Taking proper care of your new tattoo is crucial for both the healing process and preserving its appearance throughout your lifetime.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about how to clean a tattoo properly, as well as its aftercare and maintenance, to ensure a healthy, vibrant, and long-lasting result.
Importance of Cleaning a New Tattoo:
A new tattoo is essentially an open wound, and as such, it is susceptible to infections and other complications if not properly taken care of.
Ensuring you undertake great tattoo aftercare is essential if you want a great-looking that will stand the test of time.
One of the most important tasks to get right throughout your healing process is cleaning your tattoo correctly and effectively.
At the tattoo studio, after your artist has finished their work and you’re happy with it, they will proceed to wipe your tattoo down with antibacterial soap and wrap it up in either a plastic or a surgical wrap.
A good tattoo artist will also advise on the best way to clean your tattoo and how often to do so. Not only will proper tattoo cleaning help prevent infection, but it will also promote fast and efficient healing throughout the aftercare period.
Bandage and Initial Care:
After getting your tattoo, it is important to keep the bandage on for a minimum of 6 hours. We recommend keeping it on overnight, provided the dressing feels comfortable and secure.
If you decide to remove the bandage before going to sleep, follow the instructions in the next section to properly remove the bandage and clean your tattoo.
On your first night, there’s a chance your tattoo will still bleed. The blood can dry overnight and stick to your clothes or bedding. If this happens, gently take the fabric off.
DO NOT force it off or be rough with it. If it still does not come off, wet the area with lukewarm water and gently slide it off.
Weeping and Plasma:
Fresh tattoos sometimes “weep” during the first couple of days, meaning that plasma and ink form a thin moist coating on the skin.
This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel. Press the paper towel to the skin and remove it. Do not wipe the tattoo or be rough with it.
Do not panic when you see the colors of the tattoo on the paper towel, or on your hands as you clean it. This is simply excess ink being secreted from the surface of the skin.
To avoid stains, use towels and bedsheets with darker tones and wear dark clothing.
Taking off the Bandage and Cleaning Your Tattoo:
Before you start, make sure your hands are clean and you have unscented antibacterial soap ready. Avoid soap with fragrance, moisture beads, or scrubs.
Step-by-Step Tattoo Cleaning Process:
⦁ Carefully remove the bandage and tape. If you feel the bandage sticking to the tattoo, wet it with lukewarm water and gently slide it off.
⦁ Make lather your hands with soap and warm water. NO washcloths, bath towels, or sponges on a fresh tattoo.
⦁ Gently clean the tattoo using a circular motion until all ointment and plasma are removed.
⦁ Rinse the tattoo gently until the skin is clean.
⦁ Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel then allow to fully air dry for a minimum of 10 minutes. DO NOT SCRUB.
⦁ Once the tattoo is dry, apply a very small amount of Aquaphor or Bacitracin. Gently rub the ointment into your tattoo. Dab any excess off with a clean paper towel.
⦁ Applying too much ointment can cause your tattoo to “suffocate.” Apply only a very thin coat so your tattoo can breathe.
⦁ Clean your tattoo this way once a day in the shower for the first 2-3 days.
⦁ There is no need to re-bandage the tattoo, but please be mindful that your tattoo is a wound and when unwrapped, it is prone to dirt and bacteria which may cause infection. Avoid direct contact with any surface.
Your Daily Tattoo Aftercare Routine:
Apply the Aquaphor or Bacitracin 2-3 times a day (Remember, keep it light!) for the first 5-7 days or until your tattoo starts to flake/peel like a sunburn.
When the peeling begins, switch to a regular FRAGRANCE FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance-free brand for an additional 2 weeks.
Your tattoo should be completely healed within 2-4 weeks:
If you have extremely sensitive skin, the lotion may cause breakouts. If this happens, just reduce the number of your daily lotion application.
Avoiding Infections and Complications:
After the first few days, your tattoo may become itchy or begin to form flaky scabs. They will fall off on their own, so DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR TATTOO. Doing so can cause some of the pigment to disappear, and your tattoo may not heal properly. Keep it moisturized and the scabs will eventually dissipate.
Important Dos and Don’ts:
⦁ Clean towels, bedding, and clothes are highly recommended during the healing process.
⦁ Showering is fine, however, please DO NOT soak your tattoo for at least 2 weeks. This means no swimming, baths, or submerging your tattoo in water for long periods of time.
⦁ Avoid direct sunlight on your tattoo for at least 2 weeks and your tattoo is completely healed. After that, we advise putting on sunblock (minimum SPF 50) on your tattoo whenever you find yourself in direct sunlight for the rest of your life. The sun will undoubtedly cause damage and compromise the longevity of your tattoo.
⦁ Wear loose clothing (preferably cotton) and avoid constricting accessories like bra straps and tight waistbands over a fresh tattoo. Avoid dirty, sweaty, or itchy clothing as they can create healing problems.
How to Care for Tattoo in the Summer:
Tattoos are made to last a long time if not pretty much forever. However, due to water, salt, sun exposure, scratching, peeling, and other factors, it will lose its shine and begin to peel and fade after some time.
Preventive is better than cure, so here’s what to do to preserve the tattoo in its original shape and have it looking dashing for a long time.
Sun Protection Tips for Tattoos:
⦁ Moisturize daily. Even a roll-on can prevent unnecessary sweating which could cause the tattoo to lose its original shine.
⦁ Apply sunscreen daily, especially when you’re going to be working outside and leave the tattoo exposed, or go to the pool or the beach.
⦁ It’s best to cover the inked area with an SPF 45 sunscreen or even higher.
⦁ Ensure that the physical blocker sunscreen contains at least 7% of zinc oxide.
When to See the Doctor:
If you experience any unusual or concerning symptoms during the tattoo healing process, it’s important to consult a medical professional. Visit the doctor if:
⦁ Your tattoo wound begins to ooze.
⦁ Your tattoo begins excess scabbing which lasts for a long time.
⦁ You experience the symptoms of fever or have a high fever.
⦁ The swelling of the tattoo wound hasn’t soothed for over a week after getting your tattoo done.
⦁ There’s an excessive rash that isn’t soothed even after using a moisturizer or other ointment.
Lastly, always work with certified, knowledgeable, and experienced tattoo artists. You should never gamble or play with your health, as it could end up badly for you and your health.
FAQs:
How long after a tattoo can you have a bath?
After getting a tattoo, it’s generally recommended to wait at least 2-3 weeks before fully submerging the tattooed area in water, such as in a bath, pool, or hot tub.
This allows time for the tattoo to heal properly and helps prevent infection. During the initial healing period, you should keep your tattoo clean and dry, and avoid soaking it in water.
However, you can still take showers during this time, just make sure to avoid directly spraying the tattoo with high-pressure water, and don’t let the tattooed area stay wet for an extended period. Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel after showering.
How often should you moisturize your tattoo?
Moisturizing is an essential part of tattoo aftercare. Generally, you should start moisturizing your tattoo once the initial healing phase is over, which typically takes about 2-3 days.
After that, you can begin to apply a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic lotion or tattoo-specific moisturizer to the tattooed area.
You should moisturize your tattoo several times a day, usually around 2-4 times, or whenever the skin feels dry or tight. It’s essential to apply just a thin layer of moisturizer, as over-moisturizing can cause issues with the healing process.
Continue moisturizing your tattoo for at least two weeks or until your tattoo has fully healed. It’s best to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your tattoo artist, as they may have specific recommendations based on your tattoo’s size, location, and details.
How often should I wash my tattoo?
During the initial healing process, it’s important to keep your tattoo clean to prevent infection. You should wash your tattoo gently with soap and water 2-3 times per day
especially during the first few days.
Here’s a general guideline for washing your tattoo:
After your tattoo artist has completed the tattoo, they will usually cover it with a bandage or protective film.
Keep this on for the recommended time, typically around 2-4 hours, or as advised by your tattoo artist
Once you remove the bandage or protective film, gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Use your fingertips to clean the area and avoid using a washcloth or anything abrasive.
Rinse the tattoo thoroughly, ensuring that all soap residue is removed.
Gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean towel or disposable paper towel. Do not rub the area, as this may cause irritation.
After the initial 2-3 days, you can reduce the washing frequency to once per day or as needed to keep the tattoo clean.
Summary:
In conclusion, proper tattoo cleaning and aftercare are essential for a healthy and long-lasting tattoo. By following this comprehensive guide, you can ensure your tattoo heals efficiently and maintains its vibrancy for years to come.
Remember to consult a medical professional if you experience any unusual symptoms or complications during the healing process.
And most importantly, always work with a reputable, certified, and experienced tattoo artist to ensure the best possible outcome for your tattoo.