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What Are Aftereffects of a Tattoo?

The popularity of tattoos continues to grow. No longer are tattoos the sole property of military personnel; rather, tattoo arts reside firmly in the world of mainstream American society. "The cultural status of tattooing has steadily evolved from that of an antisocial activity in the 1960s to that of a trendy fashion statement in the 1990s," writes Hoag Levins in a 1997 report titled "The Changing Cultural Status of the Tattoo Arts in America." More important than ever, then, is knowing how to care for your tattoo after you get it done.

  1. Remove Bandage After Two Hours

    • The tattoo artist will place a plastic or gauze bandage over the new tattoo to protect both the tattoo and your clothes. Plastic bandages are used more often because they are easier to remove and are more widely available. Remove the bandage so that air can get to the tattoo area. If you have a cloth bandage on your tattoo, be sure to remove it carefully in case it sticks to areas of the tattoo.

    Wash Your Tattoo with Warm Water and Mild Soap

    • This is one of the most difficult steps in tattoo aftercare, but it is one of the most important. Be sure to wash the area with cool or lukewarm water. Use a very mild soap, and do not scrub. Just gently pat the tattoo to clean it of dried blood. Pat dry with a clean towel or a paper towel. You should not need to replace the bandage, but if there is any leakage from the tattoo, you can place a new plastic bandage on the tattoo to protect your clothes or bedsheets.

    Apply Cream

    • Apply a mild healing ointment to the tattoo three or four times a day for about a week. The best ointments to use include gentle vitamin-based ointment, antibiotic ointments, cortisone creams, an aloe-based ointment or even a hemorrhoid treatment such as Preparation H. Do not use an ointment that contains lanolin or petroleum jelly -- both may cause the ink to smudge.

    Don't Pick

    • Many people find this a difficult task, but keeping your fingers off your tattoo is crucial. Small scabs and dried skin plaques will form, but you mustn't pick at them, peel them or scratch them off. This will prolong the healing of the tattoo considerably, and your fingers could introduce bacteria that would cause an infection.

    Stay Out of the Sun

    • The sun will fade your tattoo. If you must go into the sun, be sure to wear a sunblock with SPF of 30 or higher. Apply it carefully over the tattoo and the rest of your body. You don't need a thicker application on the tattoo than anywhere else.

    Signs of Infection

    • Preventing infection is your ultimate goal. Watch for the signs that mean that infection could be settling in: redness or swelling near the tattoo after the first two days; red streaks coming from the tattoo; pus draining from the tattoo; a bad smell coming from the tattoo; and fever or chills.

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