After you’ve washed the tattoo quickly, make sure to tap dry it with a paper towel or a clean, soft cloth/towel. Make sure to tap the tattoo lightly as you dry it; do not use force or wiping motion.

After you’re done cleaning the tattoo, you can apply the thinnest layer of antibacterial ointment or lotion. From this point on, you should start repeating the cleaning process once or twice a day, maximum.

Do Not Re-Bandage the Tattoo

You may think that it would be smart to cover the tattoo after the cleaning. But, you will be wrong to do so.

Once you’ve washed the tattoo, the key to fast healing is to let the tattoo dry and form a new skin layer. This process lasts a couple of days. As the tattoo dries and heals, it forms scabs and becomes itchy.

Now, it is essential to resist the urge to peel the tattoo or scratch it. Such actions will prolong the healing process or even potentially infect the tattoo (since there are bacteria and germs in your fingernails and on the hands).

You can protect the tattoo by wearing loose clothes and by sleeping on clean sheets. Do not allow the pets to sleep in the same bed as you, since they can be the reason your tattoo gets infected.

Read More: How To Sleep With A New Tattoo: 8 Tips From Expert

Take Quick Showers

During the tattoo healing process, you will have to get used to quick showers. If you want the tattoo to heal fast, you cannot expose it to water. Otherwise, the tattoo will be damp ore than it should, which will make it hard for the skin to dry out and heal. So, quick showers, no baths, and definitely no swimming sessions; this will have to be your life for a while.

One tip you can utilize to protect your tattoo during showering is the following product; Vaseline.

Petroleum-based products aren’t advised to be used on healing tattoos, since they can clog the pores and prevent the skin from breathing (which can result in infection). However, a thin layer of Vaseline before showering can prevent the tattoo from getting wet. After you’re done showering, clean the tattoo from Vaseline and keep it dry.