Tattoo Aftercare - How to Take Care of New Tattoos

Before you get yourself a tattoo, you must be prepared to put in the effort to take care of it. The fact is, if you have any problems or complication such as infection on a fresh tattoo, the tattoo artist you've put your trust on is not going to be responsible for it you do not take any care for your new ink.

A well drawn, sharp and beautiful tattoo can quickly become a disaster if good tattoo aftercare is not given to it. There are some simple guidelines you can take to care for your tattoo. The artists who drawn the design will put in the initial care by covering up your new tattoo for good reason. The reason is to prevent any air born bacteria from invading your wound.

A new body ink is literally a wound on your skin even if it looks pretty. The open flesh is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and for infection. You have to leave the bandage for a minimum time of up to two hours.

When you got your first ink, there will be some excitement and everybody will be asking you to remove the bandage so that you can show off your new tattoo. This is not a good idea though. It is best to ask your friends to be patient and wait for two hours before removing the bandage that came from the tattoo parlor.

There can be one exception for this restriction. If your artist covered your tattoo with saran wrap or with some kind of plastic, it is best to remove it immediately. Saran wrapper is not recommended because it restricts oxygen from reaching your new ink.

After removing the bandage, you must wash your new tattoo. Use lukewarm water together with a mild liquid antibacterial or with antimicrobial soap. The generic brand antibacterial soap is better for this purpose. Wash the wound gently to remove any ointment, plasma or dried blood and making sure the entire area is completely clean. When you've done washing, use a soft cotton towel and dab your new tattoo area dry.

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Cherry Blossom Tattoo Designs & Their Meanings

You see cherry blossom tattoos on many women these days as these such designs have grown in popularity among tattoo aficionados and first timers alike. This rush for distinct tattoos of cherry blossoms has given rise to a great interest in the meaning and symbolism of the cherry blossom in both the Chinese and Japanese cultures.

Since tattoos are very personal things, they can say a lot about a person so getting the right tattoo for the right reason is important. Since cherry blossoms mean different things in Chinese and Japanese society you should be aware that peoples of those backgrounds might react quite differently when they see it.

Cherry Blossoms In China

The Chinese see the cherry blossom as a symbol of power, particularly of the dominance of the feminine persona. This could mean a blossom tattoo is ideal for you if you are a strong willed woman who values her liberty and freedom or if you have recently come out of a difficult relationship.

It also stands for love if you are coming from the herbal lore approach.

Cherry Blossoms In Japan

In Japanese culture there is often a link between the blossoming of cherry tress and the Buddhist concept of "mono no aware" which refers to the reverence for life, the transience of being and the sadness at the passing of things. This is because cherry blossoms only appear on tress for short times before they fall to the ground.

This association with mortality is highly symbolic in Japan and has been used in traditional art there for many centuries along with more recent manga or anime. This link may however make a tattoo of cherry blossoms unsuitable for some. Alternatively, it may give you renewed appreciation for the fragility of life and help you make the most of your brief time on this Earth, while bringing you a different perspective on the hard times you may face; knowing that they will not last forever.
Getting A True Reflection Of Cherry Blossom In Your Tattoo

While it is true that there are many different varieties of cherry blossom, many people do not appreciate just how different looking they can be. In fact, the most common cherry tree in Japan is Somei Yoshino which has largely white blossom with only the faintest hint of pink on the petals.

Other popular choices do have very much more pink in their blossom and it is these that you will more commonly see as tattoos. But still, this is something you will have to think about when getting your tattoo. You should do some research, find pictures of tattoos other people have had and decide which you prefer. It might depend on your skin tone; those with pale skin will definitely want a more pink design whereas tanned or olive skinned people should think about paler pink or white flowers in their designs.

You should also think about how much of the branch to integrate into the overall tattoo design. Realism would dictate that you have a fair bit of branch with flowers clumped together along it but it will probably come down to both personal taste and where you intend the tattoo to be.

Getting Your Tattoo Done

If you have decided upon a tattoo incorporating cherry blossoms you should be very selective over whom you get to apply the design to your skin. Japanese art is very intricate as is the cherry tree itself so you need somebody who has experience in this type of tattoo. Make sure you talk over with them exactly what you want and don't be afraid to ask for amendments to their initial drawings so that the finished article is something you are happy to live with for the rest of your life.

So there you have it, I hope this overview of the meaning and symbolism of the cherry tree blossom has been useful in making up your mind about that tattoo you've been after.

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Tattoo Virgin

In the halcyon days of drive-in movies and eight tracks, tattoos had an unsavory reputation and were often associated with smoky biker hangouts and sideshow artists. These days, these colorful images have become one of the hottest forms of self-expression and personal freedom, particularly since celebrities such as Angelina Jolie are no longer shy about flashing their body art on the red carpet.

Tattoos come in a diverse range of styles and designs, ranging from single words to more elaborate pictures,and are created by artists who inject ink under the skin using a drill-like machine which pricks your skin as many as 3,000 times per minute. Although it may sound intimidating, getting a tattoo is not particularly painful(depending where you place it). Those who have undergone it often compare the experience to receiving an injection or suffering a hot scratch. Be weary though, since the skin may bleed, sending those with weak stomachs looking for an exit.

Apart from tattoos that have some sort of personal significance for the wearer, the most common symbols that people tattoo on their bodies are those related to their belief systems. Thus, you can find people who tattoo Christian symbols such as crucifixes on their bodies as well as those who choose astrological and zodiacal symbols. Flowers are also popular symbols, particularly with women who see them as expressions of femininity.


While you can place a tattoo anywhere on your body, the major considerations are how visible you want the tattoo to be and how painful it will be. For men, the most painful areas to get a tattoo are the chest and abdomen; for women it is the ankle and ribcage. The least painful areas are the arms and back for men and the abdomen, thigh and shoulder for women; for both sexes, getting a tattoo on the buttocks hurts the least.

The best advice you'll receive is to never get a tattoo on a whim. Remember that you'll be stuck with it for the rest of your life. Take your time, choose the right tattoo artist and pick a symbol that best expresses your personality and how you want to present yourself to the world.

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