Tattoo aftercare is crucial, not only to maintain the look of the tattoo, but also to your health. Even with a perfectly designed tattoo, without the correct aftercare, your dream of a great tattoo can turn into a real nightmare, no matter if it is a large tattoo or a small one, if it is your first one or not. The good part however is that if you follow all the instructions thoroughly, the chance of getting an infection or damaging your new tattoo are insignificant.

Once you leave the tattoo saloon you are the only responsible for taking care of your tattoo. The artist cannot be blamed for any problems that may appear, such as infections. This article will cover some basic but very important tips for a proper tattoo aftercare.

First, keep the bandage on the wound for at least 2 hours but no more than 8 hours. The purpose of the bandage is to avoid contact with air-borne bacteria or other contaminants that might invade the affected skin.

Think about your tattoo as an open wound. That means you always need to wash your hands carefully before you touch the area to clean it. The bandage removal has to be done slow and cautiously. Do not force it, even if it sticks. Instead, use a little water to wet the sticky part and then continue pulling your bandage off gradually. If you do not pay attention to this, you can seriously damage some dried parts or the scab that have probably formed already.

After you have successfully removed the bandage, use a mild antibacterial soap and warm water to clean the area. Then rinse it smoothly with your hand or a soft cloth to eliminate all the remaining blood, plasma and ointment. Do not ever rub or scrub the tattoo within its first days, but tap it tenderly with a dry and clean towel.

The first tattoo cleaning requires a 10 minute period for drying, and after that you can apply a layer of tattoo aftercare solutions that your tattoo artist suggested or you have chosen yourself.