Got my Four Horsemen tattoo yesterday. Stoked but damn it looks raw. Artist said aftercare’s crucial so I nailed their three-step method like it was gospel.
Step 1: First Wash (Like Surgery Clean)
Woke up this morning. Removed that cling wrap gently – sticky mess. Filled my sink with lukewarm water. Dabbed tattoo using just fingertips with unscented hand soap I stole from my kid’s bathroom. Pat dried it with paper towels like handling dynamite. Zero rubbing. Skin felt tight but clean.
Step 2: Slather That Goo (Thin Wins)
Waited 20 mins till skin breathed. Used basic drugstore ointment (didn’t matter which brand). Squeezed pea-sized blob. Spread it paper-thin like buttering toast. Saw some guys glob it on – nah. Too much suffocates. Wiped off excess instantly with clean paper.
Step 3: Repeat & Resist Picking
Setup phone reminders every 4 hours:
- Wash hands like germaphobe
- Quick rinse
- Reapply ointment thin AF
Day 3 itching kicked in. Slapped my hand twice when reaching to scratch. Used ice pack wrapped in paper towel. Helped like magic. Two weeks later – flaky but zero smudged ink.
Stuck to the basics. No fancy tricks. Showered quick avoiding direct spray. Skipped gym sweat for two weeks – worth it. Now repping crisp tattoo with zero regrets.
