THE PROPER CARE AND FEEDING OF A TATTOO

A tattoo isn’t completed until it is fully healed, which can take about two weeks. This takes active participation on your part. Core Tattoo in Pacific Beach provided the following aftercare instructions:

Remove the bandage after one hour, two maximum.  All wounds need to breathe if in order to heal properly. Wash the tattoo using your fingertips or hands only – no scrubbing! Use a mild antibacterial soap and warm water. Take care to remove all traces of blood, as this will cause scabbing. Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth during the two-week healing period. Always gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean soft cloth or let it air dry.

Apply a thin coat of ointment to the tattoo: Aquaphor, A&D Ointment and Tattoo Goo are all good choices. (Apply just enough to make it shine, a little goes a long way.) Work it into the skin really well. Dab off all the excess with a paper towel. You should barely see it; this is just enough to keep the tattoo moist and to keep it from scabbing. Your body heat will liquefy the ointment and it may become glossy looking or runny. This means there’s too much on there. Dab more off. Too much ointment will only suffocate the tattoo and liquefy any scabs that may have formed causing the ink to fall out and look blotchy. There is no need to re-bandage the tattoo. Aquaphor, A&D Ointment, Tattoo Goo and Vitamin E Oil are all very good for your new tattoo.

Ointment can be applied whenever the tattoo is feeling stiff or dry but beware of over-moisturizing. Your body will absorb what it needs where it needs it. Apply ointment twice a day for 2-3 days then switch to a regular moisturizer like Aveeno, Eucerin, Keri, Lubriderm, Curel, Jergens, or Vaseline Intensive care. Apply moisturizer twice a day for the remainder of two weeks. DO NOT use lotions that contain color, fragrance, or sparkles until the healing is complete. (Usually anywhere from ten days to two weeks; Possibly longer for slower healers.)

Your skin will form a protective layer no matter what you do. If you do not keep it moist enough, or if it is too moist(it’s a personal balance and different for each individual), it will form a thick, hard scab that may crack when you move. When you form this kind of a scab the ink sits within it and slowly heals into the skin. When the tattoo is kept moist it doesn’t have a chance to form a scab but does form a thin membrane to protect the tattoo while it heals. This layer peels off similar to the way a sunburn does (do not peel your tattoo, you will pull the ink out!) and it is normal to see small flakes of colored skin falling off during this stage of healing.

You must keep your tattoo clean, however, long showers or baths must be avoided for 2 weeks. Prolonged soaking can and will loosen scabs if any have formed, or will soak through the soft tissue and cause your ink to flow down the drain. This includes soaking in the ocean, pool, hot tub, and saunas. Short showers are best, under ten minutes if possible.

 Refrain from scratching or picking at the tattoo. Scrubbing with a washcloth can be very harsh on a tattoo and will cause your colors to fade. It is normal for the tattoo to become very itchy during the healing time. To relieve this, spray the tattoo with rubbing alcohol or slap it with your hand (this will sting it and take away the itch).

 The sun is BAD for your tattoo, even if you’ve had it for a long time. Sunburn on a new tattoo can cause it to dry out or to form a horrendous scab, which will fade the tattoo before it is even healed. It will also increase the healing time significantly and promotes scarring. Wait until it is fully healed to go back in the sun or a tanning bed and make sure you put on a high quality SUNBLOCK. (Do not apply sunblock while the tattoo is healing.) The tattoo is under your skin, and your tan will form above it. If you get too dark, some colors (white, yellow, pink, and orange) may not show up as brightly as they could. Over time, excessive exposure to sunlight will cause your tattoo to fade no matter what colors are used.

 Remember that hands and feet reproduce skin cells much faster than other parts of the body. A tattoo in these areas will sometimes take an extra two weeks to heal. During this time refrain from washing dishes, wearing gloves, or wearing socks and shoes (sandals must not rub the tattoo). Any friction of this type WILL wear away the tattoo within a very short period of time. Tattoos in these areas are almost never guaranteed.