I just got a new tattoo and I have a few questions!?

Question

Hello! I just got my first tattoo (located on my ankle, about the size of a coin) 3 days ago and so I have a few questions.

1. How long do I apply the aftercare cream for-do I use it until my tattoo is fully healed?

2. How do I know that my tattoo is healing-When do I know that its fully healed?

3. What is meant by silver skin? (My tattoo artist said that after two weeks, the scabbing is replaced by silver skin).

4. How long will the area be bumpy for?

5. Right now I'm washing my tattoo with only water using my fingers (this was recommended by my tattoo artist) whilst using the aftercare cream 3-5 a day- When is it safe to wash the area with a mild soap?

Sorry for all these questions. I just don't want anything to go wrong with my first tattoo! I appreciate it very much! Thank you!

Answer 1

1. i apply aftercare until it starts to peel, then switch to a scent free lotion. First time this took two weeks, this time (i went for a full touch up) it's peeling within a week.



2. You'll be able to see the progress of your healing. From scabs to peeling to silver skin to normal.



3. during the healing process, after you epidermis has pushed out any excess ink, the skin is slightly thicker and as a result, tattoos look faded for a short while.



4. It should smooth in a maximum of three weeks.



5. you can wash the area with soap once all the scabs have come off. If you have a scent free antibacterial soap (preferably liquid) you can wash it, but the ointment will keep it germ free so for now you don't need to worry about it.



Hope that helps. any other questions, feel free to get in touch.

Answer 2

First off - your tattoo artist should have explained all of this to you, especially if this is your first tattoo. If you decide to ever get another, go someplace that will spend time on you and explain everything - after all, tattoos are permanent and you deserve to be happy with it.



That said, let's see if I can help you.

1. It's different depending on the product. Most recommend using them for 2-3 weeks, but if you want to ensure bright colors and a smoother tattoo (smoother meaning not as raised up as many tattoos get, which is perfectly normal and has to do with the way you scar, not the tattoo) I would go ahead and use till all the scabbing is healed.



2. It is healed when all the scabs have fallen off ON THEIR OWN (never pick at a tattoo, if you pick off a scab and it starts to bleed, there is a chance that the skin with the ink in that area will be pulled off with the scab and you will have a blank spot in your tattoo) and the skin is no longer tender. If it is on your ankle, avoid shaving the area until the scabs are gone.



3. I'm not completely sure what he meant by "silver skin". What he might be referring to is the time when the skin is starting to scar and can be kind of dry and get a strange appearance over the top that can have a sort of sheen, like it metallic. But I'm not sure. You could probably google it.



4. That depends on your skin. That might just be the hair growing in under the scabs and should go away when the scabs go away. It might take until the tattoo is fully healed.



5. I start washing my tattoos with gentle, unscented, usually antibacterial hand soap the next day, three times a day, followed by tattoo-cream or neosporin. But if your artist recommended differently, then I would follow his directions, I'm sure he has a reason for recommending this. I would call him and ask when he recommends starting to wash it. If you don't want to, then wait until it scabs over.



I hope this helps! Some other advice: always always always wear sunscreen on your tat, the sun is ink's enemy. It can cause fading and discoloration over time. Also, most tattoo places give free touch-ups after a month or so, when the scabs are off and you can see if some of the color is uneven or there are empty spots (which is not uncommon), all you should have to pay for is the ink (relatively inexpensive) and a tip. If your artist did not offer this, I would call and ask because if they're a good studio, they should. Think of your tat like a scar, because that's what it essentially is. It has all the side effects of a scar - possible stretching, and sensitivity, etc. Enjoy your first tattoo and congratulations.

Answer 3

I'm covered in tattoo's and I am also an apprentice in a tattoo shop. It all really depends on two factors, where your getting the tattoo and your tolerance to pain. I have seen people get tattoo's in highly sensitive places ie: chest, top of the foot, hip, or any other bony area, and be perfectly fine. I have also seen grown burly men whine and moan getting a itty bitty tattoo on a less sensitive area such as the upper arm. It just depends. For me personally the most painful area I have tattooed are the top part of my feet. I also have a large tattoo on my chest and it wasn't bad at all. I do have a very high pain tolerance though and rather enjoy the dull pain of a tattoo gun. In my opinion the worst part of getting a tattoo is how long it takes and having to sit still for so long. That's just me though. Most of my tattoo's are detailed and have taken at least 3 hours to complete per session. I would say that the your tattoo experience will most likely be a bit uncomfortable at most. The upper arm is very cushy (not much bone) and you will probably have to have your arm at an awkward angle which will be more unpleasant than the actual needle piercing your flesh. I personally have a 1/4 sleeve and that was the worst part for me, holding my arm at a strange angle for a few hours. Congrats on your future ink. You won't regret it. Oh and also, keep in mind that when they use black ink, they have to use thicker needles so if your going to have lots of black in the tattoo, it may twinge a bit more.

Answer 4

Do current aftercare for your tattoo. This is a great video about the best aftercare with explanations:

http://www.luckyfish.com/pages/articles/tattoocare.htm

this is an article about aftercare contradictions:

http://tattoo.about.com/cs/tatfaq/a/aftrcr_cntrdctn.htm

Do the best that you can for as long as it takes.

1.antibacterial soap

2.pat dry with clean paper towels

3.air dry a bit

4.apply a light coating of Lubriderm or Curel (if you use ointment, switch to lotion after 3 days.

5. pat off any seepage/ink transfer with clean paper towels



Do not use: petroleum products, anything with lanolin, no scents or dyes, no Neosporin, no direct streams of water, no soaking, no bandages, no saran or cling wrap (past getting home from the tattoo parlor 1 - 2 hrs), no rubbing, no scratching, no picking, no sunlight, no sunblock until completely healed, and then sunblock for life.



Your tattoo goes through phases: red, swollen, itchy, milky/filmy, shiny (silver), peeling, scabby, etc. - don't judge it until it is healed.

luck~