Tattoo Dos and Don'ts

More than one in four men in America (27 percent, per Pew Research) have tattoos, and many of these people have more than one. While the number of tattooed individuals overall is increasing, there seems to be no exact industry standard when it comes to caring for a fresh tattoo.

According to WebMD, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the inks in tattoos, but the actual practice of tattooing is regulated by local jurisdictions, such as cities and counties. That means there is no standardized certification for those doing the tattooing or an overall governing body supervising the health and safety of tattoo parlors.

However, there are accepted Dos and Don’ts, as well as a few lesser-known tips for you to think about before you head to your next tattoo appointment.

DO choose a facility carefully, experts say, and make sure the establishment is reputable and licensed to perform these procedures.

DON'T administer tattoos. Attempting to give yourself a tattoo is extremely dangerous, according to experts. This can lead to infections, serious health complications, and even death.

DO keep things simple. A small tattoo or one with two or three colors is the easiest to remove as well as conceal.

DON'T have a procedure in unsanitary conditions. Sterile equipment and supplies should always be used for tattoos. Look out for unacceptable conditions such as the use of needles on more than one patient and technicians who don’t wear gloves.

DO choose an appropriate location. Because tattoos in unusual and sensitive areas can lead to scarring that never heals, men should think carefully about where to place these items on your body. Also, think about where you want it and how big it should be. A good tip is to place it in an area that can be covered by clothing traditionally worn in the workplace.

DON'T let an infection go. If you suspect any problems or experience considerable redness or soreness, see your dermatologic surgeon immediately—it may signal an infection.

DO remember what’s “hot” today may not be tomorrow. Today, the latest fad may be tribal or flower tattoos, but tomorrow’s trends may be different.

DON'T over wash. This can cause more than justthe excess ink to expel from the skin, fading the tattoo. Washing your tattoo once in the morning and once before bed should be enough, experts suggest; however, if your daily life exposes you to more bacteria than the average person (a park ranger, for example), maybe wash one additional time daily.

DO moisturize lightly after cleansing.

DON'T over moisturize, and do not use any lotions that contain dyes, fragrances, or alcohol. Avoid anything that will irritate or dry out your skin. Over moisturizing or using heavier lotions slows down the skin cell regeneration process. Moisturize only enough to bene t your tattoo, experts say.

DO discover the benefits of swapping out a cleansing with wiping your tattoos with a hot, clean towel after the first few days.

DON'T rinse your tattoo under water directly. Do not soak in bathtubs, hot tubs, pools, lakes, etc. until your tattoo is fully healed.

DO allow the new layer of skin to form over your tattoo naturally. Scabbing is not only normal but is also necessary to the healing process.

DON'T pick or scrub off your scabs. This is one of the most crucial parts of tattoo aftercare. Picking your scabs and not allowing them to fall off naturally will leave light spots and/or scars.

DO protect from the sun for the first 10 days, especially if the tattoo contains white ink. When exposed to direct sunlight, white ink can turn yellow or brown.

DON'T re-bandage your tattoo. Your ink needs to breathe in order to heal, so covering your tattoo will prevent oxygen from penetrating the skin.

DO treat your tattoo like an open wound, because that’s exactly what a fresh tattoo is. Use natural washes and lotions and do your best to not aggravate the area unnecessarily.