Healing your skin after a new tattoo is part of the process. It’s also quite personal to you. If you’re inexperienced, you’ll eventually get a feel for how to best care for your tattoos. But, here are some basic rules to follow for proper aftercare. Note that if you’ve received an adhesive bandage after your tattoo, you should start these aftercare steps ~24 hours after your tattoo session.
Keep It Clean!
Your fingers are probably dirty. We touch all sorts of things throughout the day. Before you touch your tattoo to apply ointment, wash your hands.
Keep your new tattoo clean with unscented soap and apply the moisturizer your artist supplies 2-3 times a day. Do this for 3-5 days until you notice peeling or a hard layer over your tattoo.
While peeling, avoid picking, scratching or doing anything that makes it fall off faster. You’ll want to start going easier on how often or with how much pressure your apply your moisturizer.
Beware of Sunlight!
The laser in the sky will make your tattoo fade. Don’t put sunblock on your fresh tattoo. Avoid situations with direct sun for at least 2 weeks, or wear a layer of clothing over your tattoo.
You can put sunblock over your healed tattoo in 2-3 weeks.
Don’t Submerge It!
Standing water of any kind (Bath, Pool, Lake/River/Ocean) is usually full of germs that your skin won’t like (and shouldn’t have to fight) as it’s healing. Avoid dunking your new tattoo in water. Showers are okay.
Don’t Overmoisturize!
Your healing tattoo needs to be able to breath. The ointment you use should either soak into the skin or form a very thin layer on the surface. Too much moisturizer will decrease the amount of ink that stays in your skin. Wipe any excess onto surrounding areas.
Take care of yourself!
Your tattoo needs to be clean, moisturized, and able to breathe. If you feel your new tattoo is dry, or touched something questionable. Simply wash it off and reapply ointment.
Also, try to drink water so that you’re hydrated enough that your body has space to move things around and take care of germs.
In about 14 days, your skin should be close to done with peeling.
If you have any questions, always ask your artist. We’ve seen and heard a lot of different aftercare routines and outcomes, and are happy to point you in the right direction.