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rickenbacker13

Why do you come across so many different aftercare techniques? I've seen people who use straight up A&D, to people who swear by plastic wrap with no ointment at all.

It's hard to find the best recommended aftercare sheets because opinions and techniques differ so much between people. What works for you?

Ed Sr · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject:

I think it all comes down to what the person used that the artist learned from then some by what they find works better and some by having gotten medical knowledge in wound care.

devilduckie523 · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:52 pm Post subject:

I actually use both...i put plastic on it and have it taken off in three hours...followed by a&d ointment for three days....then unscented lotion for up to two weeks after flaking occurs

And yes everyone has different healing processes from natural healing to soap and water to tattoo goo

There different because of artists try different healing methods then pass them onto apprentices who adapt their own and so on and so forth

Jayster · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:49 am Post subject:

Also, as you get more tattoos you kind of learn what works best for you.
I've discovered that for me leaving it alone (other than washing it) works the best and heals the fastest.

Jamie · Tattoo lover Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 44

The plastic wrap is a VERY bad idea. It's a pretty old school idea,...but has since been found to promote the propagation of bacteria.

the plastic does not allow air to get in,..creating a perfect hot breeding ground for a multitude of fungi and bacteria. Also,..most plastic wraps are NOT STERILE.

State laws clearly define what methods you must use,....this usually indicates a soft cotton or gauze STERILE bandage.
The wound needs air to properly heal itself and close the skin pores......I literally cringe when I see someone cover a tat with plastic.

My aftercare includes:

-Leave the clean bandage that I have put on for a minimum of 2 hrs. and max of 12 hours.
-DO NOT RE-BANDAGE
-Do not submerge in water for the first 12 hours.
...........too many to list here,......but the idea is that the first couple hours are the most important. The blood has not coagulated yet and the pores are still open to all environmental threats.

my advice would be get some proper first aid/ disease transmission training before practicing this on other people,......things can get really nasty.

devilduckie523 · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:30 am Post subject:

Not to argue...

But I know of many people that use plastic over paper towel..like myself...and the tattoos come out fine and the shop owner of the shop i work at has been using this method(the one I mentioned) for over 20 years..and the tattoos heal just fine and fast....

Jamie · Tattoo lover Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 44

[quote="devilduckie523"]Not to argue...

But I know of many people that use plastic over paper towel..like myself...and the tattoos come out fine and the shop owner of the shop i work at has been using this method(the one I mentioned) for over 20 years..and the tattoos heal just fine and fast....[/quote]

I agree,...A LOT of folks still do it. But recent technology and medical studies have shown that it is not a sanitary practice,...and is now forbidden in many states. At my last DT seminar it was a topic of discussion. Before that,..I always thought it was a coll practice too,..but it really makes sense when you think about it. The blood/plasma and any germs, bacteria,..etc have no place to escape,..and cannot be absorbed,...so they just sit there on top of the wound until it is cleansed,.. and the plastic removed.

I know a lot of the old timers still use the practice,..and thats cool,..because well,..thats how they learned,....but as time moves on,..we try and learn,..and discover new , safer methods.

I wouldn't say a word to another artist , if that's how he does it in his shop,...I'm just trying to share what I've learned recently. Very Happy

devilduckie523 · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:08 pm Post subject:

I completely understand and wasnt trying to argue...

I was just saying...

Another thing that makes a differene is I live in Pa and from what I understand its the most laid back state in the US...maybe the world...to get a tattoo in...

You dont have to be certified or licensed to give tattoos or piercings here its more of a "consumer beware" type of thing...The only time you have to do anything as far as licenses and sanitation is if you own a shop...theres at least one backyard scratcher in almost every neighborhood here

Well Im goign to stop now I almost went off on a rant there lol

Jamie · Tattoo lover Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 44

[quote="devilduckie523"]I completely understand and wasnt trying to argue...

I was just saying...

Another thing that makes a differene is I live in Pa and from what I understand its the most laid back state in the US...maybe the world...to get a tattoo in...

You dont have to be certified or licensed to give tattoos or piercings here its more of a "consumer beware" type of thing...The only time you have to do anything as far as licenses and sanitation is if you own a shop...theres at least one backyard scratcher in almost every neighborhood here

Well Im goign to stop now I almost went off on a rant there lol[/quote]

lol,...not a problem,.....I'm in Louisiana,..we have strict laws about exactly how and what to use for bandaging. Laughing

some of it seems overkill,..but some of it makes sense.

rickenbacker13 · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

Good points. I wouldn't cover fresh tattoos in plastic because you're just asking for it to get infected. You treat it like an open wound, you let it breathe, keep it moist and give it time to heal.

Usually what I do is
-you know, wash it off...get the flecks of blood and plasma off.
-Use lotion at least once an hour to prevent any hard scabs from forming. (tattoo goo, curall, A&D)
-repeat till healed.

Do you think showers are fine? From my understanding they soften up and hard scabs, and then use lotion afterwards to hold it in.

devilduckie523 · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:15 pm Post subject:

Yeah

Unfortuately I have to follow the shop owners aftercare policy. Im going to mention it to him and see what he says, tho Im not expecting much after 20 years hes pretty much set in his ways Confused

Jamie · Tattoo lover Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 44

[quote="devilduckie523"]Yeah

Unfortuately I have to follow the shop owners aftercare policy. Im going to mention it to him and see what he says, tho Im not expecting much after 20 years hes pretty much set in his ways Confused

[/quote]

yea,...best to always do what the shop owner says,...because it is afterall his ass that gets in a sling if something comes up.

for the guys that asked the shower question,...i'll say this,.....

My aftercare sheet says not shower or bath for 12 hours....but ,.....I seldom follow my own instructions,.....it's not uncommon for me to finish a tat on myself,...and go straight to the tub Laughing

on a tat with scabs,...I'd advise not to soak it to the point of making the scabs mushy,.......you could rub them off too soon,..and lose some color/ink. Just use some good judgement,....a quick rinsing probably ain't gonna hurt it,.....but you don't want to over-saturate it.

Jamie · Tattoo lover Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 44

I had these aftercare instructions in my computer,....they are one of my earlier sets,..they have since been modified,.....but I don't have my current sheet in this computer. Feel free to copy or modify,...anyone who wants.....I actually got these off the net somewhere,..and modified them to be in accordance with what I needed.

____________________________________________________________
[b]
Don't disturbe the bandage.[/b]

Your artist took the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason - to keep air-born bacteria from invading your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of two hours, but not more than twelve.

[b]Rinse and Treat[/b]

After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap to gently wash away any ointment, blood and/or plasma and to completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. (If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, you have probably been oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible - when the plasma dries on the skin surface, it creates scabs.)Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of your choice of ointment. A&D vitamin enriched ointment would be my first choice, but if you don't have any, Bacitracin , Triple Antibiotic Ointment or a similar antibacterial ointment is acceptable.
**Do not use Neosporin. This is a wonderful product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos. Some can have an allergic reaction to the Neosporin, which causes little red bumps. When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you end up with a polka-dotted tattoo.**
[b]
Bathing, Showering, Swimming[/b]

Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo. It's OK to get your tattoo wet - just don't soak it. Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so you'll want to avoid those for 1-2 weeks, but showering is perfectly fine as long as you don't saturate your tattoo. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, just remove it quickly with water. Swimming - whether it be a pool, fresh water or salt water - should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.
[b]
Peeling / Scabbing[/b]

After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!