The ten days after acquiring a tattoo are extremely crucial not only from a health perspective but for the long term look of your artwork.  While I have touched upon aftercare in prior articles (see 'Education is the Key') the topic is so important it bears it's own discussion.  Recent articles in our newspapers have pointed out the levels of bacteria (MRSA for one) in our sand, soil and ocean waters.  My brethren in the industry all bemoan the fact that clients repeatedly fail to follow the instructions given by the professionals.    

While there are nearly as many aftercare regiments as there are studios I hope to offer a guideline on what is generally accepted as proper. I want to emphasis though that following the specific aftercare of the person you have trusted with your skin and health (you DID seek a professional, right?) maintains your 'warranty' with that studio.  I will be happy to field questions if your tattooer tells you something that conflicts with what I have learned through training from tattoo advocate Dr. Kris Sperry, Chief Pathologist for the state of Georgia and various other medical professionals.  Please don't abandon any instructed aftercare without consulting the person who applied your tattoo.

Acquiring a quality tattoo is a multi-step process.  Deciding on images, choosing a professional that matches your style and your personality, sitting through one or maybe more sessions...whew!  But the process isn't complete until YOU take the necessary steps to ensure that your tattoo heals properly.  Once you walk out of the tattoo studio doors the responsibility for the life long look of your art depends on YOU following to the letter the aftercare instructions given to you!

GENERAL PROCEDURE:

Upon completion of a tattoo (or session if it is a multi-step piece)  your tattooer will apply a generous amount of either A & D or vaseline to your piece.  This acts as a sealant to keep your body fluids from seeping out.   Your skin has been 'attacked' and the body is sending in it's defenses to begin healing.  Most of what will seep is clear fluid...but it also will contain small amounts of blood. In accordance to Standard Precautions any body fluids may contain blood borne pathogens so it is important that you are careful in what you touch and what touches you.

It is imperative that the tattoo is covered with an absorbant material.   If your tattooer comes at you with plastic wrap....STOP THEM IMMEDIATELY.  I've written an entire column on the problems with this cheap, unprofessional practice so I won't get on my soapbox again but for this brief review.  With an absorbant bandage your body fluids will be contained and prevent the danger of contaminating others.

You will be instructed on when to remove this bandaging and how to wash the area.  Gently remove the coating of petroleum product and NEVER use it again on your tattoo!  Never!  From Dr. Sperry's mouth...all that is needed to properly heal a tattoo is moisturization from a quality lotion.  'LOTION' is the key word.  Not ointment, not antibacterial creams, LOTION. 

Taking proper care of this tattoo may require some really close friends!

Showers are fine...keep your tattoo clean!  Don't power scrub it with washcloths or other shower tools.  Your hand and soapy water will suffice.  There may be bits of pigment that come off.  Don't panic!  That is quite normal.  Don't help them come off by hard scrubbing or picking!!  Unless you are washing or applying lotion KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF YOUR TATTOO.  Always wash your hands prior to apply your lotion.  We pick up bacteria from nearly everything we touch so take steps not to transfer that bacteria to your open wound.

And that is what a tattoo really is...an open wound.  How would you treat a knee scrap?  Would you scrub it, coat it with vaseline?  Heavens no!  So don't treat your tattoo like that!

I just fielded a call from a New York tourist who had problems with her new tattoo.  My first comment was 'Do you have your aftercare sheet'  Yes, she replied.  I asked what she was doing for her tattoo.  'I coat it with vaseline everyday'  OMG!  She couldn't have been doing anything worse!   I asked her to read me the DON'T DO section of the aftercare sheet...and what did it say?  DO NOT USE ANY VASELINE OR PETROLEUM PRODUCT ON YOUR TATTOO.  Yikes!  She had been coating her tattoo with this stuff daily and huge hard scabs resulted.  Then she also admitted to pulling these scabs off prematurely.  Sorry, Ms. NY, but your tattoo is jacked up.  Fixable?  It depends on what scars resulted from the picking.

You should keep your tattoo clean and lotioned for 7 to 10 days.  When you can run your clean hand over your tattoo and feel no difference in skin you can stop the lotion regiment.

During this time it is imperative that you stay out of the sun, sand, soil, ocean water and swimming pools.  Remember that bacteria is present everywhere around us!  Even our beautiful vast ocean has pollutants so no, salt water is NOT an option!  The sun can damage a fresh tattoo by blowing out the lines and leaving you with a nice fuzzy image.  The UV rays will actually begin to break down the pigment molecules and allow the body system to 'remove' them through the blood stream.

At about the 8-10 day healing stage your tattoo will take on a cloudy appearance.  Color will seem very light, black will have a hazy appearance.  NORMAL!!  The top layer of your skin is back in place and is in it's final healing stage.  In just a day or two it becomes translucent again and BAM! there's that tattoo back intact!

Full healing of the tattoo may take 6 weeks or longer.  As we tell clients it's got to 'cook thoroughly'.  Only at this time should any touch ups or corrections be done.  Attempts prior to this time frame can result in scarring and lifelong damage to the skin.  Be patient!

Your professional tattooist will give you not only verbal and written instructions but should be available to answer any and all questions during this healing time period.  Your friends will have all sorts of advice they got from the guy who saw a fella get a tattoo in a garage once and of course this makes them an authority....PLEASE just smile, nod and continue the practices your professional tattooer has given you!  

It's really hard to be civil when a client calls with a problem and upon discussion learn that they have wandered off the path as we have directed and are doing crazy things to their tattoo.  I've fielded comments about clients using Prep H (we know where that belongs and it ain't on a tattoo!) and even...oh, put your coffee down...mayonnaise!  Mayo!  On a tattoo??  Oh, boy!  (see that coffee would have shot out your nose, right?) 

Take your artwork serious.  Work with a licensed professional in a properly inspected studio.  Ask questions, get answers and FOLLOW THEM.  Your tattoo will love you for it!

Again, I condemn any tattoo equipment vendors who might appear to the right on this page.  Tattooing is not a 'kit' kinda thing and should only be done in the hands of trained professionals who underwent an apprenticeship program.

SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS.  PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE TO FIX FERAL ANIMALS!  STOP THE PET OVERPOPULATION THE RIGHT WAY!!