First of all - it typically takes four to five weeks for a tattoo to heal into the stage where you don't have to clean it and keep it moist as much as before! You should plan on caring for your tattoo during this period!
Taking good care of your new tattoo is important to avoid inflammation, scarring, and other infections - all thing we don't like on a tattoo.
Treat it well and it will heal up great :)
For how long - you say?
The healing process for a tattoo is individual and depends on your skin type, the complexion of the tattoo and how you treat it. but to ease it out, here’s some basic guidelines.
A brand new tattoo !
After getting tattooed the tattoo is usually covered the with plastic film. Sometimes i'll recommend to keeping the film on for 3-4 hours, while others times it might be suggested to leaving it on for up to 24 hours. Each tattoo is a unique piece so they all need different treatment - basicly, it depends on the tattoo size and complexity...
When it's time to remove the dressing!
– wash your hands with warm water and soap, then gently remove the film. Rinse the tattoo carefully with semi-warm soapy water to wash away any excess ink and blood.
Let the tattoo air dry or gently pat it dry with a clean / unused towel.
The first week or two!
During the first week, rinse the tattoo (the open wound) 2-3 times a day. The scabs should ideally fall off on their own, so remember to be gentle.
So - no scratching!
The healing process!
When the skin begins to heal use fat ointments to prevent dryness. Avoid tight clothing on a fresh tattoo, such as bra straps, waistband edges, and pants that rub against the skin.
The less irritation your tattoo experiences, the better the healing process.
For the first two weeks after getting a tattoo, you should avoid swimming, sunlight, and movements that stretch the skin. After that, always use sunscreen on your tattoo, as sunlight can fade the color....
