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I am a piercer in a tattoo shop, with over 50 hours tattoo work from various artists, and can tell you from experience that choosing the perfect artist for your tattoo only takes you so far in the process of getting the best tattoo ever. Once you have chosen a really great artist to do your work, and gotten your tattoo, aftercare is up to you. Taking good care of your skin before getting tattooed, and proper care of your tattoo during it's healing process once it's healed will make your tattoo brighter, smoother, last longer without fading.

Everyone's skin is different, so the proper care of it before a tattoo, and after the healing process is over, will be different. Every tattoo artist has different experiences with aftercare, and so will give you different aftercare instructions. However, basics always stay the same.

On un-tattooed skin, or over a healed tattoo (several weeks old), it is important to keep your skin clean, exfoliated, and moisturized. Wash with soap, exfoliate two to four times a week, and always moisturize after getting out of the bath or shower. Lotions with aloe will soothe easily irritated skin, lotions with vitamin e can help break up scar tissue and increase skin elasticity, and things like cocoa butter will make your skin softer. Using SPF30 or higher sunscreen every time you go out will keep your skin healthy and prevent the sun from fading your tattoo over time.

During the healing process of your tattoo, aftercare is extremely important. Improper care can cause fading, loss of color, and infection. Remember, your tattoo is an open wound and should be treated as such. Immediately after you get tattooed, your artist will probably cover your tattoo with some sort of clear wrap or a bandage. This is to prevent your tattoo from leaking blood, plasma, and ink on people and things as you go about your day. Always remove your bandage within two hours unless otherwise directed by your artist.

Initially, some 'weeping' (leaking of plasma, blood, or some pigment) is normal. Tattoos may also be swollen, sore, warm, or reddish. Most redness will fade over the course of a few hours. Swelling in joints, on feet or hands, or lower legs, may cause some pain (like a bruise) or inhibit movement. To prevent or treat swelling, take ibuprofen or aleve. All weeping, swelling, and redness, should fade or stop within two to four days.

Always wash your hands before you touch your tattoo for any reason. You should only be touching

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