Proper tattoo aftercare is very important in the first few weeks after receiving your new ink. Here are some very important tattoo care tips you may not have been told.
You probably spent a lot of time searching for and finally picking out the perfect tattoo and want it to last. You probably also want it to keep its vibrant color for as long as possible and there is a good chance you want to do everything you can to lessen the chances of getting an infection. Here is what you need to do.
First we should say this is not meant to be medical advice on proper tattoo aftercare, it is offered purely as information only.
1. Do not rebandage your new tattoo. You want the wound to breath so that healing will take place faster.
2. Do not submerge your new tattoo in water for at least three weeks. That means no swimming, no surfing, no soaking in the bath, no sitting in a spa. You can take a shower. If the tattoo gets a little wet from over spray, you can't help that, but don't let it get too wet. You can wash your new tattoo with a mild soap and cool water. The first time you will want to wash it gently with a wash cloth. After that, use your fingers to gently wash your new tattoo. During the healing process pat your tattoo to dry using a soft towel, don't rub it dry.
3. After washing your new tattoo apply a thin layer of moisturizer or healing ointment. Popular brands that work well include: A&D Ointment, Neosporin, and Bacitracin.
4. Do not expose your new tattoo directly to sunlight for at least a month. Do not expose your new tattoo to tanning salon bulbs for at least a month. Once your tattoo has properly healed you should always cover it with a sun block. A sun block product with a sfp factor of at least 30 is recommended.
5. If a scab forms during the healing process do not pick at it-let it heal and come off naturally.
6. For the next 7-10 days be sure to keep your tattoo moist with a non- fragrance lotion or moisturizer product. Your tattoo artist will make a recommendation. Just be sure to keep reapplying the moisturizer several times throughout the day. By keeping moist not only will it help it heal faster it will minimize the itching.
7. As the tattoo heals it will itch. Try to keep from itching it. Applying a moisturizer will help. Also you can slap, but not itch the tattoo.
You can take a look here for more information on proper tattoo aftercare.