Tattoo Help (Not Sure Where To Post)

Feb 27, 2014

Jillian S.

I'm getting my first tattoo tomorrow morning, can anybody give me any tips on healing it correctly and washing it/keeping it clean?
I wasnt sure which category to post this in, so I hope this is okay!

Feb 27, 2014

Jillian S.

Thank you! would oil free moisturizer be alright to put on it?

Feb 27, 2014

Stephanie S.

My brother puts a & d cream in his tats and he has a lot of them and never had problems. or buy a cream meant for tattoos
don't let sun hit it too much
don't scratch or peel it
like jacqlyn said, be gentle

Feb 27, 2014

Jillian S.

Thanks! I've also heard of people using paw paw ointment on them, but I'm not entirely fond of the idea of that, do you know if that could work? :)

Feb 27, 2014

Haley G.

I think I used the a & d cream Stephanie mentioned above, and I've had no problems with it either. Both my tattoo guys recommended it for aftercare. What are you getting tomorrow?

Feb 27, 2014

Haley G.

They make a suncreen specifically for tattoos, as well! I think Coppertone makes it, I have it but haven't tried yet.
I'm worried about having used the a&d cream now:(

Feb 27, 2014

Sarah N.

I'm not sure if they have bepanthen where your from but thats the best cream for fresh tattoos! I was on holidays when I got my first tattoo in the Cook Islands and used paw paw ointment for it as they had no good quality moisturizers for sale over there and it worked fined. But you just have to make sure you don't scratch it as it will get very itchy and when it starts to scab DO NOT pick it coz you'll pick the ink out before it fully heals! :)
Where abouts are you getting it? And wha?t :) you'll have to post pics for us when its done!! ☺️

Feb 27, 2014

Haley G.

Oh wow that will look so striking I like it! I have a the outline of a geometric flower in the same spot (: please post a picture when you get it done, I'd love to see it.

Feb 27, 2014

Jillian S.

Ill definitely post a pic of it once I get it done tomorrow! sarah, I'm getting it on my inner forearm just before my elbow!  :)

Feb 27, 2014

Lynzie B.

I washed mine once or twice a day with anti bacteria soap and then applied a & d. I also wear loose clothing until it's healed because it can rub. Don't pick the scabs, you could pull out the ink, just apply the A&D if it starts to dry out. Some people say don't use a&d because it can fade your tat but it didn't fade any of mine at all, so you'll probably get different advice from individual tattoo artist.

Feb 27, 2014

Jillian S.

Thank you girls! you're all so helpful and supportive! :)

Feb 27, 2014

Shaundi P.

Hi: ) I just got my first tattoo on the 19th. you have to clean it with clear antibacterial soap and for the first few days you put ointment on it after you clean and dry it, after the first few days its itchy but DON't scratch it put unscented lotion (like they give you at the hospital) on it after cleaning it

Feb 27, 2014

Shaundi P.

I used a&d ointment by the way and my mom who has multiple tattoos used that for all of hers and never had any problems

Feb 27, 2014

Jillian S.

Alright, thankyou heaps! Would a dettol soap be good for cleaning it?
I'll definitely be getting info off my tattooist for it too :)

Feb 27, 2014

Sazjah B.

DONT USE PAW PAW lol paw paw has petroleum gelly in it that blocks it and fades the ink your tat needs to breath and it won't with paw paw trust me look it up on Google. regularly wash with soap and water and put bepanthen cream on it for a week after a week use normal moisturiser like sorbelene or vasaline. avoid sun and pools.

Feb 27, 2014

Sazjah B.

I know coz I have 2 tats and my hubby is covereeedd in them lol

Feb 27, 2014

Cristina N.

Aquaphor wash the tatto with warm water and disinfectant liquid soap, wait til it dries, add Aquaphor then with a wet napkin/towel go over the tattoo like your taking the Aquaphor off, if you see the Aquaphor you have too much!! I used this on my tattoo and my husbands!

Feb 27, 2014

Cristina N.

^ I forgot do this for five days! The next five days wash the tattoo the same but add a non scented lotion/moisturizer

Feb 27, 2014

CPT- Lili R.

For the first week or so you are going to do nothing but wash it with antibacktirial soap 3 times a day after that you can put a littel bit of aquaphore not to much just a tiny bit but you are going to keep the washing routine so wash and then put the aquaphore on you only need to do it like 1 a day after like the 4 days after you started using the aquaphore you can put only un seanted lotion... This mostly applies to bigger tattoos if your tattoo is small then it won't need as much care but always wash

Feb 27, 2014

Cierra A.

I used a&d the first week then used unscented lotion. I heard it was the best for color. I think it worked great.

Feb 27, 2014

Cierra A.

Don't scratch. tap it/smack it. I also heard that helps with keeping color. lol. but that may have just been my friend wanting a reason to hit my fresh tattoo. lol.

Feb 27, 2014

Bella B.

Use sunblock every morning even if you aren't going anywhere because the sun starts to ware down the color in the tattoo ❤️💓 you don't want that 💋💋💋

Feb 27, 2014

Caitriona H.

I might repeat a few things the other girls said but what I did was:
The first night have a as hot and long a shower as you want but after that first night try to make them quick and lukewarm. Wash it twice a day (morning and night) with lukewarm soapy water and kitchen towels. Be very gentle don't scrub or rub then I'd pat it dry and put on a nice layer of Bepanthem, cover it with cling film and medical tape for 2-3 days. After the two to three days you don't have to wear the cling film anymore BUT please wear 100% cotton t shirts so your tattoo can breathe and heal. Continue with the same washing and cream every morning and night for a few more days (lets say 3 or 4) and you can switch to moisturiser. I recommend E45 cream. Don't go swimming for at least 3 weeks, don't go out in the sun without it completely covered by your clothes, no sun bathing, avoid getting shampoo/ conditioner/ body wash on it in the shower, it'll be really itchy but don't stratch it, you'll stratch off parts of it and have yourself a patchy tattoo (smack it or tap it like Cierra said), everyones scabs but DON't pick them off, be really nice and careful with it, its on your body for life and you want it to heal properly, change your t-shirt very regularly. Hope this helped x

Ps: the ink will leak onto your t-shirt (just happens) so wear ones you don't mind being inky.
Pps: don't forgot to make sure its cotton.