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Now, you have your fresh new tattoo, and you want to take good care of
it! From this point on, your artist is not responsible for any
infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don't take
proper care of it. It is very important that you follow these
guidelines. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster if the
proper aftercare is not taken.
Leave That Bandage Alone! Your artist took the care to cover
up your new tattoo for a very good reason - to keep air-born bacteria
from invading your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is
still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and
infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of three hours.
It is even better if you can just keep the bandage on overnight.
Excitement of having a new tattoo will make you want to remove the
bandage so you can show your friends, but your friends will just have
to wait until tomorrow morning.
If you think you just absolutely cannot resist the temptation to show
off your new possession, ask your artist if they can cover it with
clear cellophane wrap, so the tattoo can be viewed without the
protective layer being removed.
Wash and Treat After you remove the bandage, you will want
to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and antibacterial soap to
gently wash away any ointment and to completely clean the area. Do not
use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in
this case. Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or
paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light
application of ointment.
Peeling After a few days, you will notice some
peeling. You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins
to heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If
the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. Your tattoo is almost healed, and
now is not the time to ruin it!
Protection from the sun After your tattoo is healed, from
now on, you will always want to protect it from the sun's ultraviolet
rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before
spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your tattoo with a
minimum 30SPF sun block. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many
years, and it will continue to be a source of great pride.
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