TATTOO SEARCH

I can't even count the number of ways I've heard of to take care of a new tattoo. I usually recommend leaving the bandage on for four hours, then removing it, gently washing the tattoo with mild soap, and then finally applying some kind of aftercare product like Lubriderm twice a day until it's healed. Always wash your hands before applying anything.

Aftercare depends a lot on climate, time of year, and what your artist has done for you, so be prepared for different instructions for each tattoo. The one I've just outlined is my all purpose, non-specialzed one, but if you have dry skin, oily skin, its hot as hell outside or whatever, it could be different.

Oily skin is prone to hair folicle infection, so a very light aftercare regiment is called for. Dry skin, maybe A and D, an ointment. If its hot outside A and D will plug the pores so maybe only at night or not at all.

There are several things that are bad for healing tattoos. Tanning is no good. Neither is hot-tubbing. Remember a jacuzzi is basically a crotch frappuccino. Direct sunlight is bad. Don't pick or scratch. Most of the time nowdays the process is so mild that afterwards the tattoo feels like a mild sunburn, but bacteria can still grab on, just like any cut or scratch. The prime vectors here are pet fur and dander, trips to the river and the beach, and touching the tattoo with unwashed hands. Old aftercare products pulled out of the back of the medicine cabinet are bad. Don't put rubbing alcohol or aloe on a tattoo. If you have a question, call your tattoo shop.

Here are some other good aftercare plans. Amy Cole, a kick-ass tattooer at Tigerlily Tattoo, recommends a minimum bandage time of six hours, then two days of triple antibiotic ointment allowed to penetrate for 15 minutes, patted dry and then followed by lubriderm till healed.

My old pal Peter Archer runs Temple Tattoo. He's a world traveler with a personal collection that spans several continents. This dude actually got his chest done by some kind of half-blind witchdoctor in Cambodia, no lie. Talk about balls. His aftercare instructions, when I asked about them, proved to be immensely elaborate and unlike anything I've ever heard of before. Devised with a decidedly holistic slant and a robust understanding of the chemistry of over the shelf products, it's pretty amazing stuff. While he told me in head spinning detail how it works, the amount of research he's put into his aftercare program amounts to propriatery information, so I agreed to leave the details out.

Some states have outlawed the use of plastic wrap as a bandage. I never thought this was a good idea, personally. Its disgusting for one, but worse its cheap. A nice, soft sterile bandage costs about a nickle when you buy them in bulk. On a busy day we can go through a whopping dollar of them. Might want to consider that, but it shouldn't be a deal breaker. Some great artists still use saran wrap. And I'm sure they have all kinds of complicated reasons why.

It just goes to show how important aftercare is. Once the tattoo is done it's up to you to take good care of it until its all healed up. Ask questions, get answers, but above all, follow the program. If you don't, we can tell.

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