aftercare
Everyone is different, this is just what I think works
( Main take-away: keep it clean and protect your scabs. )
1. BANDAGE REMOVAL
For the black meat pack bandage, leave it on overnight, and take it off within 24 hrs.
For the clear second skin, you can leave it on for up to a week unless it causes a rash or leaks. Read up on BANDAGE TYPES for more info.
After you remove your bandage, just keep it covered with some loose clothing if it needs protection.
2. WASHING
Wash your tattoo twice a day until it's healed.
If it gets dirty during the day, wash it again.
Use non-scented, non-dyed soap. The other stuff won't RUIN your tattoo, but it won't help to have all that shit in there either. Up to you, depending on how much you care...
Protect it rather than washing it repeatedly.
3. MOISTURIZING
Don't go crazy. A little goes a long way 2-3 times a day MAX.
The point of moisturizing is to keep the scabs just soft enough that they don't start cracking from dryness.
If your tattoo feels dry, tight or itchy put some on. If it's not bugging you and you've forgotten for a couple days, that's okay too.
Like the soap: non-scented, non-dyed.
4. GETTING IT WET
It's okay to get your tattoo wet. Just don't soak or submerge it. For two reasons:
1. If you're taking a bath or going swimming, there's gonna be all kinds of body juices in there. None of which should be touching your tattoo.
2. The more water your scabs soak up, the softer they'll get. The softer they are, the easier they'll rub off on a towel or a shirt, etc. PROTECT YOUR SCABS.
5. IT'S ITCHY!!
Yes, your tattoo is gonna get itchy.
It might be itchy if it need some moisturizer, or if it's just busy healing. Moisturize if you need to, otherwise try to ignore it or give it a slap.
NEVER PICK OR SCRATCH ! ! ! ! ! !
6. SUNSHINE
You have to keep your tattoo out of the sun.
The sun damages your skin way more while it's healing. Don't fuck up your expensive tattoo by leaving it in the sun
And no... don't put sunscreen on your tattoo either. It's just more chemical shit that will irritate your healing tissue.