Tattoo Aftercare
Caring for your tattoo immediately after you've had it done is important but luckily very easy and straightforward to do, though generally everyone seems to have their own version of what to do. If you've been to a reputable tattoo artist they should give you a sheet of things to do and avoid.
The main problem with a fresh tattoo is that it is like an open wound and therefore vulnerable to air-born bacterial and fungal infections. To prevent this the tattoo will be covered with a temporary bandage that should be kept on for at least 4 hours and preferably 6. Keeping it on overnight is a good idea but don't keep it on any longer than 24 hours.
The bandaging will allow the skin to seal up the wounds before it's exposed to the air. There are a few tattooists that cover the new tattoo is saran wrap (clingfilm). If this happens remove the plastic as soon as you can and replace it with some bandaging. The skin needs to be able to breathe to heal properly.
When you come to remove the bandaging you'll want to wash the area. Do so gently and use warm, not hot water, with a mild and preferably antibacterial soap. Do not rub the area hard as you will reopen the areas of skin that have just closed up. Dry the area by gently patting it. Again avoid rubbing. For the next two weeks you need to keep the area clean by washing but don't over wash. If you're taking a shower don't have the water too hot and avoid taking a bath if you're tattoo is going to be immersed under water. The reasoning behind all this is that many tattoo inks are water based and there's a slight chance of the colours being washed out before they've had time to properly set in the skin.
What you'll probably notice soon after having your tattoo are scabs forming. They can be quite small but you'll probably find that over the next few days they'll get increasingly itchy. Avoid scratching at all costs, let them dry out and fall off naturally. If necessary apply lotion after washing your tattoo. There are products that have been developed for tattoo aftercare but if you've only got one tiny tattoo it's probably not worth it.
The reason why you should take these basic precautions is that if you do develop an infection in the tattooed area it can affect the tattoo, causing patchy colouration and distortion of the design. It has to be said that infections are uncommon and usually very minor but why risk your beautiful tattoo.
One more thing to remember for the long term maintenance of your tattoo - use sun lotion. Nothing will fade your tattoo like a good dose of sunlight. So if you want to enjoy the vibrant colours for as long as possible without the need to have your tat recoloured, slap on a high factor sunblock.