New Tattoo! :D

[Elizabeth]

I just got my first tattoo yesterday! Anyway, I've been washing it four times a day.
My first question is, which is best to clean it with, Lubriderm, A&D, or Aquaphor? The paper of aftercare lists all three, but I was wondering how each of them worked for others.
My second questions is how do you know when it is healed? I was told that the swelling would go down and it would be flat. However, mine is like this after one day. Am I looking at it wrong? Can someone describe it differently maybe?
Thanks!

[BrittneyNicole]

Pictures?!
Anywayy, to answer your questions: I always use A&D ointment. It seems to work very well for me and I apply it every few hours as not to allow my tattoo to dry out too much. And it took mine about 1-2 weeks to heal but they usually take 2-3 weeks to heal completely. Your tattoo will eventually scab, but DON'T PICK AT IT. After the scabs fall off and is smooth, it's pretty much healed.

[Gaia]

I washed mine with warm water and a little soap, then put E45 or johnson's baby lotion on it. They heal pretty fast, as long as you don't pick at the scabs and if you moisturise twice a day the scabs will heal very fast.
Happy healing [:

[Emzy]

I used savlon on mine, and soap with warm water. dont pick the scabs, it pulls the ink off!

[Fishie]

Well it will look fine for about a day or two but then it starts scabbing and the ink will look a little funny, obviously because its scab. But anyways once it scabs try not to get it too wet, as when scabs get wet they get soft and can get knocked off easily. So NO soaking the tattoo. Also use moisture rich lotion like the ones they listed. Aquaphor is very good, I used that and regular Eucerin Lotion. For the first week I used lotion 2 times a day or if it felt tight (the skin) or dry I would lotion it up so more, but make sure you don't put to much on, and rub in the lotion. If the tattoo has a glare from the lotion there's too much so gently with a clean towel dab off the excess.After the first week I used lotion once a day and still do today. Keep it protected from the sun until all the scabs are off, oh and when it starts scabbing you'll know because it starts to itch like mad!!! Don't scratch if you need to lightly tap it. Pictures please! Take care of it and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

[Elizabeth]

Pictures on my profile!

I don't think it is scabbing yet because it isn't itching. My skin was feeling tight so I put lotion on it and it felt better. I'm a little confused about what is too much lotion because even a tiny amount makes it shine. I'm talking a very little amount too. Also, it kinda looks like there are tiny bubbles forming. Is this scabbing starting? I know that I should ask my tattooist, however he is in another state and it is illegal this young in California, so I'm not really sure what to do. Haha.
Thanks for advice everyone!!!

[i_am_me_again]

I was told to use baby moisteriser, and it worked well enough!

[Fishie]

The bubbles you're talking about is most likely scabbing, it looks strange since there is color in it, so it will not look like a normal scab. And what I mean my to much is when even after you rub it all in theres still lotion sitting on your skin, if you get what i mean. Sorry I didn't explain it better before because yes any amount does make it shine, but I mean if you put a huge amount on dab excess off, but you'll be able to tell what to much is, so as long as your taking small amounts at a time rubbing them in all the way or very good then you're golden. Oh also when the tattoo starts scabbing and this may not happen right away but bits of color, well more like flakes of color will come off, do not freak out this is normal and its just the skin shedding, the tattoo will be okay. Any other questions just ask them, and I'm going to your profile now.