Properly caring for your new tattoo after your appointment is essential for the healing process and to have the best-looking healed tattoo. It’s pretty simple to take care of a fresh tattoo. There are three basic rules: don’t touch it, keep it clean and keep your tattoo dry. After your tattoo appointment with Wesley Pretty, please follow the below steps to ensure your new tattoo heals properly.
How to Care for Your New Tattoo:
- Three hours after your tattoo appointment, remove your bandage.
2. Then wash your tattoo with warm water and mild soap.
3. Rinse your new tattoo with cold water and pat it dry with a clean towel or let it air dry. Be very gentle with your new tattoo. Do not rub your tattoo with the towel, just pat it carefully until it is dry. It’s critical that if you decide to pat dry your tattoo with a towel, that towel is freshly cleaned. Drying an open wound with a dirty towel won’t do any good for the healing of your fresh tattoo.
4. After removing your bandage and washing your tattoo, let the tattoo “breathe” in the open air. Be sure to wear only clean clothes and do not rest your fresh tattoo against any surfaces for the next three hours. It’s important to concentrate on keeping your new tattoo very clean while it knits up and your body creates a protective barrier against infection. DO NOT TOUCH IT.
5. The first night following being tattooed, be sure to have clean sheets on your bed. Your bed sheets, just like your clothing, should be clean to protect your new tattoo.
6. For the next 2-3 days after getting your new tattoo, make sure to wear loose clothing over your tattoo to not irritate it. Make sure to avoid getting your tattoo dirty or coming into contact with dirty surfaces during this time as your tattoo is especially vulnerable to infection.
7. After two days have passed, use a moderate amount of unscented lotion to moisturize your tattoo as needed (preferably once a day). Apply the lotion very gently and only after having washed your hands. Your tattoo should not be wet or greasy after applying the lotion, you should only use enough that your tattoo does not remain dry.
8. Once five to seven days have passed, your tattoo may get very itchy. THIS IS NORMAL. Do not apply lotion to reduce itching. Itching is a normal part of the healing process. So tough it out and only use lotion if your tattoo is dry. Avoid rubbing or scratching your tattoo, and if scabs form, DO NOT pick them. The less you touch your tattoo while it is healing the better it will look. Let your scabs fall off on their own. DO NOT TOUCH THEM.
9. After about two weeks, your tattoo should be fully healed.
If you have any questions about the tattoo aftercare process or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Tattoo Aftercare Do’s and Don’ts
Do
- Do shower as you usually would but be gentle while washing your tattoo.
- Do keep your tattoo out of the sun.
- Do apply a moderate amount of lotion to your tattoo when needed after 3 days have passed (preferably once a day).
- Do use unscented lotions such as Jergen’s unscented, O’Keeefes’s body lotion, or Lubriderm unscented. You may also use lotion provided by your artist or specialty tattoo healing creams.
- Do keep your tattoo clean.
- Do keep your tattoo dry.
- Do wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
- Do use unscented mild soap, warm water, and a clean towel to clean your tattoo.
- Do wear loose, clean clothes and sleep on clean sheets for the first few days after getting your tattoo.
Do NOT
- Do not soak your tattoo in the bath until it is fully healed.
- Do not enter a hot tub, swimming pool, lake, river, pond, or puddle until your tattoo is fully healed.
- Do not apply sunscreen to your tattoo until it is fully healed.
- Do not touch your fresh tattoo with dirty hands.
- Do not apply lotion to your tattoo to reduce itching.
- Do not scratch, itch, or pick your tattoo or any scabs that form.
- Do not let your tattoo come in contact with dirty surfaces or materials
- Do not remove your bandage too early after your appointment
- Do not unnecessarily irritate your tattoo by scrubbing or exfoliating it in the shower.
- Do not rebandage your tattoo.
Tattoos by Wesley Pretty 