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Getting a tattoo can be an overwhelming experience. A lot of time is invested in the design decision and sitting in the chair so that you walk away with an eternal piece of body art you can be proud of. Caring for your tattoo in the immediate days afterwards is essential to preserving its overall longevity. The following page contains detailed instructions on how to care for a tattoo through the healing process and beyond.
- Ink is forever. Once you commit yourself to a tattoo you will want to keep it looking as bright and beautiful as the day you had it done. The minute you leave the tattoo shop, it's up to you to care for your tattoo throughout the healing process so that the delicate design is not scarred or damaged. Some tattoo artists will walk you through proper care instructions, while others simply hand you a packet of information and send you on your way. The following information is a clear-cut approach to tattoo care that will guide you through the healing process.
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Tattoo Care Tips
- Don't let the adrenaline go to your head.
- Leave the initial bandage in place for at least two hours.
- Wash tattoo gently with warm water and a mild soap.
- Air dry or pat gently with a paper towel.
- Apply a light coating of healing salve.
- Avoid sunlight and lengthy exposure to water.
- Once tattoo starts to scab, switch to an unscented, mild lotion.
- Don't pick at or peel scabs.
- If the tattoo itches, lightly slap the area. Don't scratch!
- If your tattoo becomes infected, seek immediate medical attention.
- After your tattoo heals, protect the colors from the sun with sunscreen.
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Step 1: The After High
- Many people don't realize that getting a tattoo can produce a rush of adrenaline, which for some can cause a lightheaded or dizzy sensation. Necropolis Tattoo: Tattoo FAQs Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure you have someone else available to drive you home. Mosaic: The Truth Behind Tattoos (March 17, 2004)
- Give your blood sugar a boost by eating something afterward. Necropolis Tattoo: Tattoo FAQs
- Take a nap. Bella Online: Pre-Tattoo and Post-Tattoo Self Care
- Make sure you stay hydrated. Bella Online: Pre-Tattoo and Post-Tattoo Self Care
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Step 2: Early After Care
- Before you leave the tattoo shop, the artist will cover up your new ink with a gauze bandage. As much as you might be tempted to tear it off and flash your tattoo to all of your friends, keep in mind that the bandage is there to keep air-borne bacteria from infecting your new wound. Tattoo Aftercare: How to Take Care of Your New Tattoo (November 8, 2007) Advice varies from artist to artist, however the majority of tattoo shops advice you to keep the bandage on for a minimum of two hours. After two hours, the Milwaukee Health Department warns you risk the gauze drying to your skin. Milwaukee Portal: Tattoo Aftercare (231.06 KB)
- The early care regimen for a new tattoo is simple:
- Carefully remove bandage about two hours after leaving the tattoo shop. Tattoo Aftercare: How to Take Care of Your New Tattoo (November 8, 2007)
- In the event that the bandage sticks to your skin, use warm water to slowly loosen and remove it. Rising Dragon Tattoo: Take Care Instructions
- The Mayo Clinic and others advise you to wash with warm water and a mild antibacterial or antimicrobial soap. Divinity Tattoo: How to Take Care of Your Tattoos Tattoo Aftercare: How to Take Care of Your New Tattoo (November 8, 2007) MayoClinic.com: Tattoos: Risks and precautions to know first
- Allow skin to air dry for about ten minutes, or pat gently with a paper towel. Southside Tattoo: Southside Tattoo Care Instructions
- Apply a thin layer of a salve like A&D Ointment, Bacitracin, Herbal Savvy or the tattoo shop's own special blend. Black & Blue Tattoo: Taking Care of your Tattoo
- Apply salve as needed, at least three times a day to keep skin hydrated, for three to five days. Tattoo Aftercare: How to Take Care of Your New Tattoo (November 8, 2007)
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Things to Avoid
- Over-saturating your tattoo with too much salve. Southside Tattoo: Southside Tattoo Care Instructions
- Aloe vera: it tends to heal the skin too quickly. Black & Blue Tattoo: Taking Care of your Tattoo
- Neosporin: Neosporin and its generic alternative heal the skin too quickly. It has also been known to cause allergic reactions which result in raised dots that damage the ink in tattoos. About.com: Tattoo Aftercare - How to Take Care of Your New Tattoo
- Vaseline: and other oil-based products like baby oil will clog the pores and delay the healing process. Black & Blue Tattoo: Taking Care of your Tattoo
- Hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol will fade the color before your tattoo heals. Milwaukee Portal: Tattoo Aftercare (231.06 KB)
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Step 3: The Final Healing Stages
- Tattoos can take as much as three weeks to heal. Black & Blue Tattoo: Taking Care of Your Tattoo Healing time depends on the location and size of the tattoo, as well as the care that has been taken. Regardless of your healing time, you'll still want to follow the same longterm care steps to ensure that your tattoo heals properly and maintains its shape and color.
- According to the Milwaukee Health Department, don't submerge your new tattoo underwater for too long. Milwaukee Portal: Tattoo Aftercare (231.06 KB) That means avoid pools, the ocean, saunas, hot tubs and long baths. Black & Blue Tattoo: Taking Care of Your Tattoo Showering over the longterm healing process is your best bet.
- After about five to seven days, follow the city of Milwaukee's advice and replace the ointment or salve with a hypo-allergenic, scent free lotion. Milwaukee Portal: Tattoo Aftercare (231.06 KB)
- As the tattoo heals, your skin will become flaky and itchy. Southside Tattoo: Southside Tattoo Care Instructions Heed the Mayo Clinic's advice and don't itch, scratch or pick at scabs to avoid infection and damage to the design. MayoClinic.com: Tattoos: Risks and precautions to know first
- Avoid wearing tight clothing over the tattoo until it is fully healed. Milwaukee Portal: Tattoo Aftercare (231.06 KB)
- HEALTH NOTE: If at anytime during the healing process your tattoo becomes painful, red, swollen or begins draining blood or pus, immediately seek medical attention! According to MayoClinic.com, not only could an infection damage your tattoo, it could lead to conditions such as pneumonia, blood poisoning and serious skin afflictions. MayoClinic.com: Tattoos: Risks and precautions to know first
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Step 4: Long Term Care
- Because tattoos are forever, you want to do everything in your power to maintain their beauty. Here are a few things you can do to ensure the longevity of your skin art:
- Before you even leave the tattoo shop, check with your artist on the shop's touch-up policy.
- Some shops will do tattoo touch ups for free during the first three months.
- Many shops state that once you leave the shop the tattoo is your responsibility. Exposed Temptations: Tattoo and Piercing After Care
- The Milkwaukee Health Department counsels that sun fading is one of the most common forms of long-term tattoo damage. You can avoid it by coating your tattoo in sunblock before you even leave the house. Divinity Tattoo: Care for Your Body: How to take care of your tattoos
- Moisture will keep the color bright. Be sure to keep your tattoos moisturized, especially if you tend to have dry skin.
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Conclusion
- The increasing popularity of body art may be just a fad, but tattoos are forever. Once you commit to inking your skin, that choice will be with you for the rest of your life. To avoid general discontent with your tattoo, choose an artist and design carefully. Follow after care instructions to the letter. Avoid soaking in water, keep it clean and, as much as it tempts you, hands off during scabbing! Remember that the sun and tattoos are mortal enemies, and in the end the sun will always win, unless you protect your ink with adequate sun block.
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