tattoo questions for a newbie

I recently got a tattoo (last friday) and it's my first. I've been told you can't swim or put the sun into direct sunlight. I understand this, but my question is, is this the same for tattoos that are just a black outline? Mine is not filled in nor is it thick, it is somewhat big though (from knee to ankle). Also, I am currently washing it with Dial soap twice a day. I put A&D lotion when needed, but I rarely need it. I sleep without anything on it. Am I doing anything wrong or is this good for the most part? Thanks for your time!

The tattoo is a open wound, even the outline, so yes. Same as with tattoos with color. The ointment can be answered by someone with better knowlege. Firs thing would be to ask from the artist that did it, because artists have different ways of taking care of there art, and they know the best way for it :)

Dial antibacterial soap has Triclosan, the antibacterial agent which can attack pigment plus its full of harsh surfactants and perfumes that can cause problems...go to a pure soap sich as Ivory bar or Neutragena...far less problems!

thanks so far for the responses. I just wanted to ask a new question. I just got finish from washing my tattoo and I noticed A LOT of dead skin and ink is coming off. Like for the past few days it's just beena piece here and there, but all of a sudden a huge amount is coming off. Am I doing something wrong? Or is this a good thing?

sounds like its just healing up. regular dial soap is ok (the yellow stuff) but the new antibacterial stuff is garbo. antibacterial anything isn't really that great for you anyway. Sounds like you're doing an ok job taking care of it, just don't pick at it! make sure you pat it down well after washing, and you can probably switch to unscented lotion right about now. (i like cetaphil, its expensive but i like it.) =)

ANY soap that contains dyes or perfumes and surfactants ( like DIAL) is bad for a tattoo...you should only use pure soaps for the first few days