How to Take Care of a Tattoo (2024)

FAQs

How to Take Care of a Tattoo? ›

Using a dressing over it for a few days, washing the area a couple of times daily, moisturizing several times, and avoiding sun exposure are some ways to care for your tattoo. Proper aftercare can reduce scarring and infections.

Using a dressing over it for a few days, washing the area a couple of times daily, moisturizing several times, and avoiding sun exposure are some ways to care for your tattoo. Proper aftercare can reduce scarring and infections.

Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while the tattoo is healing. Choose clothing carefully. Don't wear anything that might stick to the tattoo.

It's recommended you wait at least 24 hours before showering after getting a new tattoo. This allows the tattooed area to begin the healing process and reduces the risk of infection. Showering too soon after getting a tattoo may expose the open wound to bacteria and increase the chances of complications.

Do not use any healing ointment or moisturizer, only plastic wrap over your cleaned and dried skin. With this method, the tattoo is kept completely covered with plastic wrap 24 hours a day, for as long as it takes to peel—usually 3 to 5 days.

Aquaphor is a commonly recommended part of a tattoo aftercare regimen. It has hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties that can speed healing and make the process more comfortable. If you're getting some new ink, or have just gotten a tattoo, you may want to consider using Aquaphor.

What NOT to do? DON'T re-bandage your tattoo, rub, scratch or pick at your new tattoo. DON'T apply alcohol, Neosporin, Vaseline, or petroleum jelly (they can trap dirt and germs and cause infection).

Cleaning and Excessive Water Exposure

Who would have thought that cleaning the tattoo could also sabotage healing? Avoid submerging your fresh tattoo underwater or apply excessive water while showering. Our skin could absorb the water and damage the tattoo.

Foods to avoid include those that promote inflammation – red meats, foods high in sugar, salt and additives, as well as overly processed foods. These can interfere with the body's natural healing processes. The same is said to be true for an excessive amount of dairy.

Poor aftercare

Not taking proper aftercare precautions could also contribute to patchiness; picking scabs off your new tattoo, swimming or submerging it in the bath, exposing it to UV rays while it's still in the early stages of healing could all lead to ink loss and patchiness.

Can you sleep with a new tattoo uncovered? ›

A lot of tattoo artists recommend sleeping with the wrap that was put on. Others recommend re-wrapping, or just applying healing ointment and keeping the tattoo clean. The important thing is avoiding infection.

Days 2 to 3

Over the next couple of days, you may notice that your tattoo looks dull and cloudy. No need to panic or start thinking about a touch-up. This happens as your skin heals and new skin starts to form.

Tattoo blowouts occur when a tattoo artist presses too hard when applying ink to the skin. The ink is sent below the top layers of skin where tattoos belong. Below the skin's surface, the ink spreads out in a layer of fat. This creates the blurring associated with a tattoo blowout.

Once the tattoo is dry, apply a very small amount of Aquaphor or Bacitracin. Gently rub the ointment into your tattoo. Dab any excess off with a clean paper towel.

Your first night sleeping, your artist might recommend you re-wrap the tattoo with plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap) to sleep without the tattoo sticking to your sheets. This is generally for larger or solid-color tattoos. If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight.

Week one. Some tattoo artists recommend waiting between 24-48 hours before applying moisturizer, though others recommend doing so as soon as the first wash. A person with a fresh tattoo should follow their tattoo artist's instructions on when to start using moisturizer.

Until the surface of the tattoo is healed (at a minimum of two to three weeks), wash the area gently 2-3 times per day. After cleaning the tattoo during this two to three week period, gently apply a thin coat of a lotion-based care product. We recommend After Inked tattoo moisturizer and aftercare lotion.

Tattoo cream: how many days you need to apply it for optimal skin healing. After getting a tattoo, you should moisturize it daily for at least 10 to 14 days. Respecting these timeframes is absolutely crucial because, if your skin dries out, you are likely to get very disappointing results.