Tattoos

Next to Justin Bieber, getting a tattoo seems to be on almost every adolescent's mind these days, but how many of you actually know how to take care of your spankin'-new tattoo?

I, for one, always believe that you should NEVER get a tattoo without doing your homework on tattoo after-care. 

Getting a tattoo is a BIG deal, I tell you: BIG. When you present your artwork to the tattooist, you should know your tattoo care like the back of your palm. So, four tattoos later, here's my interpretation of what tattoo care should be like:

1. Hands off - I know you've just got a butterfly inked to your shoulder and it's probably so pretty you just cannot wait to show it off, but the tattooist covered up your tattoo for a reason: to keep air-borne bacteria from invading your wound. So yes, leave that bandage alone.
2. Wash - Use lots of warm water and mild anti-bacterial soap the first time around. Avoid using anything abrasive like a washcloth. This is the time you should make use of your fingers. 
3. Apply ointment - Now isn't the best time to be scrimping on a good antibacterial ointment: tattooist would recommend the original Rosken skin repair, but the scabbing appeared terrible and lasted for days. When I got my next tattoo done, he recommended Bepanthen, and it didn't even peel or scab.
4. The itch - smack lightly with the tip of your finger if the itch becomes unbearable. Don't scratch or peel or do whatever it is you do that would abrade the surface of the tattoo for fear of infection or getting an unintentionally two-toned tattoo.
5. No hot tubs, no chlorine-infested pools, no shaving over the surface of the tattoo until it's completely healed, no sunblock or exposure to direct sunlight. Oh, and none of those artificial tanning beds either.

So, yes, getting a tattoo done without doing your homework is like hooking up with a guy and not knowing that he's an ax murderer who intends to bury you in a shallow grave after he's done with you: A GRAVE MISTAKE (pun intended).

Good luck, and I'm looking forward to hearing YOUR version of tattoo care  :)

P/S: Just FYI, here's what Bepanthen looks like:

Photo taken from here