Tattoo Care

Tattoo Aftercare: Keeping body art looking beautiful

Tattoos are a work of art, but they have to be taken care of properly in order to stay free from infection and to last.  Before getting a tattoo, you will want to learn about tattoos, understand the inks that are used, and also the tattoo aftercare.

Tattoos are permanent designs on the skin.  A needle is used along with permanent pigmentation.  Depending on the tattoo design, this process could take a few hours.  It is imperative to have good tattoo care after getting a tattoo.

According to tattoo artists, the ink that is used in their tattoo designs is categorized as a cosmetic, and they are not under the regulations of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).  The dies that are used have not yet met the approval of the FDA for injection underneath the skin.

Tattoo artists have to be careful about keeping their equipment sterilized.  If equipment is not kept clean, it could pose health problems.  Unclean equipment could cause a blood borne disease to be passed on to someone else.  Diseases such as Hepatitis B and C, Tetanus, and HIV may be contracted.  Dirty equipment can also cause skin disorders or infections. You can contract bacterial infections, and may develop what is called a resistant skin infection, Pneumonia, or a serious condition called “Necrotizing Fasciitis, which eats or destroys the flesh.

Some people may develop an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink, especially the “red” ink.  In some instances, the ink could cause problems if any individual must have an MRI.  This is because of the magnets used in the machine.

You must use good tattoo aftercare because it takes a very long time for a tattoo to heal.  Even years after getting a tattoo, a person could develop complications.

The artist will give you tattoo care instructions to follow.  Some of the things that you will want to do is to make sure you keep the tattoo and surrounding area clean with by washing with warm soap and water, and keeping the tattoo moisturized.  You should avoid direct sunlight after getting a tattoo.

Immediately after getting a tattoo, a bandage is applied.  This is to protect the vulnerability of the tattoo and skin, because you are susceptible to infection.  You should leave the bandage on for a minimum of three hours.  The skin has been broken; therefore it needs to be protected from air borne bacteria.

It is good to soak the bandage before removing it.  This will keep the bandage from sticking or pulling the skin off.  You will need to keep the tattoo clean by using an anti-bacterial soap and water.  It is best to wash the area with your hand rather than using a washcloth and pat the area clean instead of rubbing.  The anti-bacterial will only need to be used on the very first washing.

The artist will supply you with an ointment to be used in the aid of healing the tattoo.  It is recommended that you use the ointment for at least a week.  Do not use any petroleum based jellies, anything with a scent, or anything that has coloring in it.  You will want to use the ointment constantly while the tattoo is healing.  You will know when the tattoo is healing by the appearance. If the tattoo or surrounding skin starts to peel or flake, do not pull on it or bother the area. Let the flake or peeling fall off by itself.

There are some other dos and don’ts.  You may take showers, but the tattoo should never be submerged or soaked in water. You should also avoid swimming in salt water. You should avoid using suntan lotions while the tattoo is healing.  Most of all, you should not scratch or irritate the tattoo or surrounding area.

You can use and A & D ointment or Bacitracin on the tattoo while it is healing. Do not use Neosporin because it is not good for tattoos.