Your skin needs as long as 45 days to recover from the damage of a colored tattoo, but it heals considerably within approximately one week and appears healed in approximately two weeks. Once the artist finishes emblazoning your new colored tattoo on your skin, the responsibility falls to you regarding aftercare. Your fresh tattoo will go through a healing stage that requires you to keep it clean and medicated so it won't become infected.

Remove the bandage covering your colored tattoo within two hours of leaving the tattoo shop. If you leave it any longer, it may stick to your skin.

Wash your hands with soap and water to clean them. Wash the colored tattoo with lukewarm water and mild soap applied to your clean hands. Rinse the tattoo with lukewarm water.

Pat the tattoo gently with a clean soft towel to dry. Spread a thin layer of antibiotic ointment over the colored tattoo. If you apply too much -- it looks shiny and greasy -- wipe some off with a clean paper towel. Do not re-bandage; the tattoo needs to breathe.

Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for approximately three to five days, two to three times per day. After three to five days, switch from antibiotic ointment to a fragrance-free, color-free moisturizing lotion. Keep cleansing and moisturizing for 10 days to two weeks.

See a health care provider if you experience extreme redness, swelling drainage or pain at the tattoo site. (See Reference 3)