How do you take care of a tattoo, if you're lazy?

[Original Poster]

I know the basics: wash it with white soap, let it dry by itself; don't leave it submerged, in the sun, in the heat, no chlorine, no chemicals, don't peel it, practical stuff. But how necessary is skin cream? They told me I should apply it once every three hours for 2 weeks. What are the benefits of putting cream on? Also, I got it in Argentina, and there they called it Dermaglos, but I don't know what the English equivalent is and I'm in the US now so what would I even ask for in the drug store?

[LifeStandsStill]

Well, I'm not an expert, and the tattoo I have is pretty small... Whenever I washed it, all I used was just water actually... (Since it is so small) I would just take my finger and rub it gently under a faucet or when I was in the shower. I was always out in the sun, I've never heard that you can't be in the sun with a tattoo? As for skin cream, I eventually ran out of what they gave me, and I can't remember what it was called... But the way I applied it, was whenever it dried up, I'd put some more on it, after washing it gently. And when I ran out of that stuff, I'd just dab a little lotion on it (cause ya know, it's so small... the scab came of rather fast as well.) But yeah, I probably haven't helped you at all. As for getting cream or whatever, I'm sure at least some tattoo shops would have those kinds of things for purchase? I can't see why they wouldn't

[Misbijoux]

Keeping the tattoo moisturized is very important for the healing process. The ointment also keeps the tattoo from fading and/or getting infected. I used Tattoo Goo, which was given to me after I had mine done. But, you can use any anti-bacterial lotion (Neosporin). A thin layer is all you need. I was always out in the sun, I've never heard that you can't be in the sun with a tattoo? Sunlight can fade the ink.

[eppy]

My mom has a bunch of tattoos and whenever she goes outside when it is really sunny, she puts sun tan lotion on them. I'm not sure about chlorine.. people with tattoos swim in pools with chlorine in them.

[Original Poster]

It's not forever, just for the first two weeks to the first month.