We get a lot of calls and e-mails asking about tattoo aftercare, and people wanting to know why there is so much contradiction from one studio to the next when it comes to body art healing. Admittedly, it can be quite confusing. However, there are legitimate reasons why there are so many different opinions out there, and we can explain some of those reasons here.

Many tattoo aftercare sheets recommend washing with anti-bacterial soap and treating with A&D or Bacitracin Ointment for 3-5 days, and then following that up with skin lotion. Some will tell you that Bacitracin is a no-no, and just to keep the tattoo clean and use a little lotion.

Then there are companies out there that make products such as Tattoo Goo and Tattoo Lube that take out all the guessing work and claim their products are designed specifically for aftercare and are superior to any other ointments. There are so many different opinions out there, what is one to do?

Now these different instructions are not just arbitrary guesses by someone that knows little or nothing about tattoos. All of the above info. is from professionals with years of experience and who have probably tried several methods of aftercare before coming to a professional conclusion as to what is best.