Need advice on Tattoo aftercare.

[buddha]

OK, I have a number of tatts but it has been a long time since I got any new ink. I've done some online research and the quantity of aftercare products available nearly caused me to slide over into a parallel universe and resort to cannibalism.

What I seek with this topic is experiences that my sly bros/siss have had with aftercare products. One that I saw that looked interesting is called "h2Ocean" which has 3 products in it; soap, lotion, and a vitamin enriched color protectant/invisible bandage for prevention of infection.

This stuff has really evolved (or has it?) from the olden days when I got my first ink and the old tattoo goo that came in a small can and felt like lip balm. Or maybe they're just trying to confuse me.

I am going through this pain because I'm getting an old tatt covered up that I got years ago just to get some ink. I have an artist modifying a design that I pulled off the web to make it mine (so to speak) and he's supposed to e-mail me the finished product when he's done. When I get it I'm making an appointment with the shop (Expressions, Ink in Wausau, WI) which is highly rated in any of the ratings sites I have found.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[stemikger]

Hey Buddha, I just recently got a new Tatt 7 months ago and a 33 year old tatt completely redone.

The artist I went to who has an amazing reputation and really does great work, told me not spend a lot of money on those products.  He gave me page which basically told me to put bacitracin on for two days and then use soap and water after that and Curel non-scented lotion until it heals.

They healed great and the aftercare was extremely simple.

Hope this helped.

[buddha]

That was one of the things I read online. The lotions that most of the writers recommended are unscented/natural color. If I go that way I'm sure it would be wise to go high-end.

[Mikekoz13]

Buddha-

Go to WalMart and get a small tube of Aquaphor for about $3-$4. It's what my artist recommends and both my wife and I have used it for all of our tattoos.

Just remember... less is better. A VERY thin coat...........

[stemikger]

Posted by Ta2guyThere are more opinions about tattoo after-care than there are a-holes. I tried Tattoo Goo brand stuff when it first came out: really nasty IMO. I always wash with antibacterial soap in a very hot shower, then use a very small amount of A&D ointment for about two days, then small amount of Jergens Ultra Healing for the rest of my life.

Another highly recommended after-care method is known as LITFA: Leave It The F*** Alone.

For my money I would take Ta2guy's advice. 

[PigPen]

When I got my most recent tat the artist recommended AquaPhor, mentioned by Koz. Each artist has their own method when it comes to after care. The artist I saw also recommended washing the tat twice daily with hot water and anti-bacterial soap. I would go with what the artist tells you.

[Mikekoz13]

When I got my most recent tat the artist recommended AquaPhor, mentioned by Koz. Each artist has their own method when it comes to after care. The artist I saw also recommended washing the tat twice daily with hot water and anti-bacterial soap. I would go with what the artist tells you.

This is exactly my routine with new tats.......

[deadohsky]

Kind of late on this one, but ever since i got my first one it has been simple after care.  Wash twice a day with unscented soap and twice a day with curel unscented lotion.  Has worked perfectly for all of mine.

[GASlick]

I was told to wash gently, pat dry and put a small amount of A&D ointment on it until it healed.
Worked for me.

[Stormin Norm]

Try Pears soap (it stinks a bit) and rub in Polysporin after each wash.