HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR NEW TATTOO:

Congratulations! You just got a new lifelong companion! It’s important to remember that your tattoo is a wound. A very beautiful wound. Caring for your tattoo requires gentleness and patience.

1) Remove bandage

  • Your bandage should be on for at the very least a total of three (3) hours. Ideally, you keep it on for the first 24 hours.

  • If your bandage becomes uncomfortable or it is compromised at all: you experience intense itchiness, you feel that liquid is oozing out of your bandage, or you feel like you are suffocating in it, etc. Take it off! Listen to your body.

Once the bandage comes off, you don’t need to re-bandage the tattoo. It’s important to remember that the purpose of the original bandage is to act as a barrier between your new tattoo (AN OPEN WOUND) and all the yucky things that are out and about in the world. If the bandage is compromised, it’s then best to take it off! If you have a hole/ fluid are leaking out then it’s no longer “medically sealed". You don’t want to then have your tattoo sitting in a hot bath for all the yucky things that can get in there.

It usually takes a few hours for your skin to settle. I’ve found that what’s worked best for me, in my own healing, is keeping the bandage on overnight.

2) Clean your tattoo

  • Use mild/ unscented soap to clean your tattoo.

  • I recommend: Baby blue Dr.Bronners and Dial antibacterial soap.

Avoid touching your new tattoo at all costs. Contact with your fresh ink should be limited. Do not touch your tattoo and do not let others touch your tattoo. Our hands carry lots and lots of germs. Though it’s tempting, it’s best to just leave your tattoo alone. If you absolutely need to touch it, wash your hands before doing so.

For the first couple of days, you will need to clean your tattoo. Once or twice a day will do! Make sure that you use some gentle soap that is unscented (antibacterial is a plus).

I find it easiest to clean my tattoos in the shower. I like to cleanse my tattoos by creating a little lather in my hands and then gently washing my tattoo with little to no pressure while making circular motions. Once you have covered the entire tattoo with some soft bubbles, let some water gently run over your tattoo to wash away the suds.

3) Pat dry

  • Use a fresh paper towel to gently blot your tattoo.

DO NOT rub it harshly and do not use your regular shower towel- the rubbing can irritate your skin and maybe even have ink come off and your regular towel’s sanitation could be compromised.

4) Moisturize

  • Use a thin layer of an ointment to moisturize your tattoo.

I recommend healing your tattoos using moisturizers that are as natural as possible (i.e. jojoba oil, sea butter, and coconut oil).

I like to heal my tattoos with coconut oil and/ or unscented lotion.

I find that it’s easier to control the thickness of the amount that I put on. Mind you, that you want to maintain the tattoo moisturized just enough. A thin layer of unscented lotion will do.

Keep in mind that coconut oil may not work for some folks, since it can clog pores

I tend to advice folks to stay away from ointments such as: Aquaphor and A+D. The reason being: I’ve noticed in my own tattoo healing that these thicker, petroleum based ointments tend to clog and suffocate skin. Your skin needs air in order to heal. I find that my skin has an easier time “breathing” when I use thinner moisturizers. I’ve also noticed that more lint particles tend to stick to my tattoos. You want to avoid this, as it can cause an infection.

5) Leave it alone!

  • It’s normal to experience some pain, redness, swelling, itching, and other slight to moderate discomforts - especially during the first 48-72 hours. Symptoms should be mild and completely subside within a week or so.

    IF these conditions persist or worsen GO TO THE DOCTOR. Tattoo infections are real and can be dangerous!

  • I recommend using Bacitracin if you are experiencing discomfort. This ointment helps to prevent infections. Make sure you clean your tattoo before applying this and ,again, you want to use a thin layer.

  • It’s best to leave your tattoo alone and let your body do their healing thing.

  • DON’T SCRATCH OR PICK YOUR TATTOO. This can compromise the healing and remove ink from the tattoo.

6) Avoid sun exposure, swimming, soaking, straining exercise/ movements and tight clothes.

It’s best to avoid these things during the healing period, but especially the first week. Again, your tattoo is an OPEN WOUND. You want to take good care to avoid an infection.

I recommend not swimming for 3-4 weeks. Take it easy at the gym for the first week.

It’s best if you avoid sun exposure while the tattoo heals, especially if you’ve had color work done. Tattoo inks can burn and change color!

After 4 weeks, you may apply sunscreen before sun exposure and can go swimming/ hot tubbing/ whatever you’d like at your leisure.

 

If you have further questions, feel free to ask me directly: heybustfg@gmail.com

HAPPY HEALING! :•)