Tattoo aftercare

After care for a new tattoo is important. Just as important as it was for you to find that amazing, trustworthy artist you selected for your tattoo. There is no point going through that pain and paying the money you saved for to get your piece, if you don't take care of the tattoo once you get it. So here is what I recommend for your piece once you get. All artists are different and will have different instructions for after care and you should follow what your artists says. In my aftercare instructions I am always sure to say- don't listen to your friends for what they tell you to put on it! Everyone has a cure all.
Alright, so here it is;

• Remove bandage after about 4-6 hours. You may be instructed to leave the bandage on over night and I recommend this only to people that I feel like it is necessary to do this.  
• Rinse tattoo well with warm water- you may use liquid soap. I recommend Dr. Bronners, it is pure castile soap, nothing harsh and biodegradable. I always recommend liquid soap diluted down with water. I never recommend bar soap because it sits out and I don't believe bar soap is self cleaning. Most bar soaps are made with lye (animal fat) and bi-products. Not too mention harsh scents.
• Once the tattoo is rinsed and clean,  patting it dry with a clean towel or paper towel will remove extra moisture that can cause the tattoo to get goopy. 
• Let it get some air. This will help the drying out process which will lead to a peel or flaking of the tattoo. This is normal. It may peel similar to a sun burn. Do not pick at it.
• I recommend washing your tattoo twice per day, morning and night for 3-7 days then once a day is good. 
• After the first 48-72 hours I recommend an ointment or lotion to put on it to help smooth it out, feel better and create ease of your skin bending, since in joint areas movement alone can irritate and prolong healing. 
• The ointments and lotions I recommend are: Aveeno, aquaphor, waxelene. These are great to use during the healing process. Once the tattoo is healed all the way I like to use coconut oil, almond oil or vitamin E oil to moisturize it and keep the skin glowing and happy. 
• While your tattoo is still new (within the first month) never expose it to sun. The sun can do some real damage, since a fresh tattoo is like already having a sun burn or road rash. 
• It is common enough to have some areas on the piece that heal rough. If this is the case, the best thing you can do is leave it alone. Irritation comes from over touching it. A lot of the times tattoos are also irritated by having too much ointment or cream on it. When tattoos get irritated and angry often times I have to recommend not putting anything on it for a couple of days or so. That way it can dry out. When you have a wound to your skin, if it is dry it can not get infected. 
• Witch hazel is also a nice toner to use if your healed tattooed is giving you trouble. If you have gotten scratches or bug bites on it, I would spray it down lightly. 

Always use a nice sunblock over your tattoo for the future, otherwise you will sun blast it out sooner and make it look ruddy. And be sure to be proud of your new tattoo and show it to your friends and refer your artist to them!