Tattoo care

[MunkeyBoy]

Hi all,

I've just had a tattoo done on my right arm, it was my 1st and I'm not afraid to say hurt a fair bit. I had it done 5 days ago and am not really sure if I'm caring for it properly. At the moment I dont have it covered and apply Tatto Goo which the tattoist suggested 3-4 times a day. My problem is it doesn't seem to be scabbing up much and I'm just wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I haven't got it wet since having it done (bathing is a nightmare!) and was thinking maybe i should be washing it gently. How long before I can get it fully wet?

Also how long before I can wear t-shirts and stuff because at the moment when I wear a shirt to work the shoulder gets ink on it!

[happy_face]

Hi MunkeyBoy. Did you not get an Aftercare leaflet from the tattoo place???? Tattoo goo is excellent stuff and by using that you don't really get much of a scab. But you should be washing your tattoo though. Gentle washing with soap and water and pat dry (NEVER rub), leave to dry for 10-15mins and then apply goo. This needs to be done for 3 times a day for the first week and then you can slow down on the washing. You mustn't submerge the tattoo in water though like taking a bath as it will disolve the scab and then you might ruin the tattoo with secondary scarring.

There should also be some instructions on the tattoo goo tin.

Hope this helps

[blueeyedlass]

i have to say with both mines i applied the cream a few times then i just left it alone and it was fine.

[MunkeyBoy]

Thanks for all the advice happy_face, Nope didn't get a leaflet although he did tell me what to do. I was just worried things wern't quite going right. Makes me feel better knowing that I shouldn't be getting too much of a scab. I will now start to wash it gently. don't worry I haven't been submerging my tattoo fully in the bath just washing around it.

I was just curious to know when I can fully submerge my tattoo in water. How do I know when the healing process is over? How long did it take for everyone else's tattoo's to fully heal?

[<3bis]

Hello! Having had a vaaaaaast quantity of tattoos, this seems to be the proceedure advocated by the pro's- Leave cligfilm on tatt for 24 HOURS (v.imporant apparently), after 24 hrs wash tattoo gently with unperfumed soap and water as hot as you can stand. pat dry. apply ACRIFLEX- savlon has bleach in it as does germolene which may damage the colour. Tattoo goo is apparently too weak to disinfect the tattoo and can hinder the scabbing process as it is too greasy. Try not to get your tattoo wet for a few days. Apply acriflex twice a day. After about 2- 3 wks when the scab is all gone, replay acriflex with e45 and always remember to apply sucream to the area when out.

TA DA!! Perfect, un, blurry, healthy new tatt!!!

[nicola_red]

It seems like everyone has been given slightly different advice.  Mine was most similar to what happy_face has said - washing gently with soap and water and patting dry every day, although I just used E45.  I took the clingfilm off after a couple hours too.  My tats are all perfectly healed and not blurry - I think it tends to take about ten days for the scabs to come away. 

[Penny]

when i got mine, i bathed it in luke warm water every day (not for too long though!) and, like nicola_red, used E45 cream. these things were suggested by the tattooist, and they worked fine :)

[CiderMonkey]

i did basically the same as Nicola_Red, with just the E45 and washing with soap and water evey day - all mine healed perfectly.

[loobie]

MunkeyBoy,

I had my tatoo done 4 years ago. I was told by the tattoist to use Savlon (which is pretty much the same as E45). Used it loads and it healed great. As for bathing, I can't remember that far back but don't recall it being a prob. know I couldn't sit properly for a couple of days as it is on my back!!! Good luck with it, it'll look fab once all healed.

[cat woman]

Hi MunkeyBoy, I've hade 4 tattoo's done over the last 11 years, and I used Savlon or E45 they healed quite nicely, it took about 2 weeks for them to feel o.k. and they are not blurry.  Whatever you do, dont rub your tattoo which has been said, just pat when drying then apply whichever cream you think is helping you the most.  Good luck.  :-)

[happy_face]

Hi Munkeyboy They say by using Tattoo goo the healing process is a lot quicker and can be as quick as 7 days. It all depends on how quick you body heals itself naturally. Mine is really slow and takes atleast 2 weeks where as my boyfriend only takes about a week. it's alright for you to take showers just try not to get too much water on it but I have one between my boobs where I showered as normal and it looks fine. Once all the scab has come off and you can feel a smooth surface you can submerge in baths. Tattoo goo is the best for tattoos but I can't use as I get an allergic reaction to it, so whenever I have one I use Savlon which is fine too.