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New Tattoo Care

 

New Tattoo Care imageThese are the new tattoo care steps that need to be followed in order to insure proper healing of your new tattoo.

Tattoo care is as important as any step in the whole process and can be the difference between a good and bad tattoo, or having to return to the studio and having it fixed, then repeating the healing process again.

First make sure that the establishment that you choose is clean and sterile and that the pigments are fresh and the instruments are sterilized.

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Once you are comfortable with the shop and have gotten your tattoo done, follow these tattoo aftercare steps to guarantee tight lines, vibrant solid colors, and the fastest healing time possible.

These steps are only meant as a guideline and are for informational purposes only as they seem to vary from shop to shop. The tattoo artist will explain these steps to you in detail and also send you home with written instructions.

It's best to head home after getting your new tattoo, and begin the aftercare, within a couple of errors, (No more than 8) by removing the bandage. If it is sticking to the skin at all, dampen the bandage with a warm water compress, and when the bandage is soaked, gently remove it.

Remember this is a fresh wound to your skin and if you just rip it off you could remove some of the ink, and besides it will hurt.

tattoo aftercare picture 1

After removing the dressing, gently wash the area with a mild soap, and warm water, rubbing it with your clean fingertips. If the dried blood doesn't come off easily, don't scrub it hard. Reapply a warm compress briefly and repeat until the blood and soapy residue is gone, and then pat the area dry with a clean dry towel.

Once the skin is dry and has aired out for awhile, apply a very thin layer of an antibiotic ointment directly to, and slightly beyond the area, making sure the coating is even, and not to thick-thick is counter productive. You want the area to be protected from dirt and infection, but still able to breathe.

If the ointment is too thick, excessive scabbing could occur, potentially causing damage to the image. Following all these steps is important to your new tattoo care.

tattoo scabbing picture

Keep reapplying the antibiotic ointment two or three times a day for the next three days, but don't clean the tattoo again unless it becomes visibly dirty. Stop using the antibiotic ointment after the third day and switch to a quality skin cream product that's not filled with a bunch of junk.

Lubriderm or any unscented moisturize work well, as does coco butter and aloe, or any number of commercially prepared products. Continue this until the skin has quit flaking and don't let your new tattoo get dried out.

The tattoo will itch, its part of the healing process, but do not pick or scratch at it, or even rub the area; it will only prolong the healing and potentially damage the tattoo. The less you mess with it, the faster it will heal. Some people say that slapping the area helps, but don't beat yourself up.

You don't want to expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight for the first two weeks, or soak it in the bath, or go swimming, or play football, as these could cause the image to bleed ink and/or fade. Take warm, not hot showers and keep the tattoo covered with clean loose clothing that is soft. It's also a good idea hit the cold water for a few minutes before your done to close the pores and stop the sweating.

Everyone heals at different rates, but the whole process could take as long as four weeks, but usually one or two, and proper new tattoo care will only speed the healing process and insure that your tattoo is as detailed and vibrant as it was intended.

The only necessary care after the healing is complete, beyond normal skin care, is to protect your new tattoo from the damaging UV rays of the sun with a quality high SPF sunscreen, because like all inks, they will fade from the sun if not protected, and besides it's not good for your skin.

If you begin with proper new tattoo care and follow through, your tattoo will look great for a very long time. Thanks for visiting feminine tattoo designs at Angel Heart Tattoo. If your looking for some comic relief, take a minute and check out the history of the lower back tattoo design. Good luck on your journey.

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