How To Take Care Of Your Tattoo

Your duty to your new tattoo does not end with the application process. You will need to take care of it well after it is attached so you don't develop problems with infection and other complications. Here's how.

Getting a tattoo is no joke.  It takes a lot of preparation to be able to choose a tattoo design, and an even harder preparation period to finally go through with the whole tattooing process.  However, your responsibility and work does not end there.  In order to make the best out of your tattoo, you need to know how to be able to take proper care of it.  A lot of things can still go wrong with your tattoo. An infection could follow, especially if you do not take good care of it.  Here are a few helpful hints on how you can take care of your tattoo.

1) Remove the wrap.

Once you are done with getting your tattoo, make sure that you remove the protective wrap that the artist has placed over your tattoo.  It is advisable that you remove the protective wrap from an hour or two up to 12 hours of being wrapped in order to avoid any infection that may be caused by prolonged wrapping.

2) Wash your tattoo.

Some people do not wash their tattoo for fear of it coming off.  This is not a good idea since you constantly need to keep your tattoo and the area around it clean in order to avoid any infection.  Wash your tattoo with soap and water, and rinse briefly.  Do not hold your tattoo under running water.  Just make sure that you clean the tattoo enough to remove whatever ointments or dirt that may be on your tattoo. 

3) Avoid the sun.

Do not expose your tattoo to the sun too much.  Too much exposure can cause your tattoo to itch a lot, and can cause your tattoo’s color to change or fade.  Whenever possible, try to avoid the sun, and keep your tattoo in the shade until it has fully healed.

4) Do not wear constrictive clothing over tattoo.

Wearing clothing that constricts over your tattoo tends to irritate your tattoo, causing it to itch and increases its tendency to become infected.  Make sure that you allow your tattoo to breathe even if you are wearing clothes that will cover them.

5) Leave it alone.

Never scratch or pick your tattoo, especially while it is healing.  You may damage the quality of the tattoo.  Just allow your tattoo to heal, and don’t attempt to do anything to it while it is healing, aside from putting ointment on it. 

6) Avoid soaking your tattoo.

Soaking your tattoo in swimming pools, bathtubs, and hot tubs should be avoided as well, since soaking your still healing tattoo will change its quality and color. 

Be sure that you take care of your tattoo as it is healing.  If something should go wrong with your tattoo, you will be forced to live with it since tattoos are permanent. 

Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.