Listen to your tattoo artist. If you already found reliable tattoo artists, then they will specifically teach you how to do aftercare after tattooed, and you have to listen to them. Different tattoo artists have other ways to do aftercare, and the contents are also different. So, you do not have to worry about it; most tattoo artists have over-years experience. Remember: they are the same as yourself, that they want the perfect works and quality. So, they won't give you some bad suggestions. Covering the tattoo with adhesive tape for 2-4 hours. After finishing your tattoo designs, tattoo artists usually help you clean your tattoos, apply antibacterial ointment, and finally use adhesive tape. After you left the tattoo shop, you have to remember that you cannot move off the tape because the tape can help you to prevent bacterial from the air. The tape must be covering over 2 hours. Most tattoo artists will suggest clients using "non-adhesive tape for abdominal trauma, which is breathable and also protects the tattoo from viral infections that can become red and swollen. Tattoo artists have a problem with plastic film wrapped tattoos. Some tattoo artists say that the plastic film is unwise action to wrapped tattoos; some tattoo artists say that the new tattoo design has to be protected by plastic film. The supporters said the plastic film is convenient to remove, it won't attach to the skin, and it can be built perfect protection. The against said that plastic film is a horrible thing because it will prevent contact between skin and oxygen, and the oxygen is the key thing to treat the wound. It doesn't matter which materials your tattoo artists use, and the matter is you have to follow their suggestions. Carefully removing the tapes. No matters how long the tape is applied, the tattoo wound will still be exposed when the tape is removed. Most tattoo artists will tell you that the tape should be covered over 2 hours on your skin, and the deadline shouldn't be over 6 hours. Except for plastic film, the cover time have to be less than 2 hours. The coverage time depends on the sizes, areas, and inks of tattoo design. Generally speaking, the best time depends on your tattoo artists' suggestions. However, you could follow your judgement and knowledge. When removing the tape, you can prevent it from sticking to the skin by dipping it into warm water first. The tape will come off more quickly when exposed to water and should be discarded promptly. Clean the tattoo gently. Most tattoo artists will recommend using slightly warm water and a mild, unscented antibacterial, antiseptic soap to clean the tattoo. Rub the tattoo gently with your hands to wash away bloodstains, tissue fluid and excess ink. Doing so will prevent the tattoo from scabbing over prematurely. Do not wipe the tattoo with a bath sponge, loofah or any other sponge product to avoid bacterial infection. Do not immerse the tattoo directly in water. Use your hands to gently pat the water onto the tattoo, rather than soaking it instantly into the water. The evaporation of large amounts of water can cause damage to a newly made tattoo. If your tattoo covers a large skin area, then the easiest way to clean it is to rinse it directly in the shower. Allow the tattoo to dry naturally. Once you have thoroughly cleaned your tattoo, you should gently pat the water dry with a clean paper towel. It should not be rubbed hard as this may cause inflammation. Once the excess water has dried, leave the tattoo exposed to the air for about 20 minutes to an hour. This will allow the tattoo to breathe and evaporate any excess water. You should use this method to allow the tattoo to dry naturally after each cleaning. Apply an ointment. Once the tattoo is thoroughly dry and you start to feel your skin begin to tighten, you can apply an appropriate amount of ointments, such as Bacillus subtilis antibiotic ointment or Vitamin A&D ointment, to the tattoo. Apply only a thin layer of ointment and massage gently until the skin is thoroughly absorbed. Remember not to apply too thickly. Otherwise, the tattoo will not be able to breathe and harbour bacteria. It would be best to keep applying the ointment for 3-5 days after the tattoo is finished, or until the tattooed skin has completely peeled off each time you clean the tattoo. You can then switch to a regular unscented lotion. Do not use lotion products that have petroleum-based ingredients, such as petroleum jelly. These products have a heavy texture and tend to clog pores and cause various skin problems. This type of product also brings the ink from the tattoo to the skin's surface, causing the tattoo not to last as long or even the colour to fall off entirely. Some professional products on the market are slightly more expensive but work wonders for tattoo recovery. One is called Tattoo Goo, an ointment made from natural materials, which is light and breathable. Another is called H2Ocean Tattoo Foam, which uses sea salt extract to prevent skin infections. After Inked is also a petroleum-free tattoo restoration product that focuses on antioxidants from grape seed essential oil and vitamin E to aid tattoo restoration. The use of a professional tattoo restoration product speeds up the healing process and moisturises the skin. Next, you will need to clean and moisturise the tattoo 3-5 times a day. You will need to wash your tattoo daily with antibacterial soap and warm water until it has healed completely. It will take about 3-6 weeks for the tattoo to heal, depending on the location and size of the tattoo. Wash your tattoo about 3 times a day, but more often if your tattoo is on your hands, wrists, feet or other areas that are prone to germs. After applying the special antibacterial cream for about 3-5 days, you can switch to a regular lotion as a post-wash moisturiser. Many tattoo artists will advise you to avoid lotions with added fragrances, colours or glitter. Remember that creams should not be applied too thickly either, as this can backfire. The initial care of a newly done tattoo will take about 2 weeks. During these 2 weeks, you may notice peeling of the skin on the tattooed area, similar to peeling after a sunburn. The colour of the ink on the tattoo may come off in small amounts as it peels, but this is normal. After peeling, your tattoo will look a little shiny and feel tight. At this point, there may still be some small white flakes of skin left on the tattoo. You may be tempted to tear it off with your hands, but you must resist. These tiny flakes are called "onion scales" and will fall off independently after three or two weeks. You can expect your new tattoo to heal entirely and grow new skin in 4-6 weeks with the right care.
