Take care of your tattoo

Most tattoos take about two weeks to heal. To prevent infection and encourage healing:

• Keep tattooed skin clean. Wash the tattooed area twice a day with soap and water and a gentle touch. While showering, avoid direct streams of water on newly tattooed skin. Pat the area dry. Don't rub it.
• Use moisturizer. Apply a mild moisturizer to the tattooed skin several times a day.
• Avoid sun exposure. Keep the tattooed area out of the sun until it heals.
• Don't go swimming. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while the tattoo is healing.
• Choose clothing carefully. Don't wear anything that might stick to the tattoo.

Depending on the type of tattoo you get and how large it is, you may need to follow other steps too. Ask your tattoo artist for specific directions on how to care for your tattoo until it heals.

If you think your tattoo might be infected or you're worried that your tattoo isn't healing correctly, contact a healthcare professional.

If your tattoo isn't what you expected and you're thinking about removing it, talk to a dermatologist about options for tattoo removal. Removal usually takes several sessions. It might not be possible to remove some tattoos completely. Scars may remain after a tattoo has been removed.