How to care for a tattoo?

Question

I just got my first tattoo last night on the back of my shoulder.I don't really know how to care for it. the directions the artist gave me were kind of vague. i know i should wash it a couple time a day and put lotion on it. I don't know much past that. Is it to soon for me to take a shower? will standing under the water or my shampoo and conditioner irritate the tattoo area? do i need to cover it when i take a shower?

Answer 1

use A & D ointment, or baby rash medicine. It is more of an irritation than anything. bandage with cellophane when in the shower but let air hit it the rest of the time. Keep it clean and don't worry about scabbing. It will do that.

Answer 2

my mum has one n her shoulder she said she never covered it and shampoo and conditioner never irriated it and she never had any problems with it so good luck and make sure to wash it and put lotion(sentless) on it reg.

Answer 3

the only thing you should be using is lotion. 2 to 3 times daily. you are not healing a cut.  its a controled abrasion and you WANT it to breathe.! neo-sporin, a and d, all the other so called" tattoo oils and balms" etc, and all the other petroleum based ointments will seal the skin and lighten the ink or cause you to have reactions to the oil.  wash it at least 2 times a day for  the first week and use only a high grade lotion rubbed in good like you would your hands. you're keeping it moisturized.. you dont need to go nuts with the other c**p.. i've been doing this a long time .. i know what im talking about.  HOLY c**p!! HEMMEROID CREAM IS FOR YOUR ***-- NOT FOR A TATTOO !   EVER !!

Answer 4

You can shower and everything like normal.  Be careful when drying and pat - don't rub - until after it has peeled.  The water from a shower won't hurt it.  Soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc, all are fine.  Again, when cleaning - don't rub until after it has peeled.  Once it peels, you can treat it like any other patch of skin.  What a tattoo is, really, is a nice scar.  Your body has been damaged and needs to heal.  Once it heals, you'll have your nice tat forever.

As for taking care of it during the day while it heals, make sure you have someone put lotion (scent-free lotion) on it at least two times a day but upwards of 8 wouldn't hurt it.  Make sure the lotion is rubbed in gently so it will stay moisturized.  Any scent-free hand lotion will work.

DO NOT LISTEN TO THOSE WHO TELL YOU TO PUT A&D OINTMENT, OR NEOSPORIN OR ANY OTHER ANTI-BACTERIAL STUFF ON IT.  Anything petroleum based will seal the tat and not let it heal properly and it also will attract dirt and bacteria which can cause infections in the wound.

Moisturize it, shower daily, and take care of it and you'll have a fabulous gift for a lifetime.