How to Care for a New Tattoo
When you are finally done getting a permanent tattoo the worst part is over but now it is time for your part of the work. These instructions will give you the right care for your new tattoo and in the long run it will protect the colors and shapes. You need to take care of it as if it were an open wound, because it is. What you will need: A washcloth, antibiotic soap, plain skin lotion, sunscreen, and antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin. Here are the steps on how to care for a new tattoo.
1. Make sure to keep the bandage on the tattoo for at least three hours after completion. If your tattoo artist tells you longer then do so.
2. After the time period take the bandage off slowly and carefully and dispose of it.
3. Don’t put another band aid on because you want the tattoo to get fresh air to start the healing process.
4. Use some antibiotic soap to wash the tattoo with your hand.
5. Pat the tattoo dry with a washcloth and make sure not to rub it at all. Also, do not use anything else but a washcloth.
6. Put on a little bit of petroleum-based ointment that you can buy over the counter directly on the tattoo area that was just washed. The ointment can also be water based but you want to avoid any ointment that has zinc in it.
7. Keep applying the ointment to the tattoo for the next couple of days.
8. After you feel the wounded skin has healed you want to switch to plain skin lotion that has no dye, Vitamin E, aloe, alcohol, perfume or lanolin.
9. Continue to apply the lotion like you did with the ointment, directly to the tattooed skin.
10. REMEMBER YOU WANT TO KEEP THE SKIN EXPOSED TO THE AIR AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
11. WHAT TO AVOID: Extended exposure to the sun. Don’t get a lot of water on the tattooed area This means no swimming or baths for a few weeks. Stick with showers. That’s it! Enjoy! Now comes the fun part of showing off your new tattoo.
As long as you follow the steps on how to care for a new tattoo, you should have no health problems to deal with. Your tattoo will last a lifetime and the maintenance on it is over with. In the future you may want someone to enhance the colors but for now sit back, relax, take in the complements, and SHOW IT OFF!

