For many people, getting your first tattoo can be a coming of age sort of thing. It can be something that you look forward to and plan for a long time before actually having it permanently embedded on your skin. A lot of consideration often goes into getting a tattoo including the location, style, and even when to get it so that it can be ready before a particular event. With all of the effort that goes into planning your design, not many people consider how important it can be to your tattoo to make sure it is taken care of while it heals.
Taking Care of Your New Ink
Tattoos are put into the skin with needles. This is the process of stabbing the skin over and over again several times to get the desired results. It might hurt, but even if it doesn’t, your epidermis has been punctured and is now full of holes that can easily get infected if not taken care of properly. It may seem like a small thing, but even the act of going swimming in a public pool can introduce bacteria into the wounds. This can not only compromise the quality of your tattoo, but can also potentially get you very sick if you aren’t careful.
Your new tattoo should be covered with a layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage immediately after receiving it. This helps to keep it protected for the first 24 hours. After this time, you should wash the tattoo with an antibacterial soap and then pat it dry. It is a good idea to apply antibacterial medicine to the tattoo twice a day to make sure it has the best care for healing. Keep your tattoo clean, but don’t pick at it no matter how tempting it might be. It should scab up, which is perfectly normal and even expected. If you pick at the scabs, there is a chance you might remove the ink which could ultimately ruin the tattoo.
For about four weeks, you will need to follow the antibacterial wash and ointment routine to ensure the skin around your tattoo stays as healthy as possible. If for any reason you suspect that your tattoo has become infected, be sure to call the doctor right away. Now that you know how easy it can be to take care of your tattoo, if you are interested in getting one, check out our gallery for inspiration for your new ink!