Right after your tattoo is complete, the tattoo artist should clean it off, put a layer of some kind of ointment (tattoo artists have their own favorites), and then cover it with a protective gauze or bandage.

After several hours, you should carefully clean it, and apply more ointment. We have used carmex, neosporin, bag balm, and there are certainly other suitable ointments to use. Ask your tattoo artist before the process, so you can stock up on the right goo.

Then, for the next several days, you will want to apply ointment, to keep the tattoo soft, and keep the skin from peeling prematurely. A scab sometimes develops, but usually it is flaking skin, similar to a sunburn. Your tattoo should only hurt for the first day or maybe two. After that, it usually starts itching. Try not to scratch it. Don`t break up the skin cells, if you can help it.

Keep the new tattoo protected from the sun, and in about two weeks, the healing should be complete. After two or three days, you can back off on the ointment to some degree.

If you follow these steps, you`ll have a good experience developing your new tattoo.

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