A new tattoo is an open wound.
How you care for it over the next two weeks decides how clean and bright it heals. Your artist may give you instructions for your specific piece. When they do, follow theirs first.
The first few hours
Leave the wrap or bandage on for as long as your artist tells you.
Wash your hands before you touch the tattoo.
Remove the wrap gently. If it sticks, wet it with lukewarm water until it lifts.
Washing
Wash the tattoo gently with unscented antibacterial soap and lukewarm water once or twice a day.
Use your clean hand, not a washcloth or sponge.
Keep it out of the direct stream of the shower.
Pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub.
Moisturizing
Once the tattoo is dry, apply a thin layer of unscented, water-based lotion once or twice a day.
Skip petroleum-based products like petroleum jelly. They can fade the ink.
A thin layer is enough. The skin should look matte, not shiny or greasy.
Long-term care
Once your tattoo heals, sunscreen keeps it sharp. Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher whenever the tattoo will be in the sun.
What to avoid until it heals
Pools, hot tubs, lakes, and the ocean. Do not soak the tattoo in a bath.
Direct sun and tanning beds.
Tight clothing that rubs or sticks to the tattoo.
Picking or scratching scabs and flakes. Let them fall off on their own.
When to call a doctor
Contact a healthcare provider if you see spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus-like drainage, or a fever. A board-certified dermatologist should check any skin reaction or change in a tattoo, whether it shows up right away or years later.
Sources
Mayo Clinic, Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions
American Academy of Dermatology, How to care for tattooed skin
Mayo Clinic, Piercings: How to prevent complications
