This article was written by Michelle Myles and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Michelle Myles is the Co-owner of Daredevil Tattoo, a tattoo shop located based in New York City's Lower East Side. Michelle has more than 20 years of tattooing experience. She also operates the Daredevil Tattoo Museum, co-owner Brad Fink's personal collection of antique tattoo memorabilia that he has amassed over the last 27 years of tattooing.
There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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When you get a tattoo, you’re essentially getting a colorful wound applied to your skin. The first 48 hours are especially important, since it’s vital to keep your new ink covered, cleaned, and moisturized as it starts to heal. We’ll guide you through all the tattoo aftercare instructions you need to know, so you can have a smooth recovery time.
This article is based on an interview with our tattoo artist, Michelle Myles, co-owner of Daredevil Tattoo. Check out the full interview here.
Disclaimer: Always follow your tattoo artist’s specific instructions in the days and weeks after getting your tattoo, even if they differ from the instructions below.
Things You Should Know
- Leave the covering on your tattoo for 2-10 hours before carefully washing and moisturizing the ink.
- Continue to wash and moisturize your tattoo daily. If you shower, do it quickly with cool or lukewarm water.
- Practice good aftercare habits as your tattoo heals, like keeping your tattoo covered when you go outside and avoiding swimming..
Steps
Expert Q&A
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Tips
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Get in touch with your tattoo artist if you have any questions or concerns about the healing process for your tattoo. They’re well-informed about how their tattoos heal and can provide you with useful guidance at this time.Thanks
References
- ↑ http://www.smchealth.org/sites/main/files/file-attachments/tattooaftercare.pdf
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/tattoo-healing-process/
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/best-tattoo-soap/
- ↑ https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/healthAuthors/CEH/PDFs/Tattoo_aftercare.pdf
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/can-you-over-moisturize-a-tattoo/
- ↑ https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/healthAuthors/CEH/PDFs/Tattoo_aftercare.pdf
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/how-long-to-keep-tattoo-wrapped/
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/how-often-should-you-wash-a-new-tattoo/
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/when-to-stop-washing-tattoo-with-soap/
- ↑ https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/healthAuthors/CEH/PDFs/Tattoo_aftercare.pdf
- ↑ https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/healthAuthors/CEH/PDFs/Tattoo_aftercare.pdf
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/tattoo-lotions-ointments-creams/
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/showering-with-a-new-tattoo/
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/tattoo-aftercare/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/tattoos-and-piercings/art-20045067/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/tattoos/caring-for-tattooed-skin
- ↑ https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/healthAuthors/CEH/PDFs/Tattoo_aftercare.pdf
- ↑ https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdhhs/Doing-Business-with-MDHHS/Body-Art-Facility-Licensure/MDCH_-_Tattoo_Aftercare_-_Final_pdf_288593_7.pdf?rev=bc7572a171a842bcad58118e8296d665&hash=35C422C851D931073F3974B18AE8AF2E
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/stop-tattoo-itching/
- ↑ https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/how-to-care-for-a-new-tattoo
- ↑ https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/nutrition/if-nfs-eating-well-for-wound-healing.pdf
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23295-tattoo-infection
About This Article
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"This afternoon @ 1:30 pm I got a tattoo covering my whole dominant hand, which is my right, so I have yet to begin this healing process and steps, but I love to hear fruits and vegetables are good to eat when healing because I live on & love veggies."..." more