wrist tattoo, care considerations **edit photo

Seaborn111

So i'm going for my first and preferably only tattoo tomorrow.



the text, on the inside of my wrist.

considering that is quite a mobile and in-the-way spot, i was wondering if any of you tattoo'd mofos have any advice for care?

**edit pics

I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up

BAM

http://tattoo.about.com/cs/beginners/a/blaftercare.htm

Seaborn111

thank ya...bookmarked

But i'm really looking for more anecdotal evidence on how to treat a tattoo in a...volatile? area. if there is any specific advice, that is.

Improvolone

Short sleeves? Are your forearms getting that much abuse during the day?

cooljammer00

well try not to bang your wrists into anything. don't tense your arms too much, I guess.

I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up

if you're really worried about it you could use saran wrap, but then you'd most likely have to get it recolored. (this happened to a friend)

Duffel

You'll probably want to be careful with keyboards.

DrZiplock

The wrist is a tough place because your skin flexes a great deal there and you can crack the scabs and all manner of other damage.

You need to be very aware of what you're doing for awhile until it fully heals. Avoid really really extending your wrist and the like.

Perhaps you'd consider moving it up your forearm a bit? Still on the inside of course, but in a less stretch prone area...

EggyToast

Get one of those wrist-braces they sell at drug stores, and wear that so you don't flex your wrist. The padding isn't air-tight either so you shouldn't run into any serious problems with it discoloring or getting too dry/wet.

DrZiplock

Beyond that, basic care as prescribed by your tattoo artist. Do whatever he or she says. They're the pros.


However, best one I had ever heard was from an artist in York, England who inked a friend of mine. He told her to put preperation H on it. The hemroid cream. Apparently it's really good at taking care of the swelling AND keeping it from drying out.

i n c u b u s

First, love the HHGttG so I love the tat idea. Next, since the wrist is exposed to a lot of direct contact with the sun the colors will eventually fade so I'd check with your artist to see if he does touch ups. A lot of artists will do them for free but some don't so check up on that. Also I've heard horror stories about saran wrap but the last tat I got was wrapped up in it and it seems fine to me. The first one I got was just covered up with a gause bandage for an hour then left to air dry. I guess every artist has their own opinion about healing techniques. Just remember NEVER pick at the scabs and keep the area clean with a non scented antibacterial soap.

deadlyrhetoric

Use a good ointment like A&D for the first 24 hours and after the first 24 hours just moisturize the living shit out of it with a non-comedogenic lotion like Cetaphil (they sell this at most grocery stores and CVS/Duane-Reade/etc.). It's a little expensive but I don't think splurging on caring for something that you're going to have until you die is unreasonable.

Keep in mind that a little bit of ointment goes a very long way.

Get masking/gaffing/painting tape and fold a small piece of paper towel over itself then tape it over your wrist with a small amount of slack (but not too much - you don't want it rubbing against it while it scabs).

I have a ginormous tattoo of Alphonse Mucha's "The Evening Star" on my right forearm (it goes from my wrist all the way up to just before my elbow). I really only moisturized it two or three times a day and it healed wonderfully (Spoilered for size):

Some people don't even use ointment or lotion - it's called dry-healing. It's big in Japan. It sort of grosses me out.

ink4n3

Your tattoo artist will have healing advice for you once you are finished. Like stated before, everyone has a different opinion on what should be done for healing. They will probably give you a sheet to take home with aftercare advice.
I think the best thing is just ask your artist what to do.