I am getting my first tat in a couple of weeks. I am so excited, my three kids helped design it. It will be three butterflys, a Swallowtail a Blue Morpho and a Monarch butterfly. Im not scared of pain had three kids with no drugs or epidural at all. Just want tips on aftercare and also if anyone knows of Lower Eastside tattoo palour in toronto. Thats where im going to get it done.

I'm not familiar with Toronto, so I can't advise you there. On aftercare: you hear different things from different people. Here's my thoughts. Keep the bandage on the tattoo for a couple of hours afterwards. Then wash, pat dry. It needs to be kept moist, so you'll need some kind of ointment. If you're sure you don't have any kind of antibiotic ointment, you can use something like neosporin. Otherwise, stick to A&D ointment (both of these are available in drugstores in the US, I'm not sure if the same brands are found north of the border). Use a thin coat - you don't want to over use it. Apply about 3 times a day for a week or 10 days.

Your tattoo may scab over (mine didn't), and the ointment will be particularly useful in making sure your skin doesn't crack. At some point, the tattoo will probably peel, taking some excess ink with it. Not to worry.

Your mileage may vary. If you get different advice from your tattoo artist, follow that. This is what mine told me, and it worked great.

Good luck!

Sean

Oops! that should have read "if you're sure you don't have any antibiotic ALLERGY". You don't want your skin to break out over a fresh tattoo, as it can apparently lead to mottling of the tattoo.

If you don't have any antibiotic allergies, neosporin or bacitracin are probably fine. If you're not sure, use A&D.

Sean

If you are in Toronto Daemon Rowanchilde, of Urban Primitive is worth the money, the wait, and the work. He is great. As or care A-D Original with a light coat a couple of times a day, is all you need. Keeping it clean is the best medicine.

well ist the morning after my first tat. It took 4hrs last night for my guy to finish. It didnt take that long b/c i couldnt take it but b/c there was a lot of detail. Each butterfly was around 4x4 inches big so the detail in each butterfly took a long time. The area i had it done was on outer right calf starting at ankle going up. The ankle area hurt but the other areas i was able to read and nap thru it. I must handle pain well. I cant wait till i am able to remove bandage and show my kids!!!

Congrats....I read ealier in the thread to use neopsporin or other ointments like it NO NO NO!!!! Use Aquaphor (my fav) or A&D ointment found in the babycare aisle. Thge antibotic ointments are known to be drawing agents and will pull your ink out and wreck your tattoo. Good luck...ruby

Ruby is right! DO NOT use neosporin!
I like Aquaphor too.

Also you want to keep the tattoo as DRY as possible without letting it dry out.
That means a VERY SMALL amount of ointment a couple times a day.

Heal well!

I have 20 tats. Both arms are pretty much full sleeve. A few on the legs. I have used "Tattoo Goo" for all of them and haven't had one problem. I did have 2 infections with ones on my arms but that was from an unrelated situation to aftercare.
With the Tattoo Goo I just put on a film ever so lightly..just enough to keep the tat moist while still allowing it to breathe. Some people load stuff on with a trowel - not good. Be thinking moist (not wet, not dripping-just a fine film replenished as needed) and allowing to breathe to heal and you'll be fine.
For more info on Tattoo Goo I found a number on a can I have and it's 1-877-251-9882 or go to http://www.tattoogoo.com/

Well bandage has been off for a while now and area is soooo itchy. Im not scratching at all! My kids absolutly love the tattoo but my husband despises it. He has actually said that he will never touch me again and never wear short pants around him ever again. He had input into what i wanted and i told him that the tattoo wasnt going to be small. I guess he thought around the size of a 1/2 dollar for each butterfly. My question is How long did it take for anyones spouse to warm up to their new tattoo?

They may never warm up to the tattoo, mine doesn't like them but he tolerates them as I do remind him that it is my body. Each guy is different.

Mine thinks that I am going to get the full body tattoo and I told him he was crazy and give me some credit.

Give him some time and don't push the issue, hopefully he will warm up to the idea and get used to it.

Good Luck!

I'm not too sure about spouses, I live with my grandmother and even though she went with me to get my first tat, she did not like it and did not think that a woman should get a tatoo.

It has been a few months since I got it and she has warmed up to it, and even says that it is very tastefull and easy to hide if I want.

I got two cherries on the top of my right foot, I have always thought cherries were cute and my best friend got the same on her foot, so it has the sentimental value as well.

Anyway, I would say don't push it with your husband and if he never warms up to it, then he doesnt have much respect for you or your body. If he truely loves you and respects you and your decisions he will get over it.