Tattoo aftercare

I just got a new tattoo

The guy in the shop said I should keep it wrapped in clingfilm for 3 days (taking off and washing and then dressing again in clingfilm twice a day)

Every other time I have gotten a tattoo (Ive had three others) they just said keep it dry and dont pick at it... and most of what I can find online is of a similar theme and specifically says dont keep it wrapped up cos it needs to breathe to heal.

Any tips?

 

Keep it moisturized with something mild and light like Eucerin (no aloe). I've never heard to leave it covered with the wrap that long. Wash it with mild soap like Dove or Vanicream. And no sun. That's the advice I've gotten with my past six tats.

 

That's pretty much what I was told when I got my last few, I think I'll stick with that. Cheers.

 

I know tats are way cool, but if you need a good paying job - don't get any that show.

Just saying cuz I'm in HR at a big inner city hospital that said "No way" - of course...unofficially.

 

Huh. I was told to NOT leave the clingy wrap stuff on that long, and took it off later that night.

Keeping it moisturized is the big thing....every time mine started itching, I smeared on some mild, unscented lotion.

 

I always took the wrap off after i showered and use a good moisturister.

 

Well, thanks for the tip... but I'm 34 years old and have a paying job since I was 16 (and worked at the same place since I was 22) and so far they keep me on.

If I had a tattoo on my face or something I expect it would be a bit of a problem, but all I have are on my arms, so I can wear a long sleeved shirt if I need to cover them.

 

Covered or uncovered, I use Aquaphor. I have done it both ways, the covered and uncovered. On the session before last on my rib piece, we had very little time for it to heal before squeezing in another round. She advised me to try the "plasma therapy" route, which involves keeping it covered for several days with gentle cleanings in between. Within a week or so it was fully healed, and the longevity of it has been better than any of the others to date.

 

You okay, brother?

I mean, you didn't mention anything about rubbing mint Skoal into the scabs to "seal the ink in" and "have your girlfriend urinate on it twice daily."

...

My tattoo experience has been to splatify it with Neosporin until it is healified, then slather it with lotion until you decide that it's not going anywhere.

 

With my first one, I was told I could take the plastic off of it as soon as I got home. DON'T get it wet for, like, a week or so, I think, and during that time, A&D ointment is your best friend; you get used to the smell. Regardless of what they tell me with my next one, that's how I'm going to care for it.

 

As everyone stated, but don't go swimming for at least a month as stated by the tattoo after care document I received after every session (just because it was fun to read and in case I forgot some minor detail. Like sacrifice a goat for the gods.).

 

Hah! I can totally imagine you sitting on a stool in your bathroom with a knife, a confused baby goat in the tub and a tattoo care sheet.

I was going to use the appropriate term for a baby goat but that will just never sound right.​

 

Aquaphor is the best shit in the world.

 

Odd thing, the last tattoo care shit I saw recommended no cover but A&D ointment or bacitracin though it also stated no petroleum products and said specifically not to use neosporin. I know we generally recommend against neosporin at the clinic because so many people have reactions and I it often seems to generally irritate the skin more than whatever got at it to begin with. I just thought it was a strange irony that it recommended against petroleum products and specifically went on to recommend two.

In general a dirty wound you wouldn't want to use an ointment as you may be encouraging infection to occur by basically locking bacteria onto the wound. An animal bite for example would be a dirty wound, which we would typically avoid suturing at all costs for the same reason. Same things goes for deep puncture wounds such as getting a nail stuck in your foot. I would assume a tattoo would be a clean wound and certainly not deep so this wouldn't apply.

 

Goons TattooMegathread: Full of the Nicest People Around! Oh, and Tattoos! - The Something Awful Forums

El Jackalope is Doug Hardy from Tattoo City. He's a pretty reliable expert and has done a lot of tattoos.

 

I also use Aquaphor. It worked wonders for my chest piece.

 

What are you, an amateur? Everyone knows that lacquer thinner and shit from a homeless guy are what you use prior to Aquaphor.

 

anything that has vitamin e in it works great. and i have never been told to keep it covered any longer than it takes to get home

 

My understanding is that the plastic wrap cover just keeps the blood under control. Once it's done bleeding, take it off...

I've always used just a tiny amount of unscented vitamin E lotion.

This method keeps it just wet enough to prevent scabs that can be easily picked off by my clothing and just dry enough that it doesn't take a lifetime to heal.

 

My tattoo artist used to go on rants against using plastic wrap at all, said people only did it to show off their new ink and that gauze kept the bleeding under control and let it breathe at the same time.