Getting a tattoois, as everyone has no doubt told you, a very big step.

As she tells us, “Poor aftercare can lead to an infection.”

Okay, so what, exactly, constitutes proper aftercare?

Artist tattooing woman

Mullans says “picking the scabs or peeling dead skin can cause infection … and scarring.”

Chances are, the shop where you got your tattoo done will have such products in stock.

She also recommends wearing clothing sufficiently opaque so as to protect your tattoo from the sun.

Tattooed woman applying lotion

Woman with tattooed neck

Woman in beach hat with lotion