Once your tattoo is complete the tattoo artist will tell you the best way to take care of your new tattoo and it is probably a good idea to listen to him. Most shops will have an information sheet listing care instructions. There are three things to remember about caring for your new tattoo, moisturize it but do not over moisturize it and most importantly, NEVER pick at the scabs as they begin to form.
If you choose to do otherwise and neglect these rules, you run the risk of getting infected and you also run the risk of ruining your new tattoo. As long as you keep to these bits of advice, you should be alright. Forget what other people say about taking care of new tattoos and only stick to the rules which are known to work.
Some people love to mix up the rules a bit after they have gotten their first tattoos and they decide to get another one, they change the rules. Whether in the past you used something that gave you a reaction or not, instead of changing the rules without asking questions, you should contact the tattoo artist and see what to use instead.
Unfortunately, the recommended ways of properly taking care of your new tattoo will vary from artist to artist which can often be confusing. One may tell you to apply Neosporin several times a day whereas another may suggest that you powder your bed before getting into it (this avoids you sticking to the sheet), a mild baby soap to wash the tattoo, baby lotion to moisturize the skin, and diaper rash cream to apply to any areas that might rub against the bra, waist of pants, socks, etc.
Certain other individuals will suggest that you use a number of different ointments and lotions. Some will say that the Tea Tree Oil (toner) from the Body Shop is the best because of its healing powers or that the cheapest form of tattoo treatment is Vaseline Intensive Care.
If you stay in an area that is dry the chances are that you’ll be using a lot of lotion anyway so you can opt for a large pump bottle of lotion in order to get the best bargain. This will help you forestall any problems and take proper care of your tattoo.
Varying opinions are held from one studio to the other when it comes to the issue of body art healing and this can become rather confusing. Despite this fact, there are many legitimate reasons why so many differences in opinion exist. Some of the means through which you can take care of your tattoo have been covered already and there are many other options such as ointments and lubes designed simply for tattoos but most of them are really just commercial versions of most products listed above.
There is a reasonable answer to the question of why so many ways are listed in which to take care of tattoos; the thing is that this is mostly due to the various advances in technology and the fact that the products have become widely available on the market. Petroleum jelly used to be rather popular until people discovered that such jelly usually affected the color of the tattoos and they didn’t provide any help in terms of healing properties.
