You are probably in the minority if you are going to go ahead with the decision to get that tattoo because a lot of people get scared off by the process. Lack of knowledge is probably the biggest culprit for this happening because the fear of getting a tattoo that ends up as a health nightmare of lack of awareness how to live with a tattoo after you get one runs off a lot of potential body art lovers. And when you add to that a media perception of tattoo artists as unsavory characters who operate dirty, back alley operations is far too common and radically incorrect. To start with finding out that tattooists are professionals like anyone else helps a lot. They want your tattoo experience to be healthy and successful as much as you do.

That said, it's true that there have been a few tattoo salons get set up that are not operated at the peak of professionalism and could easily scare away any but the hard core customer. But you can find bad apples in any field of business. So you as a customer have the final vote on who to use and you should do your research on which tattooists live up to a high level of customer care and which do not. By going to an established tattoo parlor that is also a respectable business that you can count on being there next week is a good start. And any responsible tattoo establishment will be happy to give you references and you should follow up on those references so you feel completely at ease when the day for your tattoo arrives. Do all you can to look at their tools and resources and if you are not completely happy with what you find out, keep looking for a tattooist you can trust.

There are several ways you will see a truly professional tattooist make sure experience with your first tattoo is both safe and enjoyable so you will come back for a second and a third tattoo from them. Before they start, the tattooist can discuss the ointments and cleaning procedures that will go on throughout the application of the tattoo to raise your confidence that all is well. In addition to good hygiene as the tattoo is applied you can expect your hygienist to know how to dress the "wound" so the tattoo is well cleaned and bandaged for maximum protection as you leave the tattoo parlor with it. But before you go the last act of making sure your tattoo experience is complete will be for the tattooist to instruct you in the care and cleaning of the tattoo over the next week or two so it heals into a beautiful work of art on your skin.

When you get home with your new tattoo, in that it might still sting or itch, you should resist the urge to wash it too much. The very act of getting the tattoo, if it's done right, is completely clean so it's fine. But it will be up to you to keep it sanitary and to change the coverings so the tattoo area is always free of anything that could contaminate it. But also work to keep it dry, at least for the first few days as the wound of the tattoo heals. And if you can go without the covering or bandage for a little while each day, you should because the oxygen will speed the healing process.

Your tattooist should be available to help you wish questions even after you have paid him for the tattoo and he can guide you on the right medicated ointments to buy for the important few days and weeks after the initial application of the tattoo. Most of what you will need can be found at the local drug store so it shouldn't be a big expense. Just be sure to be faithful to use the ointments he has you buy and avoid using harsh soaps on the tattoos area because the skin is still very tender and recovering from the tattoo.

The skin where your tattoo will continue to need special care even after the initial three to six days of using the medicated ointment. So some very basic moisturizing lotion can help keep that skin soothed and moist as the healing continues. One of the major name brand baby lotions is just the right thing because if it is safe for the delicate nature of a baby's skin, it will be right for the skin you are nurturing back to health.

The final phases of the healing of your new tattoo could be the hardest of them all if for no other reason than that you want it to be done with. But for the health of your skin and to make sure the tattoo itself is not compromised, be just as loving to your tat then as the first day you brought it home. But when the skin begins to scab over a little bit, that itching and the urge to take the scab off is a huge temptation you must fight. The skin needs this step to heal and if you got involved too early, you could hurt the tattoo as well. So have some strength to leave the skin alone and let it heal in its own time.

Taking care of a tattoo is as much a part of the life of being a lover of body art as getting one was in the first place. By caring for the skin that proudly displays your tat, you will assure good health and a great looking design for a long time. And when you invest the effort, the money and the discomfort into a pattern that will be on your body forever, that tender loving care is certainly justified.