accelerate the healing process, however your tattoo needs to breathe. Heavy applications of petroleum based ointments and products of such can suffocate and prevent the tattoo from healing fully causing a skin rashes an other irritations. It is possible for you to get the tattoo wet but do not douse or soak your tattoo design in the bath or shower for extended periods whilst the wound is in the healing process.

Whenever you work under un-sanitized conditions for example going to the gym, working under ground or wearing close or tight articles of clothing, ensure you wrap a paper towel completely over your tattoo. Attempt to wear loose articles of clothing around your tattoo design. It is normal for your skin around the tattoo to peel and flake off. Don't be surprised to find small pieces of discoloured skin while it is healing, this is natural and is part of the healing process. What ever you do, do not pick, rub, or scratch at the skin as this may cause scarring of the tissue. If you do find that your skin becomes itchy gently pat the skin as this will alleviate the itching sensation.

You may have to Wash and rinse your tattoo more frequently if you work near grease, chemicals, and dirty environments or if you have a tattoo near or around a body region in a high-bacterial location for example the armpits, buttocks, or genitalia. Do not expose your tattoo to chlorine, salt, inebriant or sunbathe for a minimum of 10 days. Pay close attention to lotions and ointments containing excessive alcohol.

Only expose tattoos to long periods of sunshine after they are completely healed. You must apply a high factor sunscreen, so as to protect it from the fading effects of radiation. Tattoos commonly acquire 7-10 days to heal completely. Then feel free to show off and enjoy.