Important Instructions for Tattoo Aftercare

You just got your first tattoo and you want to show it off. However, donning your bathing suit and heading for the beach may be the worst thing you can do for your tattoo. Sunlight, water and sand will cause the tattoo to fade. There is also a risk of infection in the two weeks it takes for the tattoo to heal. It's best to take good care of your new tattoo until it is properly healed.

Things You'll Need

• Bandage
• Antibacterial soap
• Antiseptic ointment
• Fragrance free lotion

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Instructions

• 1

  Cover newly tattooed skin with a bandage. Remove the bandage after an hour and wash the area gently with an antibacterial soap. Rinse the area thoroughly.

• 2

  Apply a thin layer of antiseptic ointment to the tattooed area. Make sure that the ointment is fragrance free. Fragrances will irritate the tattooed skin. Flaking of skin will occur when the tattoo begins to heal. Switch from ointment to lotion as the tattoo heals, making sure it is fragrance free.

• 3

  Refrain from swimming, hot tubs or spending a long time in the bath. Extended exposure to water is not good for new tattoos. This includes sweating, so avoid getting tattoos in hot summer months or engaging in sweat inducing activities.

• 4

  Avoid exposing your tattoo to direct sunlight. Sunlight will cause the tattoo to fade over time. Applying sunblock is also not advised until the tattoo has healed as sunblock contains fragrances and ingredients which will irritate the fragile skin.