Inked Talk

The ink is fresh, the skin is smarting, and the bandage is still on. It is time to think about tattoo aftercare to make sure that your tattoo heals well and looks good for years to come.

Listen to your Artist

Your tattoo artist has a lot of experience in tattoo aftercare, and he has a vested interest in making sure that your tattoo looks great for a long time. Unless you have been getting tattoos for years and have an established aftercare regimen, you should put your artist’s aftercare advice above all else. He won’t steer you wrong. Before you leave the tattoo chair, ask your artist about aftercare. Ask what products he recommends, and what he uses himself. Don’t leave the chair with a question unanswered.

The First Few Hours
Bacteria is not your friend. A tattoo is an open wound, and for the first few hours bacteria can wreak havoc on your new tattoo unless you care for it properly. You should leave your bandage on for at least two hours - more, if your artist recommends it. When it is time to remove the bandage, do so with clean hands.

After removing the bandage, you will want to wash it with warm water and a gentle antibacterial soap. Do not use a washcloth - they are breeding grounds for bacteria, and they are too abrasive for a new tattoo. Pat the tattoo dry with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Beyond the First Few Hours

After drying your tattoo, and then regularly over the next few days to weeks, apply an ointment such as A&D Cream (look in the baby supplies section of the drugstore - A&D is used as a diaper rash treatment!) to your tattoo. This will keep the moisturized and the vitamins in the cream will help the healing.

Tattoo Goo and other specialty products are also good, but they are pricier and a harder to find than A&D Cream. Moisturizing is very important, so while it may be tempting to clean your tattoo with peroxide or another alcohol, they will dry your skin. You will want to wash your tattoo every day and reapply A&D Cream again and again for the first week or so. After a week or so you can switch to a regular moisturizer.

Stay away from hot tubs and swimming pools for a few weeks after getting your tattoo. The bacteria and chemicals in pools and hot tubs can be devastating to your tattoo.

A well-cared for tattoo will look bright and beautiful for years, and good aftercare practice will prevent the complications that can make a tattoo a bad experience. Enjoy your ink!

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