Leave That Bandage Alone!
Your artist took the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason - to keep air-born bacteria from invading your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of one and a half hours. Excitement of having a new tattoo will make you want to remove the bandage so you can show your friends, but your friends will just have to wait until later.

Bathing, Showering, Hot Tubs, and Swimming
Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo. It's OK to get your tattoo wet - just don't soak it for ages. Swimming - whether it be a pool, fresh water or salt water - should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.

Healing and Peeling
After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. Excessive scabbing could indicate a tattoo that has been allowed to get too dry and not had the correct aftercare cream put on regularly enough.A small amount of scabbing is sometimes normal and there is no need to panic. Your tattoo might start to itch usually about the time you get your first peel which is when a layer of colourful skin comes off just the same as sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put more lotion on it.Please note that a very small amount of people have reactions to skin creams etc. so if your tattoo remains red and sore after the next day,try a different cream.Correct healing of your tattoo is as important as the actual tattooing aplication so look after it.

Aftercare Products are available at Famous Daves, to help with the healing process.