Also Read: Wearing Clothes Over a New Tattoo: Can You Do It and How?

2. Choose the Right Tattooist

Because getting a tattoo is a relatively expensive endeavor, a lot of people tend to look for ways to minimize the final cost. For some reason, everyone thinks that getting a ‘cheaper’ tattoo service will somehow be a good idea. Nope! If you’re paying cheap for a tattoo, then your tattoo will be cheap (and low quality).

When we say cheap and low quality, we think of this;

• The tattoo artist won’t do a good job!
• The tattoo artist may not be the most hygienic person out there; this can mess up the tattoo, cause an infection, which later makes it sheer or fading too quickly.
• The tattoo artist may use poor-quality ink, which, of course, promotes faster fading on its own.

So, what can you do? Before you book an appointment, do your homework! Look for the best tattoo artists in your area, or ask around and see who has the best reputation. Do NOT hesitate to pay more for a tattoo, because the cost ensures in the majority of cases that the tattooist is using high-quality ink and knows what he or she is doing.

Note: If you come to a tattoo shop, and the tattoo artist is not wearing gloves or hasn’t sanitized the equipment and tools, leave! They will not only ruin your tattoo but also potentially put you and your health in danger. Such a working environment will definitely result in a tattoo infection.

3. Follow The Aftercare Routine (And Do It Properly!)

The moment you leave the tattoo shop with a new tattoo, you’re responsible for its aftercare. The tattoo artist has probably instructed you on what to do, but in case you’ve missed a few points, here’s what a proper aftercare routine comprises;

• Only touch the tattoo with clean and washed hands!
• Wash the tattoo with antibacterial soap!
• Do not wash the tattoo immediately! It needs at least 24 hours to stop oozing and bleeding!
• Apply antibiotic ointment or vaseline-free moisturizer (only twice a day maximum)!
• Wait patiently for the tattoo to heal! Do not pick, peel, scratch, or touch the tattoo!
• Wear loose clothes and do not engage in strenuous work or exercise!
• Avoid swimming until the tattoo heals!

You need to be aware that a fresh tattoo is an open wound basically, So, for the tattoo to look good and start fading only when you reach your 60s, it needs to heal properly!