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.
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.
Use mild soap like Dove, Ivory or Dawn dishwashing liquid. It's best to avoid very hot water. Be sure to remove all the Vaseline – it usually take 4 to 6 or more times washing and rinsing the tattoo before the vaseline is gone. Pat dry with a fresh, clean towel.
Use lukewarm or cold water, and keep the tattoo from heavy shower flow, instead opting to gently rinse the area of your tattoo. Make sure the bandage is secured to your skin before you expose it to water pressure from the shower.
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!).
How Should I Take Care of a Tattoo After a Shower? After taking a shower, gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean, dry, lint-free towel or paper towel. Next, if you practice the wet healing method, apply a thin layer of unscented, alcohol-free moisturizing ointment.
After you remove the bandage, you should wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap to gently remove any ointment, blood, and plasma and to completely clean the area.
-Ointment such as Bepanthen first aid, or a tattoo specific aftercare product such as supreme crème. (Do not use anything with aloe in it, antiseptic/iodine ointment, Lubriderm, Chapstick, Vaseline or haemorrhoid cream).
You may have heard some rumours that Bepanthen shouldn't be used on new tattoos, but this absolutely isn't the case. Bepanthen is by far one of the most highly recommended tattoo aftercare products and is the go-to ointment for most tattoo artists and studios.
You'll want to keep the tattoo wrapped for at least the first night because it will take a while for it to settle down and stop leaking. You don't want an open wound like that touching your bed sheets, getting blood everywhere, or dirt and dust getting into the wound itself.
During these first few days, it is normal for your tattoo to feel sore and tender. You may also see redness, swelling, and some mild bleeding. DAYS 3-14 (or until healed): After the first 2-3 days, your tattoo should begin to feel dry and tight.
Application of Bepanthen® Ointment 4–8 times daily for 14 days on newly tattooed skin.
Wash your hands, and thoroughly wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and fragrance-free liquid soap to remove any residue. I suggest QV wash, Cetaphil, Dermaveen or Dr Bronner's unscented wash. Pat the tattoo dry with paper towels or a clean cotton towel, and let air dry for 10 minutes before moisturising.
You'll want to keep the tattoo wrapped for at least the first night because it will take a while for it to settle down and stop leaking. You don't want an open wound like that touching your bed sheets, getting blood everywhere, or dirt and dust getting into the wound itself.
While you don't want to forget to wash your tattoo for days on end, if you miss a couple of cleaning sessions, don't worry. Your skin will continue healing. Just pick up where you left off as soon as you can.
The healing process is different for every person and tattoo. Most sources indicate that tattoos generally take about 2 weeks to heal. However, it may take up to 4 weeks for the skin to fully recover. Some complications may prolong the healing process.
While it's true that you should avoid soaking your tattoo in hot water for the first few weeks, showering with hot water is perfectly fine. In fact, hot water can actually help to speed up the healing process by increasing blood flow to the area.
While it is healing, NEVER touch your tattoo without first washing your hands with a mild, liquid antibacterial soap. Initially, leave your bandage on for 1-3 hours. After removing the bandage in a clean environment, gently wash the tattooed area with warm water and an antibacterial soap. Do not scrub.
"During the healing process, you should moisturize your tattoo three to six times a day," Ladna says. "Keeping your tattoo hydrated during the initial days is especially critical. If your tattoo becomes too dry, the healing may actually take longer, and you may risk losing color saturation."
Knowing how long and when you should cover your tattoo plays a large role in effective aftercare. So, how long should I have my tattoo wrapped? Keep your tattoo wrapped for 2-4 hours after leaving the tattoo shop. If using protective tattoo film instead of plastic foil, keep the wrap on for 3-4 days.
Petroleum-based ointments
A&D ointment (yes, the kind used for diaper rash) is a cheap and popular choice for new tattoo aftercare. This ointment is also called Bepanthen. Aquaphor Advanced Healing Ointment is another hydrating and anti-inflammatory option. Good old petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) also works well.