Taking Care of Your Tattoo over the First Week

Once you get a tattoo, the first week of the healing process will be very crucial. Especially the during the 2nd and 3rd days. Proper care should be done to avoid infection. You might have an idea on how to care for a fresh tattoo. But just to be sure, here are some tips you might want to take note of: 

• Sleeping: One thing most people worry about after they get a tattoo is, "how do I sleep and make sure I don't scratch myself and bleed to death", of course that's exaggerated. Try not to put bandage on your tattoo at home, it needs to breathe so it can heal faster. Some people wrap their tattoos with cling wrap but only when sleeping, to ensure that they avoid scratching it while they're asleep. If in case you decide not to wrap your tattoo while sleeping, and you wake up with the sheets sticking on your tattoo, please don't try to peel it off. Take the sheet with you to the shower and gently wet the area with cool water, then gently remove it from being stuck. 

• Never ever pick scabs. Over the next couple of days, you will be able to notice some scabs forming on your tattoo. This is definitely normal. However, heavy scabbing is out of the ordinary and need to be watched closely. One of the most important things to remember here is that you must not try to pick your scabs, no matter how small it is. Let it fall off on its own over time or during the cleaning process. Picking scabs can scar your skin and ruin your tattoo for the rest of your life. You don’t want that to happen right? Another thing that can happen is your tattoo peeling off while you put an ointment or while you are cleaning it. Remember to clean and put after care solutions gently to avoid ruining your tattoo. Keep your hands clean before applying any ointment or before touching your tattoo. Peeling is also normal and might take about 4 to 10 days. After that, you will be able to see the colours coming back. On the fourteenth day, your tattoo should be fully healed.  

• Clothing: Another big factor you need to consider is your clothing. Your clothing can also affect your healing process. You will need to wear loose fitting clothes depending on where the tattoo placement is. Always remember that your tattoo needs to breathe. Never wear tight fitting clothes especially the ladies. Another issue is that if you continue on wearing tight fitting clothes and it rubs the scab, it might peel off and cause infection. Infection not only slows down the healing process, it can also cause the wound to develop pus. It can cause ugly scarring and light spots on your tattoo.