You endured the stinging pain for the time it takes for the tattoo artist to finish creating your tattoo. Now you are sporting a brand new tattoo that will be your pride and joy for sometime.
Right after you have left the tattoo salon is the time for you to take care of your new tattoo to ensure that it will not get infected and will heal properly. Normal healing time for a new tattoo takes about three weeks but this is not conclusive since healing times vary from person to person.
The most important thing is for you to take good care of your brand new tattoo. There are plenty of sources that you can look up to get advice on how to care for a new tattoo. Your tattoo artist will give you plenty of instructions. You can look up websites of other tattoo artists where they have helpful hints on how to care for tattoos. You can also take a look at the tips below on how to care for a new tattoo.
- Purchase medical supplies. To protect your new tattoo from dust and germs as well as stem the bleeding, your tattoo will be bandaged before you leave the tattoo parlor. You will be given or will have to buy antiseptic cleanser and ointment recommended for tattoos. You may also be advised to take over-the-counter pain reliever if you cannot tolerate the pain.
- A new tattoo is an open wound that needs to be cleansed and treated with medication to promote healing. As soon as you reach home or after an hour, remove the bandage that the tattoo artist placed over your tattoo. You can expect it to be bloody. It is important that you do not allow the blood to dry up as much as possible so that it will be easier to peel off the bandage. Remove the bandage carefully, to protect the tattoo and to stop the bleeding.
- Rinse the tattoo with clean water and then wash it with the antiseptic solution the tattoo artist recommended. Take care not to rub the area over the tattoo and try to remove all the dried up blood. Rinse and lightly pat the area dry. Allow the skin to air dry for at least fifteen minutes.
- If body fluids ooze out, dab it lightly with a soft, lint free cloth to dry the skin. Repeat the process throughout the day to prevent the fluid from drying over the tattoo and surrounding areas.
- Get the ointment and place a small amount over the tattoo. Do not apply too much as this may cause airborne bacteria to be trapped in the ointment and cause infection. Repeat the washing and application of ointment three times a day for three weeks.
- Wear loose and clean clothing over the area where the tattoo is located. You should also make sure that you are sleeping on clean bed sheets. Avoid getting your tattoo in contact with anything while it is healing as much as possible, particularly hands which carry a lot of germs.
- Do not scratch the tattoo or the skin around it while it is healing as this can disfigure the tattoo. You will notice that the skin over and around the tattoo will form scabs and will peel. Allow the peeling skin to fall off naturally. Never try to peel it off by yourself as some parts may still be fresh and will carry the inks that have been applied. Do the same for the scabs. Apply tattoo aftercare lotion to hydrate the skin and keep it soft and lubricated. This will help ease the itchy feeling from healing wound.
While you have learned the steps to care for a new tattoo, it is a good idea also to learn how to maintain your tattoo. Experts recommend that you should not expose your tattoo to extreme heat, like under the midday sun when you are sunbathing. You should also not indulge in long soaking baths, swimming and using the hot tub for a week after getting your tattoo. Wait for it to heal first before doing those things. If the tattoo is on a part of your body that needs to be shaved, it is advisable that you refrain from shaving it for at least 30 days after you’ve gotten your tattoo.
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