TATTOO AFTERCARE
Congratulations on your new tattoo! To ensure proper healing, you need to be sure to take good care of it.
Your artist is not, and physically cannot be, responsible for any infection or problems with your tattoo once you walk out the door; so it is very important that YOU follow these guidelines.
A beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster if the proper aftercare is not taken.
Leave That Bandage Alone
To keep air-borne bacteria from invading your wound, it has been covered up.
Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection; so leave the bandage on for a minimum of two hours, no longer!
The excitement of having a new tattoo will make you want to show it off, but please wait until you can take it off in a safe, clean environment to do this next step…
Wash and Treat
Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial soap (unscented, non-lotion) to gently wash away any ointment, blood and/or plasma and to completely clean the area.
Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive, use your hand.
Make small circles with your clean fingertips. (If your tattoo feels slimy/slippery, it’s normal, that’s plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible – when the plasma dries on the skin surface, it creates scabs and gets tight.)
Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a VERY light application of your choice of ointment. I recommend H2ocean or Aquaphor.
Do not use Neosporin OR A&D. This is a product for cuts, scrapes, and baby butts, not for tattoos. Use the products as directed and continue that for at least 3-5 days.
After that, continue to keep it clean with ointment or fragrace & dye free lotion, such as Curel and Jergens.
Bathing, Showering, Hot Tubs, and Swimming
Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo. It’s OK to get your tattoo wet – just don’t soak it. Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious risk and damage, so you’ll want to avoid those for two to three weeks, as well as swimming. If you get scented soap or shampoo on your tattoo, just remove it quickly with water to avoid irritation.
Scabbing and Peeling
After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. Don’t pick, and don’t scratch! If the skin itches, lightly slap it.
If it is peeling, put lotion on it. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it! At this point, when in the shower, if you lightly rub with your fingers the flaking will fall and it will help with the itching.
Do not force it, scrub, or soak.
Protection from the Sun
After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always want to protect it from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sunblock.
This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years.
