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How to Clean for New Tattoos & Piercings

Proper cleaning of a fresh tattoo or piercing is absolutely crucial to the healing process. It will not only stave off infection but also prevent the body from developing a scab, which can lead to loss of ink in a tattoo and extreme discomfort in a piercing. Clean a new tattoo or piercing three or four times a day for the first two weeks and realize these are open wounds. Do not expose them to any element you wouldn't expose a cut or gash to, such as direct sunlight or chlorinated water.

Things You'll Need

  • Warm water
  • Antibacterial soap
  • Clean towel
  • Protective ointment
  • Unscented hand lotion
  • Sea salt
  • Mouthwash (for lip, tongue and cheek piercings)
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Instructions

  1. Tattoo

    • 1

      Splash warm water onto the tattooed area. Do not rub water on the skin or allow a stream of water to run over the area if you can help it.

    • 2

      Dab antibacterial soap all over the tattoo.

    • 3

      Wash the soap off by splashing more water onto the area and dry by gently dabbing a clean towel or simply air-drying.

    • 4

      Smear a thin layer of protective ointment over the tattoo. Try not to use too much ointment, just a very thin layer. A little ointment goes a long way.

    • 5

      Continue washing and lathering with ointment three or four times a day for the first three days, then switch to a non-scented hand lotion. Scented lotion contains alcohol and will dry the tattoo out, causing it to heal unevenly.

    Piercing

    • 6

      Clean the pierced area thoroughly with warm water and antibacterial soap. Always use a clean towel to dry the area or simply allow it to air-dry.

    • 7

      Create a sea salt and warm-water mixture using only natural sea salt. Do not use regular salt.

    • 8

      Pour the mixture over the tattooed area and make sure it gets all the way down into the skin. Allow the mixture to dry naturally.

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