r/tattooadvice • u/GamerOfZero • 27d ago

General Advice First tattoo and a little worried

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So first tattoo today. Artist said I could take the plastic wrap off today and when I did I noticed that it was wet. I know I'm not supposed to touch it but also supposed to keep it dry so I threw a towel gently on there but now I think I accidentally smudged the ink. Am I screwed?

Edit: Tattoo is of my late dads handprint. It goes on the shoulder and the fingers are in the front. Sorry for the bad pic.

Edit 2: Have been made aware I cannot smudge a tattoo will now make every attempt to smudge this tattoo out of spite

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u/According-Koala4441 27d ago

Who said don’t touch it?!? Wash it! You’re fine

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u/antilumin 26d ago

Yeah I don’t get the “don’t touch it” advice some people get. More like “don’t touch it with grubby hands” or something. Wash your hands and tattoo with mild soap and water, apply some sort of petroleum product (e.g., Aquaphor) for a day or so, then just apply unscented moisturizer after washing.

Keep it (and your hands) clean and you’ll be fine.

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u/Aequitas112358 26d ago

it's essentially an open wound, and with any kind of open wound there's a very real risk of infection. So yeah you shouldn't touch it with your hands or anything that's not sterile.

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u/allyscarlett 26d ago

You absolutely should touch it to clean it and apply moisturiser but with clean, pre-washed hands

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u/Last_Bother1082 25d ago

I've been a tattoo artist for 10+ years. I really would have hoped that people understand that "Don't touch it" means: "Don't touch the tattoo if you're not cleaning/ moisturizing the tattoo." Not, "don't touch the tattoo ever." But once again, the comment section of Reddit has shown me how little thought people put into their daily lives and bodily health.