Immediately after your tattoo
Take the plastic wrap off two hours after getting tattooed. Wash the area gently with warm water and antibacterial soap for the first two days. Pat the skin dry with a clean paper towel. Never use cotton wool or a bathroom towel, because loose fibers stick to fresh skin and drag bacteria into open needle marks.
Daily cleaning and moisturizing
Put a thin layer of fragrance-free tattoo cream on the area three to four times a day for the first three weeks, then keep moisturizing through week six. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the tattoo. Keep the skin hydrated, but don't over-apply. A light film is plenty; drowning the skin in ointment clogs pores and pulls out pigment.
What to avoid while healing
Stay completely out of chlorinated pools, hot tubs, and open water for the first six weeks. Skip sunbathing and tanning beds for at least twelve weeks. You can use high-SPF sunscreen once the skin has closed after six weeks, but applying sunblock earlier irritates the wound and risks patchy healing.
Products to keep off fresh skin
Keep alcohol, perfumed lotions, and harsh soaps away from the tattoo while it heals. Scented chemicals irritate raw tissue and cause premature fading. Don't use numbing creams or thick petroleum jellies over healing work, because heavy ointments trap moisture and displace settling ink.
Daily habits and pets
Keep dogs and cats away from the tattooed skin, and put clean sheets on your bed the night you get home. Hold off on heavy gym workouts and intense cardio during the first week. Heavy sweating forces fresh ink out of open pores and introduces gym bacteria to a healing surface.
