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for all you tattoo gurus, I got a tatto about 24 hours ago. My instructions were to not wash or get the tattoo wet (it is on my calf). The artist just told me to apply A+D antibitic ointment on it 2x a day or more, so that's the only thing I have been doing. After I looked it up right now it says that I should have washed it 15-20 minutes after I remove the bandage and repeat that every 25-30 minutes for 3 hours or so(he saran wrapped it instead of a bandage too). The only thing I did was apply ointment 2x yesterday.

Right now I just washed it with some soap and water and rinsed it well, then patted it dry.

Does anyone have advice on what I should do right now? Should I just keep washing it 2-3x a day and apply ointment after it? Also, is there anything I should look for to make sure it didn't get infected? It doesnt hurt and theres no signs of bleeding or anything, though theres really slight redness at some areas.

Thanks!
Allen

No need to wash it too often, that will just irritate it and keep it from healing the way that it should. I usually just wash it in the morning shower and night shower depending on where its at. The ones on my hands got washed a lot more often just because of my occupation and wanting to keep them clean. 2 times a day, morning and evening should be fine.

Personally i wouldnt use the ointment either. Ointment will keep it too moist and not allow it to heal properly, as well as holding in bacteria. Use curel lotion instead and apply it to the tattoo and gently rub it in 3-4 times a day. It keeps the moisture in your skin, but still allows the tattoo to heal.

I cant believe your artist wrapped it in suran wrap...havent seen that done in ages and is looked down upon by most artists, especially those that have current learning/knowledge of the art.

inko got ink

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Whew thanks for the info DRO. I kinda freak out on impulse sometimes. Good thing there's always FP to fall back on . It looks normal (I think?). Today morning I woke up and found an imprint of my tattoo on my bedsheets but I'm guessing thats the excess ink or scab from the ointment?

Hehe, Inko did get inked.

Yeah thats pretty normal by the time the tat is around a week old or so it will start to scab up a bit and the scab will flake off when you wash it.

scab

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

All is good and healed, thanks all!

And no scabbing, only peeling/flaking.