TATTOO AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS

IMMEDIATE CARE (FIRST 24 HOURS)

  1. LEAVE THE BANDAGE ON FOR 2-4 HOURS AFTER YOUR TATTOO IS COMPLETED. THIS PROTECTS THE AREA FROM BACTERIA AND PREVENTS RUBBING OR CONTAMINATION.
  2. WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR TATTOO.
  3. GENTLY REMOVE THE BANDAGE AND WASH THE TATTOO WITH LUKEWARM WATER AND A MILD, FRAGRANCE-FREE SOAP(E.G., DR. BRONNER'S UNSCENTED, DOVE SENSITIVE SKIN).
  4. PAT DRY WITH A CLEAN PAPER TOWEL. DO NOT RUB OR USE A CLOTH TOWEL THAT MIGHT CARRY BACTERIA.
  5. ALLOW THE TATTOO TO BREATHE FOR 15-30 MINUTES, THEN APPLY A THIN LAYER OF RECOMMENDED AFTERCARE OINTMENT (AQUAPHOR, HUSTLE BUTTER, OR TATTOO-SPECIFIC BALM). DO NOT OVER-APPLY-THE SKIN SHOULD NOT LOOK SHINY OR WET.

ONGOING CARE (DAYS 2-14)

  1. WASH YOUR TATTOO TWICE DAILY (MORNING AND NIGHT) WITH FRAGRANCE-FREE SOAP AND LUKEWARM WATER. PAT DRY.
  2. APPLY A LIGHT LAYER OF UNSCENTED MOISTURIZER (LIKE LUBRIDERM OR AVEENO) 2-3 TIMES DAILY. THE SKIN SHOULD FEEL HYDRATED, NOT GREASY.
  3. DO NOT PICK, SCRATCH, OR PEEL ANY SCABS OR FLAKING SKIN-THIS CAN DAMAGE  YOUR TATTOO AND CAUSE PATCHINESS OR INFECTION.
  4. AVOID SOAKING THE TATTOO IN WATER. NO BATHS, SWIMMING POOLS, HOT TUBS, SAUNAS, OR OCEAN WATER UNTIL THE TATTOO IS FULLY HEALED (TYPICALLY 2-4 WEEKS).
  5. AVOID SUN EXPOSURE. DIRECT SUNLIGHT CAN FADE YOUR TATTOO AND DAMAGE HEALING SKIN. IF YOU MUST BE OUTDOORS, COVER THE TATTOO WITH LOOSE CLOTHING.
  6. DO NOT APPLY SUNSCREEN TO A HEALING TATTOO. ONLY USE SUNSCREEN AFTER IT HAS COMPLETELY HEALED (SPF 30+RECOMMENDED).

SIGNS OF NORMAL HEALING

  • SLIGHT REDNESS, SWELLING, AND TENDERNESS (FIRST FEW DAYS).
  • MILD SCABBING OR FLAKING SKIN.
  • ITCHING (AS NEW SKIN FORMS).


THESE ARE NORMAL.

DO NOT SCRATCH THE AREA-GENTLY SLAP IT OR APPLY MOISTURIZER IF ITCHING IS SEVERE.

LONG-TERM TATTOO CARE

  • ALWAYS MOISTURIZE YOUR TATTOO TO MAINTAIN VIBRANT COLORS.
  • USE BROAD-SPECTRUM SPF (30 OR HIGHER) ON HEALED TATTOOS WHEN EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT.
  • KEEP THE SKIN HEALTHY-HYDRATION AND GOOD NUTRITION HELP SKIN (AND TATTOOS) LOOK THEIR BEST.

WHEN TO CONTACT A PROFESSIONAL CALL YOUR TATTOO ARTIST OR SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF YOU EXPERIENCE:

  • EXCESSIVE REDNESS OR SWELLING AFTER 3-4 DAYS
  • FOUL ODOR OR YELLOW/GREEN PUS
  • SEVERE PAIN OR RASH
  • SIGNS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, CONTACT YOUR TATTOO ARTIST DIRECTLY. PROPER CARE ENSURES YOUR TATTOO LOOKS GREAT FOR YEARS TO COME!