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Finding Tattooist
Final Decision
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Getting Inked
What Next
Tattoo Q&A Before
Tattoo Q&A After
Tattoo Safety
Becoming Tattooist

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What Happens Next page 2

While It Heals

Continue to keep the tattoo clean as described above for as long as your tattooist prescribed. Tend the area at least twice a day and always use a clean towel to dry off. Generally, you'll be told to use the ointment for three days or so. Some tattooists will tell you to do so until the tattoo has scabbed and others until it is healed.

When you stop using the ointment continue to keep the area clean and start to use a lotion to keep the skin soft.

After a few days you'll see some peeling and a little scabbing. A great deal of scabbing indicates a poorly inked tattoo but a little is natural as your body heals itself. As it heals, the skin over the tattoo will go cloudy -- known as Onion Skin. Don't panic; it's a natural part of the process and the tattoo will soon be bright and clear. If you wet your finger and gently rub it over the tattoo, you should see the colour as it will look in a few days.

The key with aftercare is to keep the tattoo clean and well moisturised. Use the ointment until the wound is healed and then a lotion to help the skin recover. Don't try to rush the process by using too much of either; let nature take its course and all will be well.

If It Itches

Don't scratch!

Don't pick, don't rub, don't scratch. If it's absolutely unbearable, try gently patting the area with the flat of your fingers.

The tattoo must heal completely and it must heal without any further damage to the area. Just leave it alone. The better you treat your tattoo now, the better it will look for a lifetime.

Sun, Sea and Sand

While your tattoo heals stay out of the sun, the sea, the swimming pool and away from anything that could scratch the skin and/or get in to the wound (like sand). Many tattooists will tell you to stay away from sun and sea for at least six weeks. Keep the area covered up and well protected. Even after your tattoo has healed it's best to apply plenty of high factor sun block to protect the area and avoid fading.

Re-Inking

However well you tend to your new tattoo there is the possibility that it will need re-inking. This can be for a variety of reasons and, though it is a bit annoying, it's for the best in the long run.

If you think your tattoo needs some extra work, return to the tattooist and ask him/her to take a look. Be polite and ask their opinion. If they agree with you, you may be able to have the work done immediately or you may have to go back at a specified time.

Remember, once re-inked your tattoo is an open wound again and needs to be cared for in the same careful way you looked after it before.

Shaving After You've Had A Tattoo

If you've had a tattoo somewhere that you usually shave (generally a woman with a tattoo on her leg), you'll need to let the tattoo heal fully before you start shaving again.

You need to be aware of this beforehand; plan on wearing trousers for a while after you've been inked. The area will already have been shaved by the tattooist, just leave the tattoo alone until it is completely healed. You can shave around the tattoo but, if you do so, be sure that the tattoo isn't infected by shaving foam, cream or hair.

You must leave the tattoo unshaven until the skin above it is entirely healed. If there is any scabbing or peeling, wait a bit longer. When you can't tell the difference between the surrounding area and the tattoo, then it's safe to start shaving again.

Once you've started to shave the area again, make sure to moisturise it thoroughly as this will help to keep the skin healthy and the tattoo shining bright.

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