• Keep the bandage on for at most 6 hours. It is recommended that you keep the bandage on overnight, provided it feels secure and comfortable. If you want to take off the bandage before you go to bed, please refer to the next section for instructions on how to properly remove it and clean your tattoo.
• Your tattoo might still bleed on your first night. The blood may dry overnight and stick on your clothing or bedding. Take the fabric off gently if it happens. Do not try to force the fabric off. If it does not come off, you can use lukewarm to wet it and then gently slide it off.
• During the first couple of days, some tattoos can "weep", meaning that the plasma and ink leave a thin layer of moisture on the skin. This can be DABBED by using a clean towel. Then, press the paper towel onto the skin. Do not rub or scratch the tattoo. If you see the tattoo colors on the paper towel or on your hands, don't panic. This is simply ink being secreted by the skin or surface.
• Avoid staining by using towels and bedding with darker colors and dark clothing.

Make sure to wash your hands and have unscented antibacterial soap handy before you start. Do not use soap that contains fragrance, moisture beads, or scrubs.

• Take off the tape and bandage carefully. If the bandage is sticking to the tattoo, you can wet it with warm water and then gently peel it off.
• Lather your hands with warm water and soap. Do not use bath towels, or sponges to clean a freshly tattooed area.
• Use circular motions to gently clean the tattoo until all of the ointment is gone.
• Rinse the tattoo with warm water until it is completely clean.
• Use a clean towel to pat dry your skin. Let dry completely for at least 10 minutes. No Scrubbing.
• Apply a small amount of Aquaphor or Bacitracin to the tattoo after it has dried. Gently rub the ointment onto your tattoo. You can wipe any residue off your tattoo with a dry paper towel.

Do not apply too much ointment to your tattoo. This can cause it to "suffocate."

This is how to clean your tattoo for the first 2 days.

Re-bandaging the tattoo is not necessary. However, your tattoo can be infected if it isn't wrapped properly. Avoid direct contact with any surface.