Your new tattoo will be covered with plastic wrap or Saniderm when you leave here.
Leave this covering on overnight to prevent any bacteria from entering and to allow any blood to clot.
Your new tattoo needs to be cleaned - NOT soaked.
With clean hands, remove the bandage and wash gently with warm water and a mild anti-bacterial soap.
Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your tattoo; your tattoo needs to stay moist in order to heal — those products will dry it out.
Make sure you remove all traces of blood.
Do not use a washcloth, loofa, sponge, or anything besides your bare hand to wash your tattoo; these will be too abrasive to a fresh tattoo.
Do not swim, soak in a hot tub or take a bath for two weeks after getting your tattoo; chemicals like chlorine and the bacteria found in most lakes will cause the tattoo to fade and/or an infection.
Soaking the tattoo will also cause the scab to come off faster, and along with it, some of the ink.
Pat the tattoo dry with a soft clean cloth like a paper towel; do not rub it dry.
Your new tattoo needs to be protected & moisturized.
Cover your tattoo with a very small amount of an anti-bacterial ointment, such as Neosporin or Bacitraycin. Redemption or other tattoo-specific ointments are also good to use.
Do not use Vaseline or petroleum jelly — it will fade the color of your tattoo.
Apply ointment as often as your tattoo dries out for the first 3 -5 days; keeping it moisturized will ensure the least amount of scabbing and peeling, thereby reducing the fading of the color.
Make sure your hands are clean each time you rub lotion on it; the introduction of bacteria or dirt will cause the tattoo to become infected.
After 3 or 4 days of using ointment, switch to a moisturizing lotion. Use a fragrance-free lotion to prevent irritation. Lubriderm and Eucerin are two good options.
Your new tattoo may appear to"bleed" ink during the first few days of healing.
Don't panic. This is normal. Wear clothes that you wouldn't mind getting a bit of ink on.
The ink will wash out of most clothing, but it might require bleach. Depending on the area of your body you have tattooed, you might want to put a towel down or wear some pajamas at night to avoid getting ink on your sheets.
Your new tattoo should NOT get too much sun.
Do not tan for at least two weeks after tattooing to allow it to heal. After two weeks has passed, you can lie in the sun or go to the tanner as long as you put a light layer of SPF 50 or higher sun block over the tattoo.
Sunlight will fade the ink, especially in bright colors or black.
If you expose it to too much sun, you might end up having to get it redone in a few years to brighten up the color.
Your new tattoo is going to itch.
Like any other wound to the skin, your tattoo will itch during the healing process.
DO NOT SCRATCH IT.
Scratching or picking will remove the scab and possibly some of the color from the tattoo.
Slap skin or rub lotion into tattoo to relieve itching.
Following these simple steps will ensure that you end up with the best result with minimal complications.