Caring for a new tattoo properly for the first several weeks is critical to maintaining the appearance and health of the artwork. Because of the way the ink is applied, a fresh tattoo is an open wound, and must be allowed to heal properly. Improper care can result in scarring or loss of pigment. Tattoo aftercare is a multiple-step process, but an important element in that process is learning how to take a shower with a new tattoo. Showering correctly will help your tattoo heal quickly and maintain its appearance. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster if the proper aftercare is not taken.

The bandage should be removed after 4 to 6 hours. This will allow your skin to breathe, which is essential for the tattoo's healing. Showering with this bandage still in place can soak the bandage and hold too much water against your tattoo.

Clean your tattoo with mild soap and water. After removing the bandage, your tattoo will likely be covered with adhesive, ointment, and dried blood. This mixture should be washed away before you shower.

Dial tends to be too harsh - generic brand antibacterial soaps are actually better) to gently wash away any ointment, blood and/or plasma and to completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. (If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, you have probably been oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible - when the plasma dries on the skin surface, it creates scabs.) Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of your choice of ointment.

Take a shower with your new tattoo
For the first week or so - and especially the first day - after getting your new tattoo, you will need to follow specific rules in the shower. Run your shower with cool or lukewarm water. This is helpful for 2 reasons: it prevents the stinging pain that hot water would cause on your fresh tattoo, and it prevents your pores from opening too wide. Hot water will cause your skin's pores to open, which can lead to loss of pigment. As an added precaution, consider running cold water indirectly over your fresh tattoo for the last 30 seconds of your shower to close your pores.

Do not allow the stream of water to hit your tattooed skin directly. When rinsing, let the water wash over your tattoo indirectly. This will help prevent scarring or puckering of your skin.

Take as brief a shower as possible. Your tattoo will heal better if it is minimally exposed to steam, water, and soap. Hold your tattooed skin out of the water as much as possible during the shower.

Dry off after showering with your tattoo
After showering, you should dry your tattoo as quickly as possible. Using a clean towel, gently pat your tattooed skin dry. Do not use a rubbing motion, and do not allow your tattoo to slowly air dry. Dry the rest of your body as usual.

Scabbing and Peeling
After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. Excessive scabbing could indicate a poorly-done tattoo, but a little is sometimes normal and there is no need to panic. Apply warm moist compresses to the scabs for about 5 minutes 2-3 times a day to soften them and they will eventually come off on their own. (Do not apply ointment or lotion to a softened scab - wait for it to dry) You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!

Protection from the sun
After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always want to protect it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sunblock. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years, and it will continue to be a source of great pride.

Leaking Plasma During The Healing Time

For the first few days, 3-4, your new tattoo will ooze a little bit of plasma discharge. It will leak out and try and harden into a scab. Your body is recognizing an open wound and trying to close it off with white blood cells and lymph.

Always wash your tattoo gently, blot dry, and air out prior to adding more ointment. You only need a little bit a few times a day. You are trying to keep it from drying out not keeping it moist. DO NOT OVERDO IT!!!
After a few days, you should notice the tattoo starting to flake when you put on the ointment. At this point you will want to switch over to a fragrant-free lotion for the remainder of the healing process.

Don't:

-Use too much ointment on your tattoo
-Wisely choose your ointment *only recommended by your artist
-Certain ointments tend to cause more leakage on some people than others - ease up on whatever you're using. You should only be adding a tiny amount, barely enough to give the tattoo a bit of a shine. If it feels wet after application, you're using way too much. If decreasing the amount doesn't help, stop the ointment altogether and switch to another product or just keep your tattoo clean and forget the ointment for a couple days and then switch to lotion.

If your tattoo is hot to the touch, very red, and/or oozing something thick that is yellow or green, or has a foul odor, these are signs of infection and you should see a doctor immediately.

What to Expect
Your tattoo might produce small amounts of blood and plasma for 24 to 48 hours especially on tattoos that have a lot of color or tribal. Make sure to wash this off 3 or 4 times a day and apply lotion after washing.
The healing process usually takes between 2-3 weeks, but can vary from person to person.

Wear old, but clean clothing over tattoo when going to bed to avoid leaking plasma on sheets. This will also prevent your tattoo from becoming stuck to the sheets. If your tattoo sticks to your clothes, dampen with warm water to loosen.

Your tattoo might peel in 4 to 5 days. It will flake like a mild sunburn and there will be pigment in the skin that peels off. You might have some soreness and swelling for anywhere from 3 to 5 days.

Tattoos on the hands and feet might peel twice. After the first time it peels, you will have a whitish film over the tattoo. This will peel off in a few days. Remember, we do not guarantee tattoos on hands and feet, so take care of them to lessen the chances of requiring a touch-up!

When your tattoo is healed, you might notice a spot here or there that needs to be touched-up. If so, let the tattoo heal completely for at least six weeks before scheduling a touch-up with your tattoo artist.
After it is healed, dry skin will cause the tattoo to look dull. To brighten the colors up, use lotion daily.

To extend the life and brightness of your tattoo, always apply SPF 35 or higher sunscreen over your tattoo before going outdoors.