Your tattoo artist will go over Aftercare with you and send you home with a clear covering. This clear covering acts as a second skin to protect your new tattoo from bacteria.
DAY 1-5 Your clear covering may or may not have a little blood and ink / lymph fluid collect beneath the surface. This is normal. You will want to remove the film 24 hours or 3-4 days after and gently wash your tattoo with non scented antibacterial soap. You can do this in the shower. Keep tattoo dry and clean. Apply a THIN amount of moisturizer provided to you by your artist. Your tattoo is healing and applying to much moisturizer will only slow down the healing process.
TIP: When you dry off your tattoo out of the shower or after washing at the sink, gently dab with a CLEAN towel that is ONLY for your tattoo. Your regular bath and hand towels can hold a ton of bacteria that may give you an infection.
Your tattoo should be completely healed after 3 days. Until then it will go through a lot of different healing phases. Do NOT pick or itch! Wear LOOSE clothing.
Aftercare
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW TATTOO!
KEEP IT LOOKING GOOD!
**How to Identify a Tattoo Infection:**
A) Redness and Swelling: - Normal: Slight redness and swelling immediately after the tattoo is done. - Concerning: Redness or swelling that expands beyond the tattoo site, lasts more than a few days, or gets progressively worse.
B) Pain: - Normal: Mild pain or discomfort for a few days. - Concerning: Severe, throbbing pain or pain that worsens over time instead of getting better.
C) Heat: - Normal: Slight warmth at the tattoo site. - Concerning: Increasing warmth or a hot feeling that does not decrease after the first few days.
D) Discharge: - Normal: Clear or slightly yellowish fluid that dries to form small crusts. - Concerning: Pus-like discharge, especially if it is green, yellow, or gray, indicating a possible bacterial infection.
E) Fever: - Any signs of fever or feeling unwell could indicate a more serious infection requiring immediate medical attention.
F) Bad Odor: - Any unpleasant odor emanating from the tattoo site. **What to Do:** - Keep the tattoo clean and dry. - Follow your tattoo artist's aftercare instructions. - Contact a healthcare provider if you notice any signs of infection.
Dirt, UV rays, unclean hands/towels are the worst enemies for your new tattoo. While your tattoo is healing in the first 3 weeks keep all pets out of your bed, do NOT submerge your tattoo in water (baths, swimming, etc.), and keep them completely covered from the sun!
For best results once your new tattoo is healed, continue to keep your ink out of the sun as much as possible. Especially for the first year! That being said, UV in tanning beds and sunlight will destroy both new and old tattoos. If you cannot cover your ink with clothing then use a high SPF sunscreen to protect it. It makes a HUGE difference!