Take good care of the new ink

[soothsayer]

Last night before I went to bed I put some ointment on my new tattoo and then wrapped it in generic plastic wrap. One, to keep the ointment on and two to not get said ointment all over me and my bed sheets. When I woke up this morning the first thing I did was look at my arm and all I seen was black ink under the plastic wrap and I freaked out.

I ran to the bathroom to gently wash it off hoping the tatt was still intact (I was half awake) and was relieved when I saw it was ok. It's been a while since I got one so moments like this are gonna catch me off guard. Thankfully all is well. Just thought I'd share that with anyone. :laughing

[lullaby1031]

Heh, I know those freak out moments when it comes to tattoos. I had the one on my shoulder get f-ed up @ work cuz one of their lights had fallin down above my head and left this huge scratch all the way across the tattoo. I was livid. Its hard enough trying to keep it from catching on undergarments, that just was the last straw. I still have yet to get it touched up - really don't want to either cuz if there's a scar there - it's just going to look like a terrible bleed through. Glad things are all well!

[soothsayer]

Ow I'm so sorry that happened to one of your tatts. I know what you mean about being ultra mega careful with 'em. I would have been livid too had I been in your shoes. I have a small scar on one of mine and I hope it'll cover good enough when I get it touched up. Thanks for the well wishes. =)

[DarkenedCharm]

Soothsayer, an important suggestion...Take it as you will.

I would DEFINITELY not wrap your new tattoo in plastic wrap for ANY length of time! The plastic wrap they wrap you in at the shop is MORE than enough. That is meant to get you home and that is it. I don't even do that. When you do, you allow your tattoo to get too much moisture, therefore it will not heal correctly. You NEVER want your tattoo too moist. Don't let it dry out, true enough. But you cannot let it get too moist, either. I don't even get it wet in the shower, unless it is the last few minutes of my shower and time to care for my tattoo. Fresh tattoos need air.

My aftercare methods:

I never use any wax or petroleum based ointments or cremes. (BTW - Side note...The ointment they sell in tattoo shops called Tattoo Goo will DESTROY a new tattoo. Steer clear!)

I get home with my fresh tattoo, and wash it off lightly with antibacterial soap (Dial is the best I have found.). I pat the tattoo dry with the softest towel I can find. When dry, I use a perfume and dye free hand lotion and gently cover the entire tattoo. I repeat this procedure every 90 to 120 minutes until healed.

As I said, take my advice as you will, or ignore it. It's your choice. Just my two cents.

[TomCat]

DarkenedCharm is correct. keep the tattoo moist with A & D ointment, and let it breathe, this will accelerate healing and prevent excessive bleed-through of the ink and associated lengthened healing time!

When sleeping, try not to toss n turn too much and try to keep it exposed to the air as much as is practical. Lube it up good before sleepy time.

[ManicQueen]

DarkenedCharmed and TC are right.. using plastic wrap is bad news. Use the A & D ointment too, it works the best. I heard some lotions work too but I've never tried them as of yet.

Back when I got my forarm's tattooed, I remember waking up in the morning with my face stuck to my arm.. it was nasty cuz I had to scrub my face to get all the chunks of skin off.. I'm just glad they healed good.

B~

[soothsayer]

All info is noted. Thank you. =)

[TomCat]

when are we going to see some pics?? LOL

[soothsayer]

Since I do not currently have access to a digital camera most will prolly see it in person before I get any pictures of it.

[lullaby1031]

You guys want to hear something so Stupid?! This guy I used to work with went and had flames put on up his forearms - he would PICK at the scabs and wouldn't put any ointment on it at all. When I went to hand him some one day a lunch, he said "Nope, my tattooist said not to" I said "Are you flippin mad?! All your color is going to look faded and uneven?!" Kid left it and it looked like total shit. Now if anyone knows about "LEAVING" it alone say something, but last I knew from personal tat experiences you where to have it covered lightly with A&D ointment. I just thought that was a waste of a possible good ink job. I've never heard of this way of tattooing and I personally think whomever it was didn't like him much (which was understandable).

[soothsayer]

LET THE ITCHING BEGIN!!! OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW

OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW

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OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW

OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW

OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW

OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW

OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW

[lullaby1031]

Ouch - don't touch it!

[soothsayer]

I was trying to illistraight a point. :whistling

[lullaby1031]

:doh I don't pay attention sometimes, but yea point taken

[soothsayer]

I read what you had posted ~ something to the effect of calling me a drama queen. :laughing

I knew you didn't mean it that way.

[Soulrev]

Yeah make sure you wash it a lot too.. If you have the time and you can manage to wash it like once an hour or so, you'll be good.. Washing it keeps it clean (obviously) and helps prevent scabbing.. Scabs, although impossible to prevent, if you TRY to prevent them your tattoos will look much better in the end. Scabs tend to take away some of the color.. Also washing it and using plain, unscented lubriderm will help it heal much much faster..

[lullaby1031]

LOL me imply that?! never! j.k So when do we get to see pics!