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Because you have paid an artist to decorate your skin with multi-colored ink, you are now the proud owner of a somewhat-delicate investment. There are certain things that you can no longer do, or must modify somehow before attempting. It seems like a pain in the butt (or wherever you got that tatto design), but it's worth it.
First, don't ever expose your tatto design to the sun without proper precautions, even if you had it done fifteen years ago. The sun will fade it away, slowly but surely, leaving you with a faint and completely uncool version of that awesome Grim Reaper you'd coveted since the third grade. If you must play or work in the sun, wear something over the tatto (wrapping a handkerchief around it will usually suffice if it cannot be covered with clothing), or wear sunscreen. The more effort you put into keeping the tat out of the sun, the longer it will last.
Stop picking at scabs, blisters or boils. If there is a bump, bite or other potentially-scarring anomaly on your tatto design, don't mess with it. If it's bad, consult a physician. If it's minor, such as an ant bite, leave it alone. You should not pop it, peel it, or pick at it, even if that's the most tempting thing in your universe. If you just cannot resist the urge, put the bandage back over the tat. This might seem ridiculous, especially if you've had the tat for twenty years and have just now developed a couple of ant bites right over the coolest part of it, but it's better than messing up the artwork.
If your daily lifestyle includes regular risks of cutting, scraping or other such damage to your skin, wear protective gear over tattoos - and areas that you plan to have tattooed in the future. Scars over already-existing tatto designs do not look very good, so use gloves or thick clothing if you are doing something that could lead to a cut or scrape.
You might have touch-ups done periodically even with these precautions, but they should be fewer in number. Your tatto design, if done properly and with high-quality inks, will give you a lifetime of pleasure.
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