How Do I Clean My Tattoo?
Aftercare for Your Tattoo – So, how can you make sure that new tattoo is something you don’t end up regretting? Follow these steps while your new tattoo heals.
- Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage.
- Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water and be sure to pat dry.
- Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don’t put on another bandage.
- Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and water and gently pat dry before reapplying the antibacterial/Vaseline ointment.
- Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean it to keep it moist.
You should repeat this process for 2 to 4 weeks. Also try not to wear clothes that will stick to your tattoo, and avoid swimming and the sun for about 2 weeks. And take cool showers. Scalding hot water will not only hurt, but it can also fade the ink. Wear a physical blocker sunscreen with at least 7% zinc oxide sunscreen during the daylight hours and/or cover it up (with clothing, a bandage).
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When can I wash my new tattoo?
The first wash – After usually no less than 5 hours, it is safe to remove the bandage and wash the tattoo. After thorough hand-washing, a person can gently wash the tattoo with hypoallergenic soap and warm water using their fingers. The moisturizer on the skin will come off, and the tattoo may appear as if it is oozing ink or a thick, sticky substance.
This reaction is not usually a cause for concern, as it is just the excess fluid and ink from the tattoo process. After washing, a person should pat the skin with a clean paper towel and allow it to air-dry for up to an hour.
When the area is completely dry, they can apply a thin layer of moisturizer to the tattoo, but leave it uncovered to allow the skin to breathe.
How can I clean my tattoo tattoo?
Tattoo Aftercare – Just as it’s important to care for your skin before getting a tattoo and during the tattoo process, it’s also important to continue this care following the tattoo. Your skin is healing at this point and the better care you can provide, the quicker it will heal.
The tattoo should be treated as an open wound, as that’s exactly what it is. Keep it clean at all times with a saline solution along with antibacterial soap. and moisturize using a suitable ointment or lotion.
Keep the tattooed area uncovered as much as possible to let it breathe and to also avoid rubbing on clothes.
Can I wash my tattoo with just water?
Showering tips – Yes, you can and should shower with a new tattoo. It’s okay to get your tattoo wet as long as you don’t soak it. Just try to keep your tattoo away from the actual water flow. Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so avoid those for 2-3 weeks, but showering is perfectly fine as long as you don’t saturate your tattoo.
Do tattoos need to be cleaned?
Why Cleaning a New Tattoo Is So Important – At the 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, and will advise how long you should wear the wrap for before removing it. 
Once you’re at the stage where you’re able to remove the wrap, now comes the big moment – the first clean. You must remember that as soon as you remove your wrap, you will want to clean your new tattoo right away. This is the first step into your tattoo aftercare routine. Cleaning a tattoo isn’t exactly the most pleasant thing to do, but it is so important throughout the whole healing process.
A good tattoo artist will also advise on the best way to clean your tattoo, and how often. When the artist wrapped your tattoo, the area had been sterilized and wrapped up bacteria-free. As soon as the wrap is removed, free-flowing air is restored to the area, and bacteria will begin to be able to thrive around the open wound, so it’s important to get the area cleaned up again as quickly as possible.
Not only this but the whole time the area was wrapped, it will have been seeping with blood , excess ink, and plasma. Don’t worry, though; this is completely normal, so don’t be alarmed if you see some blood running underneath your tattoo wrap. Things can get a little ugly underneath a tattoo wrap All of this oozing needs to be cleaned up to prevent excess scabbing. The plasma (clear gooey liquid) is a primary component in the scabbing process, and to prevent any thick, ugly scabs from forming, you will want to remove as much of this excess plasma as possible with the initial wash. Please note that your tattoo will definitely scab to some extent (it’s how all open-skin wounds naturally heal).
Do and don’ts after tattoo?
What should you not do after a tattoo?
What do I clean my tattoo with?
Aftercare for Your Tattoo – So, how can you make sure that new tattoo is something you don’t end up regretting? Follow these steps while your new tattoo heals.
- Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage.
- Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water and be sure to pat dry.
- Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don’t put on another bandage.
- Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and water and gently pat dry before reapplying the antibacterial/Vaseline ointment.
- Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean it to keep it moist.
You should repeat this process for 2 to 4 weeks. Also try not to wear clothes that will stick to your tattoo, and avoid swimming and the sun for about 2 weeks. And take cool showers. Scalding hot water will not only hurt, but it can also fade the ink. Wear a physical blocker sunscreen with at least 7% zinc oxide sunscreen during the daylight hours and/or cover it up (with clothing, a bandage).
How often do you moisturize a new tattoo?
Should I apply lotion to my tattoo? What kind of tattoo care products do you recommend? – Yes! Moisturizing your tattoo regularly is extremely important. You should moisturize your clean tattoo 3 – 6 times per day, for roughly two weeks (though proper skincare is always important, and most tattoo enthusiasts moisturize their tattoos daily for life!). A white cream lotion or moisturizer, preferably unscented, should be used! We recommend these fragrance-free, white cream lotions: Aveeno , Curel , and Eucerin . Be warned: your favorite fragranced lotion is not a good option for moisturizing your tattoo – this can cause an excruciating burning sensation when applied to the tattoo, which is essentially an open wound. The fewer chemicals in the product, the better! Pure cocoa butter or shea butter is also popular for darker skin tones and is a fine option. There are some manufacturers who design products specifically for tattoo aftercare that work well for long-term care (such as Tattoo Goo , H2Ocean , and Hustle Butter ). Do NOT use aloe vera gel to moisturize, and we don’t recommend A&D ointment either, as the oil in these products can extract some of the ink from your tattoo.
What do you wipe a tattoo with?
– If you have a tattoo, you might remember your tattoo artist using green soap on your skin before the procedure. Green soap is an environmentally friendly, oil-based vegetable soap. Professionals use this soap in medical facilities, tattoo parlors, and piercing studios to help sanitize and clean the skin.
Can I use Vaseline on my tattoo?
– Vaseline isn’t the best choice for tattoo aftercare. Petroleum jelly traps moisture and bacteria, which can lead to infections and scarring if your tattoo doesn’t get enough air while it’s healing. You may be able to use Vaseline on old tattoos if your skin is dry. aftercare ointments and lotions While your tattoo artist should give you the supplies you need for your immediate aftercare, you can also purchase extra ointment and lotion online:
- A+D ointment
- Eucerin
- Lubriderm
What soap is best for tattoos?
The All-Around Best Tattoo Soap – Across the board, “Dial Gold is the classic go-to,” says Bryce. Every single piercer or tattooer I’ve ever met has recommended this bathroom staple as the all-around best tattoo cleanser. It’s inexpensive and ultimately, one of the most effective soaps on the market for making sure your tattoo stays clean and free of infection.
- Something to keep in mind for folks with more sensitive skin is that while this soap is pretty much the holy grail of tattoo cleansers, it’s also not fragrance-free;
- If you’re prone to irritation from scented products, it might be best to steer clear of this fan-favorite and opt for something completely unscented, like the option below;
“Dial is the standard for keeping bacteria and germs at bay. I use it every day and it does not dry out my skin,” one Amazon reviewer commented. Another wrote, “This hand soap has all the right qualities: not excessively scented, rinses clean, no lotion feel, and economical to use.
Why is the ink on my tattoo coming off?
– Peeling is a normal and expected part of tattoo healing. Tattoo needles penetrate the epidermis , or the outer layer of skin, and the dermis, which lies beneath. This process creates thousands of small wounds that damage skin cells. Tattoos usually take about 2 weeks to heal, but it can take longer for the skin to fully recover.
- Peeling usually occurs a few days after getting the tattoo, as the skin begins to heal and regenerate itself;
- The regeneration process involves the skin removing dead and damaged cells;
- As the skin exfoliates itself, a layer of dead skin cells and ink pigment peels off, allowing new cells to grow;
Although some peeling is normal, excessive peeling could indicate a problem, especially if there are symptoms of infection and inflammation.
How do I know if my tattoo is healed?
You will know that your tattoo is completely healed when there are no scabs, the texture of your skin where the tattoo was placed is the same as a similar surface of skin, and the colors on your tattoo are no longer faded.
What cream is best for tattoo aftercare?
Aquaphor’s Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment is easily one of the most widely used treatments for tattoo aftercare, as myriad artists swear by it.
How do you know when tattoo is infected?
Can I clean my tattoo with alcohol?
With clean hands, remove the bandage and wash gently with warm water and a mild anti-bacterial soap. Make sure you remove all traces of blood, ointment and secretions. Wash until the area feels “squeaky clean”. Do not use a washcloth to wash your tattoo. This will be too abrasive to a new tattoo.
Pat the tattoo dry with a soft clean cloth. Do not rub it. Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your tattoo. It needs to stay moist in order to heal, and these products will dry it out. Cover the tattoo with a very thin layer of an anti-bacterial ointment, such as Aquaphor.
Do not use Vaseline or petroleum jelly. It will fade the color of your tattoo. Remember to rub in fully, like when applying lotion. It should NOT shine or feel sticky. If it does, you are using too much ointment. Once the tattoo’s initial covering is removed, do not cover it again during the healing process.
- The tattoo will need to be exposed to the air in order to heal;
- Wash the tattoo at least twice a day for the first week;
- Apply the ointment once or twice a day for the first three days, especially when you feel the tattoo is dry;
Keeping it moisturized will ensure the least amount of scabbing and peeling, thereby reducing the fading of the color. Make sure your hands are clean each time you rub lotion on it. After 3 or 4 days of using the ointment, switch to a moisturizing lotion.
- Use a fragrance-free lotion to prevent irritation;
- If it burns when applying lotion, wash it and apply a different lotion;
- Burning is a sign of irritation;
- Do not swim, soak in a hot tub or take a bath for two weeks after getting your tattoo;
Chemicals like chlorine and the bacteria found in most lakes will cause the tattoo to fade or cause an infection. If you see signs of an infection, seek medical attention. Soaking the tattoo will also cause the scab to come off faster and along with it, some of the ink.
Do not tan for at least two weeks after tattooing to allow it time to heal. After two weeks has passed, you may lie in the sun or go to the tanner as long as you put a layer of SPF 30 or higher sun block over the tattoo.
RAYS WILL FADE YOUR TATTOO!! If you expose it to too much sun, you might end up having to get it re-done in a few years to brighten up the color. Like any other wound to the skin, your tattoo will itch during the healing process. DO NOT SCRATCH IT. Scratching or picking will remove the scab and possibly some of the color from the tattoo.
