Aftercare starts when you get home or when you're somewhere you can care for your tattoo. Key factors in the healing of your new piece of art are keeping it clean, moisturized and out of the sunlight. NEVER touch your new tattoo without first washing your hands and never allow someone else to touch your fresh tattoo (ew).

 

You'll need

■ Dial Gold antibacterial soap.

■ Hustle Butter Deluxe ointment (can be bought at Ulta or Amazon)

■ Paper Towels

■ Unscented, Moisturizing Lotion (example: Unscented Lubriderm lotion)

■ Blue Lizard SPF50 zinc oxide sunscreen

 

Start by washing your hands with warm soap and water.

 

Begin by removing the bandage on your new tattoo. Once removed, gently wash your tattoo with unscented antibacterial soap (Dial Gold is best) and warm water. 

 

After washing, pat dry with a fresh paper towel and apply a very small amount of A&D ointment or Aquaphor. Gently rub it in until it's not so shiny. Be sure to wear loose clothing around the tattoo (example: loose pants or shorts for a calf tattoo, tank top for upper arm...etc.).

 

Continue these steps three times a day for the next three days. Once in the morning, once at noon and once at night before sleep.

 

After three days, you can stop the three times a day wash and only use a small amount of Unscented lotion or Aquaphor throughout the day to keep your tattoo moisturized and the skin comfortable. You may wash your tattoo in the shower along with your normal routine at this point, however do not use your regular body wash/soap and continue to use the Dial Gold soap until after the tattoo has peeled.

 

Itching and peeling is perfectly normal and part of the natural healing process of your tattoo. Once your tattoo begins to peel use only an unscented lotion for the next two weeks. After those two weeks are up, you no longer have to baby your tattoo and you can fully enjoy your new art!

 

Always remember to use a zinc oxide based sunscreen on your healed tattoos to maintain it's color. I use Blue Lizard SPF50 zinc oxide sunscreen on my own tattoos. Sunlight will ALWAYS fade a tattoo, tans are awesome but can dull your tattoo. Also not properly following aftercare instructions can also cause your tattoo to fade quicker than usual. 

 

Hot Tubs, Pools, Baths, Beaches, Rivers, Lakes and Salt Water should all be avoided for two months in their entirety after receiving your new piece of art. This will allow your new tattoo to settle, undisturbed from sunlight. Early and/or prolonged exposure to sunlight or water can result in premature fading and color loss or an improper heal. Showering is perfectly fine and is beneficial to your new tattoo.