Greetings all!
Haven't posted in a while, welcome back!
One of the most important things I think I should touch upon is Aftercare. The tattoo artist is responsible for applying your tattoo properly and in a clean manner and with as little damage to the skin as possible. However, I feel that aftercare is the most important part of the tattoo process on the collectors part. Taking the proper steps to make sure your tattoo heals nicely, and caring for it after healing, is what will help it look good for years.
Here is a detailed rundown of how I care for my personal tattoos, and what I tell my clients.
1. Remove the bandage...
Most tattoo artists will cover the new tattoo upon completion, this is to keep anything from touching your open skin, as well as soaking up or catching any blood or other fluids that may be coming from the tattooed area. I never like to keep my tattoo covered for too long, usually no longer than an hour or two. I usually say, when you get home, take the bandage off and wash the area. This is so the open skin can breathe. If your tattoo is being suffocated underneath a bandage or plastic covering for too long, it will not begin to heal properly. It needs to be exposed to fresh, clean air to aide in the healing process. Once the bandage is off, the tattoo does not need to be covered again.
*NOTE* - Some people may need to cover their tattoos because of work. If you work in a dusty, dirty environment where your tattoo will be exposed, it is smart to try to keep your tattoo covered. However only a light covering should be used and be sure not to keep it tight on the tattoo. Something like a dental bib is good because it will not stick to your tattoo, nor will it suffocate it. It is ultimately your responsibility to keep the tattoo clean. If you think it may be necessary to take a few days off of work to avoid possible infections, than by all means do so! You paid good money for your tattoo, and it will be there forever.
2. Wash your tattoo...
Upon removing the bandage, make sure to wash your tattoo. This is to remove any blood or other fluids that have oozed out since the completion of the tattoo. Washing the tattoo is something that should be done daily, usually 2 - 4 times. Washing should be done with warm water and a mild antibacterial soap. Wash it gently, do not scrub it. I recommend liquid soap from a pump dispenser rather than a bar of soap. This is because bar soaps can hold onto bacteria. If you wash your dirty hands with a bar of soap, you're really just rubbing dirt onto the bar of soap. Then when you clean your tattoo with that same bar of soap, you can contaminate the tattooed area with the dirt and bacteria that was left on the bar.
If the tattoo is in an area that comes in contact with a lot of sweat throughout the day - wash it.
If your tattoo is on your hand or arm, and you bump into things during the day - wash it.
Bacteria is everywhere, and infections happen. Keep your tattoo clean.
You can shower pretty much right away, just try not to let the shower water beat directly on the new tattoo. Let the shower hit near the area and have the water run onto the tattoo. The water hitting directly onto the freshly tattooed area can knock off any scabbing or flaking that is part of the healing, pulling out ink.
3. Dry it and Air it out...
After washing your tattoo make sure to dry it. Gently pat it dry with a clean paper towel, do not rub it aggressively. Paper towels are preferred over a hand towel, because again, a previously used hand towel can hold onto bacteria which can transfer onto your tattoo.
After drying your tattoo, let it air out for about 20-30 minutes so any moisture will evaporate off your skin.
4. Moisturize the Tattoo...
Hustle Butter is best.
I always use Hustle Butter. Check out my other entry on Hustle Butter to find out more info on it.
Moisturize the clean, aired out tattoo with a very very thin layer of the ointment of your choice. I always recommend Hustle Butter, but A&D Ointment, Bacitracin, Aquaphor, etc. will work fine. Just make sure to put a very thin layer on. Applying too heavy of a layer will clog the pores and again, suffocate the tattoo, not allowing the skin to breathe properly. This can also cause blisters/pimples to form and possibly lead to infection.
After about a week or so, or after all of the scabs, flakes have come off (see step 5) you can switch to regular unscented hand lotion instead of ointment. The lotion is lighter on the skin, allowing it to breathe easier.
5. Scabbing and Flaking...
This isn't really a "step" but it is important. The tattoo will flake or scab up a bit. This is normal, don't worry. It is just the skin healing over and repairing itself, just like when you get any minor skin abrasion. DO NOT pick these off. Let them fall off on their own. Picking them off can pull out some of the ink that is in your tattoo, resulting in spotty areas in the fully healed tattoo.
6. Repeat steps 2-5...
Repeat these steps until the tattoo is fully healed. Its not as hard as it may seem, just keep it clean, go light on the ointment and let it breathe.
Other things to be mindful of...
-If you HAVE to work out, be careful of what your tattoo comes in contact with. The gym is DIRTY. People sweat on the equipment. Be careful. If you do go to the gym or work out, wash it after.
-No tanning or sun bathing until the tattoo is healed. The sun is the #1 thing that ages tattoos, so wait til its fully healed before going in the sun. And when you do go in the sun, make sure to apply sunscreen often - SPF 50 or higher. Applying sunscreen onto the tattoo before it is fully healed can irritate the skin.
-No baths or swimming (soaking) until the tattoo is fully healed, this can soften up the skin around the tattoo resulting in faded or spotty areas in the tattoo.
-Don't ask your friends for advice!! Ask a professional tattooer!!!
That's really it. It is a very simple process, but it should still be taken seriously.
Make sure to check out my other entry on Hustle Butter to learn more about my favorite tattoo ointment!!!
