How do I take care of my tattoo the first week?

Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water and be sure to pat dry. Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don't put on another bandage. Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and water and gently pat dry before reapplying the antibacterial/Vaseline ointment.
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How a tattoo should look after a week?

You might still see some dead skin, but it should eventually clear up too. The tattooed area might still look dry and dull. Keep moisturizing until the skin looks hydrated again. By the second or third week, the outer layers of skin should've healed.
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How long should I wait to wash my tattoo for the first time?

The first wash

After usually no less than 5 hours, it is safe to remove the bandage and wash the tattoo. After thorough hand-washing, a person can gently wash the tattoo with hypoallergenic soap and warm water using their fingers.
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How long should you aftercare tattoo?

Your tattoo should be completely healed within 2-4 weeks.

They will fall off on their own, so DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR TATTOO. Doing so can cause some of the pigment to disappear, and your tattoo may not heal properly. Keep it moisturized and the scabs will eventually dissipate.
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Can I touch a tattoo after a week?

Week 1 – The Healing Signs

If you're doing the aftercare routine properly, during the first week you may notice some healing signs; itching, flaking, and scabs. This is a completely natural occurrence, however, you must refrain from touching and picking on the tattoo.
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How To Treat A New Tattoo: Healing Process/Aftercare DAY 0 ( FRESH )



How can I speed up my tattoo healing?

There are some things you can do to speed up the healing process.
  1. Cover tattoo with clothing. Sunlight can cause your tattoo to fade, and fresh tattoos are especially sensitive to the sun. ...
  2. Don't re-bandage after you take off the initial dressing. ...
  3. Clean daily. ...
  4. Apply ointment. ...
  5. Don't scratch or pick. ...
  6. Avoid scented products.
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How often should I wash my tattoo?

Among all the questions we get about the washing process of a new tattoo, there's one that stands out from the rest: How often should you wash your new tattoo? Generally, it is recommended that you wash your tattoo around 2-3 times a day until it is completely healed, which can take several months.
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What kind of lotion is good for tattoos?

  • Best Overall: Aquaphor Healing Ointment at Ulta.
  • Best Drugstore: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion at Amazon.
  • Best Splurge: Billy Jealousy Tattoo Lotion at Billyjealousy.com.
  • Best Vegan: Hustle Butter Tattoo Care & Maintenance Cream at Ulta.
  • Best Gentle: ...
  • Best Soothing: ...
  • Best Water-Based: ...
  • Best Color-Enhancing:
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Can you put lotion on a new tattoo?

During your aftercare routine, instead of adding ointment, apply a thin layer of lotion at least twice a day. However, you might need to apply lotion as much as up to four times a day to keep your healing tattoo hydrated. Be sure to use unscented lotion.
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What ointment is good for tattoos?

Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment

Aquaphor's Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment is easily one of the most widely used treatments for tattoo aftercare, as myriad artists swear by it.
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How do I know if my tattoo is healing properly?

Other signs of a properly healing tattoo
  1. pink or red skin at the site and surrounding area (not a widespread rash)
  2. slight inflammation that doesn't extend outside the tattoo.
  3. mild itchiness.
  4. peeling skin.
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What soap is good for tattoos?

The 8 Best Tattoo Soaps to Make Sure Your Ink Looks Fresh in 2022
  • Dial Gold Antibacterial Bar Soap. ...
  • Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Tattoo Soap. ...
  • WOO Gentle Cleansing Tattoo Soap. ...
  • H2Ocean Blue Green Foam Soap. ...
  • Dr. ...
  • Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash. ...
  • Neutrogena Original Fragrance-Free Facial Cleansing Bar. ...
  • Billy Jealousy Tattoo Wash.
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Can I put Vaseline on my tattoo?

Once your bandages are off, you'll want to stay away from Vaseline during the healing process, too. You may be able to use Vaseline on a newer tattoo only after it's completely healed. The only use for petroleum jelly on your tattoo is for extremely dry skin around the area.
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How long should I moisturize my tattoo?

Don't go out with your tattoo exposed to the sun. Always wear tattoo-friendly sunscreen, and make sure you cover your tattoo. Do not scratch or peel off the skin after it has healed. It is generally recommended to moisturize for 2 weeks to one month after the tattoo has healed.
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Can I shower with a new tattoo?

The bottom line. Showering with a new tattoo isn't only fine; it's necessary for the sake of good hygiene. As long as you follow the aftercare instructions your tattoo artist gives you, and you're careful not to rub or soak your tattoo, showering shouldn't interfere with the healing process of your new ink.
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Can I touch my tattoo after 2 weeks?

Any reputable tattoo artist will advise you to wait until your tattoo has completely healed before getting a touch up. However, we would advise that touch ups for an imperfect tattoo are completed within 12 months of the initial tattoo.
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How do you sleep with a new tattoo?

A lot of tattoo artists recommend sleeping with the wrap that was put on. Others recommend re-wrapping, or just applying healing ointment and keeping the tattoo clean. The important thing is avoiding infection.
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Will my tattoo dry out overnight?

In the early days of the tattoo healing process, we can't stress enough how important it is to clean your tattoo frequently, but also moisturize it with nutrients that your skin needs to heal faster. After you take your wraps off, there's a chance that your bed and mattress could make your tattoo dry.
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Should I let my tattoo dry out and peel?

The takeaway: Peeling is normal (to an extent) but that doesn't mean you should peel it yourself. Let your skin do its thing for the two-ish weeks and keep the tattoo clean and dry while it heals for the best results.
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How do I keep my tattoo vibrant?

5 Ways to Make Your Tattoos More Vibrant
  1. Exfoliate Your Tattoo. An exfoliator will remove the outermost layer of skin, which is all dead cells anyway. ...
  2. Use Moisturizer on Your Ink. ...
  3. Keep Your Skin Clean. ...
  4. Always Use Sunscreen. ...
  5. Touch-Ups and Cover-Ups.
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How do you know if you over moisturize a tattoo?

Due to excess moisture, the tattoo won't be able to dry and heal. Excess moisture can create a perfect environment for bacteria and germ growth. Over moisturizing can lead to tattoo inflammation and infection. Excess moisture can cause clogged pores since the moisturizer prevents the skin from breathing.
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What can I put on my new tattoo at night?

Your first night sleeping, your artist might recommend you re-wrap the tattoo with plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap) to sleep without the tattoo sticking to your sheets. This is generally for larger or solid-color tattoos. If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight.
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How often should you cream a new tattoo?

You should moisturize your clean tattoo 3 – 6 times per day, for roughly two weeks (though proper skincare is always important, and most tattoo enthusiasts moisturize their tattoos daily for life!). A white cream lotion or moisturizer, preferably unscented, should be used!
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Where do tattoos heal the quickest?

Some areas will heal faster than others depending on how much you use the body part. Joints and places that flex or bend on a regular basis can take longer to heal. This includes hands and feet, which can take up to a full month to heal because of the difference in the texture of the skin in these spots.
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Does drinking water help heal a tattoo?

Stay hydrated! Be sure to drink water during the 48 hours before your tattoo. Staying properly hydrated helps the healing progress and greatly increase your comfort level DURING the the tattoo process.
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