Congratulations on your new body art design

. If you are like most people who get their first tattoo, this tattoo will not end up being your only one

. But before you head back to the tattoo parlor for your second one, it is important that you care for the first one properly

. This is for the optimal look of the tattoo as well as optimizing the healing process following the design inking

. Maintaining your tattoo will keep it looking good for a long time to come

. Hopefully you chose to work with a good tattoo artist so they were able to minimize the trauma to the skin during the inking process which will allow for a faster healing time with less chance of infection and limited irritation

. Be sure to take good care right after you get the tattoo: The first thing to remember after getting a tattoo is to keep the bandage that the tattoo parlor places on you for at least one hour

. The new tattoo is really an open wound on the skin's surface and can become infected with bacteria or cause a patchy healing over the tattoo

. Keeping the bandage on will reduce problems from occurring

. Once you are ready to remove the bandage, soak it in warm water for a few minutes before peeling it off

. This helps the bandage to come away from the skin much easier especially if the skin has started to stick to the bandage

. You will not want to remove healing skin when removing the bandage covering so make sure to carefully and slowly take the bandage off

. If the tattoo was covered in a cellophane piece, you will want to remove it and replace with a non-stick gauze pad since this allows the tattoo to breathe and heal, at the same time as not trapping any bacteria in the open wound

. Once it is time to remove the bandage, clean the tattoo off gently with warm water and antimicrobial soap

. Soap made specifically for healing a tattoo may also be used here, but regular bar soap should not be used since it will dry out the tattoo area to much

. To wash the tattoo, lather the soap in your hand, apply to the tattoo, rinse off with the warm water and then pat dry with a clean, dry towel

. Following the cleaning, you should cover the tattoo with a moisturizing lotion or a product made for the healing of a tattoo

. Many tattoo parlors suggest using Neosporin, but follow what your tattoo parlor recommends since they may refuse to do touch-ups if you do not do as they instruct you to do

. If using a moisturizing lotion, make sure to use one that is free of fragrances and colors as these ingredients may cause irritation to the healing skin

. Apply the lotion or healing product, reapply the bandage for the first twenty-four hours

. After the first day, simply reapply the lotion or ointment thinly twice daily for the next three to five days or until the tattoo has completely healed

. Placing a bandage on after the first day may be up to you and how well the tattoo is healing

. The normal time a tattoo may take for healing is about six days to fourteen days, depending on your body's healing ability

. The tattoo may peel once or even twice before it is completely healed over

. Remember not to scratch, peel or pick at it

. Just leave it be and your tattoo will take care of itself and look allow it to look its best

. The tattoo may go through an ugly period during healing but don't worry since it will fix itself after complete healing takes place

. For a lasting tattoo, remember to apply sunscreen whenever exposing the tattoo to the sun's rays in the future

. Sunlight will bleach out the color of a tattoo and sunscreen will help to prevent that from happening, giving you a great look piece of body art for years to come

.