I know, I know, everyone has their own ideas of how to care for a tattoo. Seeing as there are as many ideas as tattoos out there I thought I'd share my tattoo care procedures with you. First of all once you leave the shop hopefully your artist took the time to thoroughly clean and cover your fresh tattoo prior to leaving the shop. Some artists use non-stick gauze and wrap the tattoo with a light covering of petroleum jelly or A&D ointment (best case scenario), some on the other hand will use only plastic wrap (like you are a piece of fruit?) and send you out the door. Either way if you are wrapped in plastic or non-stick gauze take an ice pack and lay it on the tattoo for 15 to 30 minutes, this will help reduce the swelling and tighten up the pours which will in turn keep more ink in your skin. Once you have completed this task, take a shower, being careful when unwrapping your tattoo. Take a luke warm shower, not hot because you don't want to open the pours too much and lose ink. Use a soap that is not harsh (Lever 2000) works well. Wash the tattoo and use light pressure. When you get out of the shower lightly pat dry the tattoo. Be careful not to press too hard. Get some A & D ointment and lightly apply it to the tattoo, do not put it on too thick, a light coating is just fine. Get some non-stick gauze pads and cover the tattoo and then wrap it with a single layer of gauze wrap tape the end and if needed the top and bottom of the wrapping so that it doesn't come loose or fall off. By doing this you will keep the tattoo protected as well as it will be able to breathe. Most importantly you will not be wiping all the ointment off on your furniture or bedding. In the morning unwrap your tattoo and you'll see the slightest hind of ink on the non-stick gauze (this is cool, don't trip, you'll always have a little bleed off). Make sure your hands are clean and wipe the tattoo down with either another thin coating of A & D or Lubriderm (non scented) lotion. Your tattoo will set and keep it's color for a long time if you pratice these steps. I personally will use this procedure for the first 3 nights and then just use Lubriderm lotion for the next 5 days and then it's all done. Days 1-3: I will wrap the tattoo with a single layer of gauze after putting a very light coating of A & D on the tattoo this is so that I do not get the ointment on my clothes and keep the tattoo moisturized as well as allowing it to breathe. Days 4-7: I just use a light coating of Lubriderm and go on about my business, no wrapping required at this point. If you over lube your tattoo you'll get the scabs falling off and being gross, if you under lube your tattoo it'll get all hard and crusty and you'll loose ink and probably have to go back in for a touch up because certain areas will have less ink because of your care or lack of care. I hope this helps you keep your tattoo looking its best.
