Day 1:

As soon as you get tattooed, the traditional process is to come home with plastic wrap covering the wound, however modern technology such as tagaderm or Ink Guard Spray on Bandage, Generally in most cases, its plastic wrap! it comes off easily. After removing the pack, you might see leaking liquids. Don't be scared or grossed out by this, as this is normal and expected. The liquid is a mixture of plasma, blood, and the extra ink that is inadvertently in our skin. It is recommended that you lightly wash, dab, pat the area of the tattooed skin with luke warm water. (NO SCRATCHING, EXCESSIVE RUBBING OR ANYTHING ABRASIVE) Always use a  high-quality Antibacterial soap, and afterwards be sure to gently pat dry with a paper towel or cloth that absorbs water and moisture.  After all of the moisture is absorbed, keep the area dry for 20 to 25 minutes. As soon as your skin is dry from the wash, you should apply a very small amount of vitamin A & D ointment but be sure to let the area have have plenty of air and ventilation. This process will help your skin recover faster.

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Day 2 & 3:

On your second day, you will see the color of your tattoo becoming dull. Don't worry about the gloss. This looks dull because your skin is gradually recovering. Once the skin is fully healed, you will see that the tattoo with its normal color. in all its glory. However, you may also see scabs forming around the area of the tattooed skin. Washing in the morning and evening speeds up your recovery process. Remember to gently pat dry your skin thoroughly after washing, as this is essential. Apply A & D ointment three to four times a day. Do not apply excessive cream as the scab will become thick, and you will suffocate the wound. This is why it's especially important to use a specific tattoo aftercare cream to help ensure you don't clog your pores and create an overly moist area primed for infection. Apply your tattoo aftercare cream in a small amount three to four times a day. Make sure that you don't over-moisturize your tattoo.

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Day 4 & 6:

On your fourth day, you will see redness fade as the swollen area returns to normal. You may witness slight abrasions around your tattoo area, try your best not to pick your scab, which is very important! Picking a scab will also pull color out, expose the tattoo to infection and can result in permanent scars. Again, if there is any weird redness or swelling arising from the area, consult your tattoo artist.  

Gently apply ONLY A & D ointment once or twice a day to speed up the recovery process.

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Day 7-14

While the sixth day is over, the scabs become hard and begin to peel off by themselves. Do not take the scab, as this can lead to exfoliation of the inked area and leave a permanent scar. While the skin itches, it’s safe to apply A & D ointment or Aquaphor so it has the nutrients it needs to recover faster.

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Day 15-30

Now that you have reached the point where you see your tattooed area completely recovered from the outside, you should remember that the bottom layer of your skin still needs some recovery. Apply the A&D or Aquaphor further and clean it with antibacterial soap and clean paper towel to ensure that your skin condition returns to normal. By the end of the fourteenth day, almost all flakes will have disappeared and you will have an area of dead skin that you will need to clean from time to time. The skin can still look dry and you need to moisturize your skin with the A & D Cream. In the second and third week, you will see the outer layer of your skin completely recovered, but it will be the end of the third week when you will see the color of the tattoo become vivid and bright.

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THINGS TO AVOID DURING THE TATTOO RECOVERY PROCESS

• Avoid touching the tattooed skin area

• Avoid wearing clothing that may cause excessive rubbing to the area during the recovery process

• Avoid exposure to the sun, especially in the first month after getting a new tattoo

• Avoid submerging the area of your tattooed skin in water for at least 2 weeks

• Avoid touching the area of your skin, even if it is itchy, applying A&D ointment or aquaphor can help alleviate itchiness

• Avoid removing the plastic for the first few hours

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A detailed description of your tattoo care is mentioned above. However, when it comes to the tattoo recovery process, the rate of a tattoo recovery can vary depending on the condition of the skin and the specific area of your body where you have inked yourself. Each skin has a different degree of sensitivity, which contributes to the recovery process of a fresh tattoo. It is important to note that the recovery process also varies from person to person, as a person's skin condition and type can be very different from one another. So don't compare your recovery process to one of your tattooed friends. Tattoos are painful. Before you get tattooed, understand that some areas are more painful and sensitive than others. Eat a nutritious meal before your get tattooed and avoid alcohol, controlled substances and coffee 24 hours leading up to your tattoo appointment. In the picture below, the various body parts are described with a pain indicator that describes how much pain you have to endure when getting tattooed in that spot. But don't be scared of the pain factor, because the greatest pain you have to endure is negligible and some of people even find it tickling rather than painful. Tattooists sometimes use a tattoo numbing cream ort attoo numbing spray for some clients that are sensitive to the pain, although some tattoo enthusiasts believe pain is a ritual of passage and numbing products should not be used. Overall, your tattoo experience may vary, but most artists are very accommodating will be there to get you thru it.