Your artist takes the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason - to keep air-born bacteria from invading your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection; therefore, it is very important that you follow these guidelines.
1. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of two hours. Excitement of having a new tattoo will make you want to remove the bandage so you can show your friends, but your friends will just have to wait until later. Remove the bandage after two hours.
2. Wash your tattoo gently with lukewarm water using antibacterial soap to completely clean the tattoo area. Your hand is your best tool for this. Then pat it dry with clean towel, do not rub.
3. Apply very thin layer of ointment
4. Repeat step 2 and 3 for 2-3 times a day.
5. Do not apply another bandage to the tattoo. Allow it to be exposed to air
Bathing, Showering, Hot Tubs, Swimming and stretching
yes, you can shower with a new tattoo. It's OK to get your tattoo wet - just don't soak it. It is also advised to apply Vaseline before taking bath. 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 as 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. Don't exercise or stretch until it heals. If swelling or redness occurs, use ice packs to help swelling go down.
Scabbing and Peeling
After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. A little scabbing is sometimes normal and there is no need to panic. 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 baby lotion (it should be dye and fragrance free) on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone, let them fall off gradually. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!
Protection from the sun
After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always want to protect it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast.. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years, and it will continue to be a source of great pride. Consult with a doctor, if you have even the slightest sign of infection. DO NOT listen to your friends just because they have had a tattoo or know this guy that had one and BLA BLA BLA. They may think they know it all and they may mean well, but they’ll end up doing you more harm than good have a query? ASK A PROFESSIONAL!
1. Do not touch your new piercing unless you are cleaning it.
2. Always wash hands before cleaning it.
3. Clean your new piercing 3 to 4 times a day.
4. It is best to use medical grade soap; if these are not available a dye free fragrance free antibacterial soap is an acceptable substitute.
5. Gently clean off all up crust.
6. With a good lather of soap, clean jewelry and surrounding area.
7. Rinse well with clean water.
8. After cleaning be sure to rinse all soap from the piercing.
9. Dry your piercing with a tissue, or let air dry - try to avoid using your towel as it may not be clean.
THINGS NOT TO DO
1. Do not move the jewelry until after you`ve thoroughly cleaned it and the exit holes of the piercing.
2. Do not use any ointments such a Neosporin.
3. Do not use alcohol or peroxide on your new piercing.
4. Keep all lotions (sun block, tanning lotion, etc.) away from your new piercing.
5. Keep all bodily fluids away from your new piercing.
6. Do not soak your new piercing in the tub, pools, or hot tubs.