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There are practical steps which should be undertaken to ensure good hygiene and healing of newly tattooed skin. I have seen the effects of poor caring and unclean practices. It simply ruins the tattoo and bodily infection in itself has many health implications. Take practical tattoo aftercare steps or you potentially will wear the signs of mistreatment alongside your tattoo design.

Washing

Using antibacterial soap with water, gently wash the tattooed area with your hands, do not use a cloth as this can easily disturb the area and delay proper healing. Under normal conditions the above should be done at least 3 times a day, more if the area has been subjected to excessive sweat or dirt of any kind.

Drying & Bandages

Only ever pat-dry the cleansed area, no not scrub or rub in any way as again this could disturb the area and delay healing. Apply A&D oil or an antibacterial ointment, cover with sterile bandages and tape down securely. It is important to keep new tattoos bandaged as clothes and other items will irritate and potentially run the risk of infection. If you find that the bandages stick to your skin, simply soak in cool water until the bandage freely becomes loose, do not pull or tug at it the bandage. Afterwards, use more A&D oil to ensure no excessive sticking occurs. It is also quite normal for some coloration of the bandages from the tattoo in the early stages of healing.

Healing time

Depending, healing will occur between 2-10 weeks, the tattoo will more likely than not itch during the stages of healing - resist! Do not pick or scratch. Eventually the skin will stop flaking, at this time use lotion to keep the area moisturized; you should not need bandages or ointment any more at this stage.

Keep the tattoo away from direct sunlight during healing and cover if you use a sun bed. It is also advisable to use a factor 50 sun block afterwards to preserve your design after healing has happened. Go here for more tattoo information

Dos and don'ts

• Do not go swimming in fresh, salt or chlorinated water for 2 weeks after your new tattoo
• Do not visit any steam rooms for 2 weeks after your new tattoo
• Do not use Vaseline or hydrogen peroxide on your tattoo
• Do use loads of ointment or A&D oil
• Do cover your tattoo when sunbathing with clothes or sun block
• Do consult a medical practitioner at the first signs of infection or anything that seems abnormal as a result of your tattoo.

Good judgment should always be exercised in tattoo design, artist and aftercare and professional advice should be sought with any matters relating to abnormal healing or infection from your tattoo. Go here for more information and tattoo designs.

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