Q: How do I care for my New Tattoo?
A: Every Artist will tell you something differant. Wash and Treat
After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap. Gently wash away any ointment, blood and/or plasma and completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. (If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, you have probably been oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible - when the plasma dries on the skin surface, it creates scabs.) Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of your choice of
ointment. A&D vitamin enriched ointment would be my first choice, but if you don't have any, Bacitracin or a similar antibacterial ointment is acceptable.
**Do not use Neosporin. This is a wonderful product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos. Some can have an allergic reaction to the Neosporin, which
causes little red bumps. When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you end up with a polka-dotted tattoo.**
Q: Bathing, Showering, Hot Tubs, and Swimming?
A: Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo. It's OK to get your tattoo wet - just don't soak it. Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so you'll want to avoid those for 2-3 weeks, but showering is perfectly fine long as you don't saturate your tattoo. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, just remove it quickly with water. Swimming - whether it be a pool, fresh water or salt water - should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.
Q: Scabbing and Peeling?
A: After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. A little Scabbing is normal and there is no need to panic. Apply warm moist compresses to the scabs for about 5 minutes 2-3 times a day to soften them and they will eventually come off on their own. (Do not apply ointment or lotion to a softened scab - wait for it to dry) You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, Don't Pick, and Don't Scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!
Q: Does it hurt?
A: Pain is really relative. Everyone has a different tolerance to pain. I'm not going to kid you, though - it does hurt. Just not as much as you think.
Q: Are Tattoos Safe?
A: Yes, as long as you go to a reputable artist that is following all recommended safety precautions.
Q: Is it OK to lay out in the sun or go to the tanning bed when you have tattoos?
A: It might be really tempting to get some rays during the summer months, but before you ruin your tattoo, please make sure that it is well, a sun burn can ruin a new tattoo.
Q: The Pain Factor?
A: The question I get asked most is, "Where does it hurt the most?". Well, there are no hard and fast rules about this
subject, but based on many opinions over the years, here are some ideas:
Most Painful Areas: Men - Abdomen, Spine, Chest Women - Ankle, Spine, Ribcage
Least Painful Areas: Men - Buttocks, Arm, Back Women - Abdomen, Buttocks, Thigh, Shoulder
A: Every Artist will tell you something differant. Wash and Treat
After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap. Gently wash away any ointment, blood and/or plasma and completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. (If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, you have probably been oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible - when the plasma dries on the skin surface, it creates scabs.) Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of your choice of
ointment. A&D vitamin enriched ointment would be my first choice, but if you don't have any, Bacitracin or a similar antibacterial ointment is acceptable.
**Do not use Neosporin. This is a wonderful product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos. Some can have an allergic reaction to the Neosporin, which
causes little red bumps. When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you end up with a polka-dotted tattoo.**
Q: Bathing, Showering, Hot Tubs, and Swimming?
A: Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo. It's OK to get your tattoo wet - just don't soak it. Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so you'll want to avoid those for 2-3 weeks, but showering is perfectly fine long as you don't saturate your tattoo. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, just remove it quickly with water. Swimming - whether it be a pool, fresh water or salt water - should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.
Q: Scabbing and Peeling?
A: After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. A little Scabbing is normal and there is no need to panic. Apply warm moist compresses to the scabs for about 5 minutes 2-3 times a day to soften them and they will eventually come off on their own. (Do not apply ointment or lotion to a softened scab - wait for it to dry) You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, Don't Pick, and Don't Scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!
Q: Does it hurt?
A: Pain is really relative. Everyone has a different tolerance to pain. I'm not going to kid you, though - it does hurt. Just not as much as you think.
Q: Are Tattoos Safe?
A: Yes, as long as you go to a reputable artist that is following all recommended safety precautions.
Q: Is it OK to lay out in the sun or go to the tanning bed when you have tattoos?
A: It might be really tempting to get some rays during the summer months, but before you ruin your tattoo, please make sure that it is well, a sun burn can ruin a new tattoo.
Q: The Pain Factor?
A: The question I get asked most is, "Where does it hurt the most?". Well, there are no hard and fast rules about this
subject, but based on many opinions over the years, here are some ideas:
Most Painful Areas: Men - Abdomen, Spine, Chest Women - Ankle, Spine, Ribcage
Least Painful Areas: Men - Buttocks, Arm, Back Women - Abdomen, Buttocks, Thigh, Shoulder