The Tattoo Care Thread

[Tokyohoon]

The Ten Commandments of Caring for Thy New Tattoo

1) Keep the bandage in place for four to six hours. If that would bring you close to bedtime, then leave it in place until morning.

2) Upon removing the bandage, wash the area with unscented soap and COLD water. Not hot. COLD.

3) Apply your first coating of lotion. The coating should be very thin - your arm should not look like it's just been used by Ron Jeremy for target practice.

4) Lotion should subsequently be applied 3-6 times per day for the next few days, 2-3 times per day thereafter. Medicated lotions containing cortisone shuld be used 3 times per day the first three days, twice a day thereafter.

5) Examples of good lotions are Dermalube, Vaseline Intensive care UNSCENTED, and the like. Examples of bad lotions are Preparation H, Poly/Neosporin, A&D lotion. Medicated lotions can be good if available - Terra Cortiril (Pfizer) is excellent. Otehr examples will be added as mentioned.

6) Ideally, you will end up with a flexible onion-paper thin layer of scabbing. It is perfectly OK for this to look somewhat dry as long as it is still flexible. Do not be tempted to keep it sopping bloody wet all the time - you will lose pigment if you do.

7) It is not unusual to have an area or two that have heavier scabbing. Despite the temptation, DO NOT PICK AT THE FUCKING THING. Keep applying lotion until it has healed, very often, it will heal without trouble.

8) In later stages of healing, the skin will peel in very thin layers. DO NOT PICK AT THE FUCKING THING. Do not pull these off, let them come off on their own.

9) You will be tempted to show off your new tattoo at all times. Remember the rule: NO direct exposure to sunlight for the first three months, and SPF30 or better sunblock on it if you're going out in the sunshine thereafter. You'll thank me when it's ten and fifteen years later and your colour is still vibrant.

10) Some asshole may try to tell you that human urine is a great treatment for a healing tattoo. It isn't.

* additions will be made as I remember or am reminded of shit to add...

[Doc]

My artist says to give it a very light wash every day too, e.g. when you're in the shower, do your best to keep it dry and out of the water but at the end give it a very quick rinse and wash.

[grouchybastid]

And what's the deal with plastic wrap? I see some shops use it, some shops use paper towels, some use 'chicken diapers' (those absorbent pads you see in packages of meat you buy at the supermarket). Does it much matter what a fresh tatt is covered with?

[Doc]

And what's the deal with plastic wrap? I see some shops use it, some shops use paper towels, some use 'chicken diapers' (those absorbent pads you see in packages of meat you buy at the supermarket). Does it much matter what a fresh tatt is covered with?

Well, it will certainly keep infection out but your skin can't breath under that shit

[grouchybastid]

Well, it will certainly keep infection out but your skin can't breath under that shit

That's my question basically. Seems like it wouldn't be such a great covering for a fresh tattoo, but it looks to be fairly common to use it.

[SkinnyBird]

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and Aloe Vera gel have always worked really well for me.

[tousunis]

I put vitamin E on it at least 4 times a day after I get one.

[Billy Klubb]

under no circumstances should one use steel wool to gently wash their new tattoo.

[Bruiser]

under no circumstances should one use steel wool to gently wash their new tattoo.

but if someone else uses it on you, you probably deserve it...

[BoobsNBoots]

I hear from a lot of people that they always use A&D on their tattoos and don't have problems. Why shouldn't you use it?

[IronCityBoot]

I hear from a lot of people that they always use A&D on their tattoos and don't have problems. Why shouldn't you use it?

Thats what Ive used and never had a problem but then again, what do I know?

[BoobsNBoots]

Thats what Ive used and never had a problem but then again, what do I know?
Nothing?

[IronCityBoot]

Nothing?

Cute, I know bad humor when I see it...

[socalsk1nhead]

And what's the deal with plastic wrap? I see some shops use it, some shops use paper towels, some use 'chicken diapers' (those absorbent pads you see in packages of meat you buy at the supermarket). Does it much matter what a fresh tatt is covered with?

Usually the shops I've been to will toss the plastic on at first when you leave, only to keep the blood from staining your clothes or such. I take it off in a few hours and run my arm under warm water.



Not sure if anyone else has used it, but Aquafor works pretty well. Good little ointment.

Oh and I've used A&D plenty of times and never did me wrong, especially since I've seen a lot of artists using it during the tattooing session.

[Knucks]

I hear from a lot of people that they always use A&D on their tattoos and don't have problems. Why shouldn't you use it?

A&D is bad. Basically what it's designed to do is pull infections out of the skin. It's also great at pulling color right out of a tattoo.

Edit:

Also, you don't want anything on your skin that debris and dirt will stick to. A&D attracts dust and hair and dirt like nobody's business.

[Knucks]

I use Mary Kay Night Emollient Creme. Its got the consistency of A&D when it first goes on, but absorbs right into the skin. Its why some of my tattoos that are about a decade old still look bright ane vibrant.

[socalsk1nhead]

I was kind of curious about this. My uncle was the director for the LA County Department of Health, and we were talking about tattoos the other day since he had to get some marks tattooed for medical reasons.

Anyone ever have a conversation with their artist about ink?

Apparently there has never been an FDA approval for tattooing ink, but not quite sure how that works.

Anyone know?

[MONK]

st. ives extra dry skin moisturizing lotion

analease

k-y

astroglide

spit

[Blood Red Eagle]

Bepenthen is good if you're in australia. it's designed to repair broken skin aswell. however make sure you get the ointment. they changed the formula a while back and it gives you ingrown pimples in the tattoo that get infected and are itchy as shit. the ointment on the other hand, is fantastical.

[bat_girl]

st. ives extra dry skin moisturizing lotion

analease

k-y

astroglide

spit

OK, but what about for tattoos?

[Tokyohoon]

I hear from a lot of people that they always use A&D on their tattoos and don't have problems. Why shouldn't you use it?

A&D can actually promote certain types of infection, that's why. It is NOT meant for use on open wounds, which is what a fresh tat is.


Apparently there has never been an FDA approval for tattooing ink, but not quite sure how that works.

Anyone know?

Tattoo ink isn't regulated because it's not applied for curative or restorative purposes, and no claims are made with regard to such benefits. It's not injected into the bloodstream, and it's not ingested. It has been known to be occasionally inserted into the rectum, but usually still encased in the bottle, when rubes don't pay their bills.

[BoobsNBoots]

A&D can actually promote certain types of infection, that's why. It is NOT meant for use on open wounds, which is what a fresh tat is.
That's what I though but my brother and his girlfriend were so persistent in telling me that you SHOULD use it. I told them many tattoo artists told me it wasn't good to use, but they are idiots. Just because they didn't get infections on the minimal tattoos they have, they think they never will..and they might not. But I just wanted to make sure so I don't make the same mistake when I finally get some work done.

ALSO..I hear it's not good to use sharpies on the skin for drawing something out freehand and then tattooing over it. All the bad stuf in the ink, I hear it can have bad effects..True or False?

[Billy Klubb]

A&D can actually promote certain types of infection, that's why. It is NOT meant for use on open wounds, which is what a fresh tat is.I've been using Tattoo Goo or this stuff called Celi'. it looks like a mini deodorant stick, but works nice. still vibrant and no complications of any sort.

[HEADKICK HERO]

i usually recomend bacitracin, neosporin, or a&d. for the first three to four days, then unscent lotion. i know people that bitch about all three of those products, i havnt had any problems, i find if there is a negative reaction its usualy from the neosporin, but really its all the same shit. you start having problems when people cake it on there, its supposed to be a THIN LAYER, not like you just jerked off with it, washed frequently, like two or three times a day, and reapplied. then after the first three days a nonscented hand lotion is good, i like eucerin, but whatever you normally use is probably fine. no soaking (baths pool hottub ect.) for two weeks but showers are fine, no picking or scratching, no direct sun exposure, no listening to your idiot frinds telling you to put vagisil and preperation h on it...they dont know, thats why they pump gas for a living. as far as bandaging goes, i use saran wrap and recomend leaving it on for no less then 4 to six hours, and if possible over the first night. i have seen the chicken diapers and i think they are fine, i just think people take them off earlier to show they're frineds, whereas saran wrap is clear. paper towels and other dry obsorbents are bad,you pull them, and the top layer of your tattoo off with them. most times when a tattoo come back and needs a touch up, i find that the customer neglected it, although sometimes it is my fault...nobodies perfect, i do all my touchups free, but i can tell if you didnt take car of it or you picked scratched or went swiming with it. so being diligent and taking care of it in the first few weeks can make a big difference for the rest of your life..at least the next ten or fifteen years.

Eryk.

[SkinnyBird]

I use Mary Kay Night Emollient Creme. Its got the consistency of A&D when it first goes on, but absorbs right into the skin. Its why some of my tattoos that are about a decade old still look bright ane vibrant.

Try CeraVe, it's like cetaphil as far as being Ph neautral and hypoallergenic and everything, but it's got Hyaluronic acid in it and works similar to that...absorbs right into the skin and then pulls moisture in after it. Amazing stuff.

[SixAndChange]

i usually recomend bacitracin, neosporin, or a&d. for the first three to four days, then unscent lotion. i know people that bitch about all three of those products, i havnt had any problems, i find if there is a negative reaction its usualy from the neosporin, but really its all the same shit. you start having problems when people cake it on there, its supposed to be a THIN LAYER, not like you just jerked off with it, washed frequently, like two or three times a day, and reapplied. then after the first three days a nonscented hand lotion is good, i like eucerin, but whatever you normally use is probably fine. no soaking (baths pool hottub ect.) for two weeks but showers are fine, no picking or scratching, no direct sun exposure, no listening to your idiot frinds telling you to put vagisil and preperation h on it...they dont know, thats why they pump gas for a living. as far as bandaging goes, i use saran wrap and recomend leaving it on for no less then 4 to six hours, and if possible over the first night. i have seen the chicken diapers and i think they are fine, i just think people take them off earlier to show they're frineds, whereas saran wrap is clear. paper towels and other dry obsorbents are bad,you pull them, and the top layer of your tattoo off with them. most times when a tattoo come back and needs a touch up, i find that the customer neglected it, although sometimes it is my fault...nobodies perfect, i do all my touchups free, but i can tell if you didnt take car of it or you picked scratched or went swiming with it. so being diligent and taking care of it in the first few weeks can make a big difference for the rest of your life..at least the next ten or fifteen years.

Eryk.


What is the average life span of say single bold lettered word, im talking how long will it be discernable.

[Tokyohoon]

I hear it's not good to use sharpies on the skin for drawing something out freehand and then tattooing over it. All the bad stuf in the ink, I hear it can have bad effects..True or False?

Sharpies are fine - the amount of ink that ends up on your skin is next to nothing. The only stipulation is that it has to be a NEW one, and should be disposed of or given to you when they finish.

I've been using Tattoo Goo or this stuff called Celi'. it looks like a mini deodorant stick, but works nice. still vibrant and no complications of any sort.

Tattoo Goo is basically vaseline with herbal extracts in it. Never used it myself, haven't heard any complaints about it, but can't recommend it either. Anyone ever have a shop that doesn't sell it recommend it to them? Didn't think so.

as far as bandaging goes, i use saran wrap and recomend leaving it on for no less then 4 to six hours, and if possible over the first night. i have seen the chicken diapers and i think they are fine, i just think people take them off earlier to show they're frineds, whereas saran wrap is clear.

I was using Saran up until recently for exactly that reason - then I found out that a number of states/regions are starting to outlaw it because of the increased risk of infection. The saran is like an incubator on the skin - it can get up to 45 degrees centigrade underneath. Perfect Breeding ground for bacteria. From now on it's chicken diapers for me... just as soon as I find a decent source in Japan.

What is the average life span of say single bold lettered word, im talking how long will it be discernable.

If it's written in 3mm tall cursive script, I'd be surprised if it's legible in 3 years.

I have script with roughly 1cm tall block letters, 20+ years and still perfectly legible.

If the word is written in 6 inch tall block letters, it'll last until enough of your skin has decomposed to make it illegible. With proper embalming techniques, you should be good for your lifespan plus another 20-30 years. Unless you're getting cremated.

[beer and loathing]

Tattoo Goo is basically vaseline with herbal extracts in it. Never used it myself, haven't heard any complaints about it, but can't recommend it either.

I've used it - no complaints, yet I wouldn't recommend it either. You pay for the name.

I find keeping it simple is the best option for me. I use a little A&D for the first day or two and then lotion for the rest. No saran wrap. No mess, No fuss...You know what comes next. :rolleyes:

[Blue Blood]

Aerosol Gasket remover.

[SkinnyBird]

If it's written in 3mm tall cursive script, I'd be surprised if it's legible in 3 years.

I have script with roughly 1cm tall block letters, 20+ years and still perfectly legible.

If the word is written in 6 inch tall block letters, it'll last until enough of your skin has decomposed to make it illegible. With proper embalming techniques, you should be good for your lifespan plus another 20-30 years. Unless you're getting cremated.

Another question for Hoon---how difficult is it to tattoo lettering? I've been thinking about getting a good amount of text done in an 18 or 20 point typewriter font. I'm wondering if that will be unreasonable to tattoo, compared to, say, block lettering of the same size?

[Tokyohoon]

Another question for Hoon---how difficult is it to tattoo lettering? I've been thinking about getting a good amount of text done in an 18 or 20 point typewriter font. I'm wondering if that will be unreasonable to tattoo, compared to, say, block lettering of the same size?

Missed this - around that size, shouldn'T be too hard, but expect to pay more.

[SkinInTheSticks]

How about Aquaphor? It was recommended by my artist, but has lanoline in it. Ive heard mixed comments about lanoline. Any opinions?

[Tokyohoon]

That brand isn't local to me, but lanoline is a common ingredient.

Note: Don't use lare amounts of lanoline lotions around ferrets. It smells like lunch to a stretchrat.

[HEADKICK HERO]

What is the average life span of say single bold lettered word, im talking how long will it be discernable.

no matter what tattoos tend to get a little "fuzzy" the pigment stays moist under the skin so because of that over time it will shift and swell, the idea is to give it room to grow, if you get it a decent size it will always be readable, if you mean very very small imagine writing a phone number on a napkin with a sharpie, and stretch that process over 5 to 10 yrs, your 4's look like 9's and so on. also think about placement, really bendable areas tend to be a littly fuzzier like an elbow or knee cap, if the area gets alot of sun (shoulders, driving arm) then it wont keep as well as say the leg, inner arm, thigh and other places that dont get as much sun or bend.

[Pug Ugly]

Fuck all that, when I finish up I just tape a fruit rollup over it and tell them to keep it on until their tattoo's healed.. Donesville.

[Tokyohoon]

What flavor?

[Froski]

I use Aquafor for the first day. Out To Sea Tattoo Lotion fucked me up and I had to get some work touched up because of it.

[RuneDK]

http://www.legemiddelsiden.no/bilder/tablettbilder/P4594_Decubal_kremer_R10_L.jpg
I just bought the large pump thing(second from the left)... so no I've got 1kg of this shit. It seems to work ok and my tattooist uses it himself, so it can't be all bad.

[indyhooligan]

or PM me and i'll sell you some. me and the wife have our own line of aftercare. this shit's been healing tattoos pretty damn fast. no pretty packaging, just a tube with a sticker on it.

[Pug Ugly]

What flavor?

Strawberry banana usually.. Must be the antibacterial qualities in the bananas or something. Plus they taste great.

On a serious note, there are hundreds of aftercare products out there, a lot of them that work great if they're used properly. I find it's getting the client to *listen* to how they should take care of it that helps the most. A few months ago I wrote out a big aftercare pamphlet and have been handing them out with real success. Hardly ever have to do a touch up anymore. People seem to be afraid to call with questions, so it helps when they have a reference to look back on.
I've used quite a few of the products listed here on my own tattoos and they've all worked.
A friend of mine is heavily covered in bright as fuck tattoos and all he uses is fuckin' vasoline. Just so happens that's what works for his skin the best. *shrug*.. Who knew?

[Chucky Scouser]

Tattoo Care:
Wash your tat
Put lotion on
Don't Scratch

Thats it... you can jump through hoops like some of the wankers on here or you can do these 3 things. Either way if your artist new what the fuck they were doing the tattoo should come out well. My ink is top drawer and I have seriously never gone through all that anal retentiveness.

[indyhooligan]

Tattoo Care:
Wash your tat
Put lotion on
Don't Scratch

Thats it... you can jump through hoops like some of the wankers on here or you can do these 3 things. Either way if your artist new what the fuck they were doing the tattoo should come out well. My ink is top drawer and I have seriously never gone through all that anal retentiveness.

and you've been tattooing for how long? um... yeah....

[aaronriddle]

Tattoo Care:
Wash your tat
Put lotion on
Don't Scratch

Thats it... you can jump through hoops like some of the wankers on here or you can do these 3 things. Either way if your artist new what the fuck they were doing the tattoo should come out well. My ink is top drawer and I have seriously never gone through all that anal retentiveness.

This is very bad advice. Be sure to not tell people that ever.

[brettagal]

im not happy the last tat i had done, well how can i say it, it fucking exploded, ive got a long scab running right through it, i didnt pick i kept it cleaned and lotioned daily, none of my other tats have done this, im not happy, i want to go back when its healed and make the fucker re colour it, but im worried it will fuck up again.
i went through agony with this tat and im due to go for more work on my sleeve but now im dubious.:frown:

[eddie shots]

i personally dont care fore my tats anymore. im a bad healer so it really doesnt make a difference to me. when it gets itchy after about 3 days i ll throw some curel on it once in a while.

[Professor]

i was using aquaphor for 2 of them with no problems, but then i started a forearm half-sleeve and it got all fucked up. i think the aquaphor clogged my pores and caused a whole mess of ingrown hairs. nasty shit. i got more work done on it and used tattoo goo and everything was fine. it's still not done, but i'm just gonna stick with the goo. it's never given me a problem.

[Chucky Scouser]

and you've been tattooing for how long? um... yeah....

What?

I don't tattoo... i have tats that are 7-8 years old that are just as bright as they were when they were new. Hence Tattoo Artist knowing what they were doing.

[indyhooligan]

What?

I don't tattoo... i have tats that are 7-8 years old that are just as bright as they were when they were new. Hence Tattoo Artist knowing what they were doing.

which means you know what works for you. i see all kinds of skin types and the same thing doesn't work for everyone. and if that was a stab at me dickhead, yeah i know what the fuck i'm doing.

[Chucky Scouser]

which means you know what works for you. i see all kinds of skin types and the same thing doesn't work for everyone. and if that was a stab at me dickhead, yeah i know what the fuck i'm doing.

It wasn't a stab at you i don't know your work nor do I care to know it... I am just talking about those chop-shops that you find outside of Military Bases that are horrible. And the worst part about it is they charge a fortune for a tattoo that has equal quality to a prison tat

[Tokyohoon]

im not happy the last tat i had done, well how can i say it, it fucking exploded, ive got a long scab running right through it, i didnt pick i kept it cleaned and lotioned daily, none of my other tats have done this, im not happy, i want to go back when its healed and make the fucker re colour it, but im worried it will fuck up again.
i went through agony with this tat and im due to go for more work on my sleeve but now im dubious.:frown:

The way you described it in the other thread sounds like you had an allergic reaction, either to the pigment he was using or to something that got onto the fresh and open tattoo afterwards.

Don't let it throw you off getting the piece finished properly - just be ready this time with some allergy meds.

[indyhooligan]

It wasn't a stab at you i don't know your work nor do I care to know it... I am just talking about those chop-shops that you find outside of Military Bases that are horrible. And the worst part about it is they charge a fortune for a tattoo that has equal quality to a prison tat

seems more like you just like the sound of your own voice.

[indyhooligan]

im not happy the last tat i had done, well how can i say it, it fucking exploded, ive got a long scab running right through it, i didnt pick i kept it cleaned and lotioned daily, none of my other tats have done this, im not happy, i want to go back when its healed and make the fucker re colour it, but im worried it will fuck up again.
i went through agony with this tat and im due to go for more work on my sleeve but now im dubious.:frown:

i'm with hoon, sounds like a possible allergic reaction. could have been over worked possibly. it really depends on the artists hand. alot of guys in my town go deeper than i do, and run their machines differently. could be a number of things. as far as pigment goes, i that's a tough one and it's hard to diagnose without seeing the piece in question. but maybe a bit of bepanthen might help.

[Chucky Scouser]

seems more like you just like the sound of your own voice.

What the fuck are you talking about?

[indyhooligan]

What the fuck are you talking about?

my point exactly.

[aaronriddle]

i'm with hoon, sounds like a possible allergic reaction. could have been over worked possibly. it really depends on the artists hand. alot of guys in my town go deeper than i do, and run their machines differently. could be a number of things. as far as pigment goes, i that's a tough one and it's hard to diagnose without seeing the piece in question. but maybe a bit of bepanthen might help.

Well, if it was an allergic reaction to the ink it should've been just one of the colors causing it not all of them and if thats the case that sucks. It seems to me like it was the whole tattoo if i'm correct? Alot of that has to do with what you said about him overworking the skin or running his machine too high, or having too long of a stroke. I'd say from the looks of the tattoo in the picture it could of possibly been the tattoo artists fault rather than the ink.

[Dawgnuts]

I dry healed my last work I had dont and it came out great.

[Tokyohoon]

Well, if it was an allergic reaction to the ink it should've been just one of the colors causing it not all of them and if thats the case that sucks. It seems to me like it was the whole tattoo if i'm correct? Alot of that has to do with what you said about him overworking the skin or running his machine too high, or having too long of a stroke. I'd say from the looks of the tattoo in the picture it could of possibly been the tattoo artists fault rather than the ink.

Yeah, 'cept in this case she started taking over-the-counter allergy medicine and the itching/weeping stopped. Don't forget that you can also see allergic reactions to the lotions, to soap, to a host of other things.

[brettagal]

Yeah, 'cept in this case she started taking over-the-counter allergy medicine and the itching/weeping stopped. Don't forget that you can also see allergic reactions to the lotions, to soap, to a host of other things.
it has healed and has 2 long scars running through it, the guy who did it went pretty deep with the needles and worked on it for over 2 hours (which the hubby said was way too long for a piece my size).
im going to another guy to get it re coloured.
then im booking up to get my elbow done (fucking ouch)ive been to see my gp and she's giving me some meds to help counteract any reactions or allergy's i may have.
fingers crossed .

[Tokyohoon]

Awww.. damn, sorry to hear that.

[brettagal]

Awww.. damn, sorry to hear that.
its ok, i guess its a risk anyone takes getting ink, i just hope the piece im getting done on the elbow heals better.
i will try and post a pic of the scars when i can find my camera.

[brettagal]

hoping to get more work done soon, starting on my elbow, is there anything i can do to try and prevent getting another rection like before, im really worried its going to over scab and scar like the last one

[indyhooligan]

bepanthen. different artist?