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Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

These instructions come from years of tattooing experience. Your new tattoo looks bright and beautiful, but remember it is a controlled abrasion, treat it as the open wound that it is. Please follow these simple instructions for the next two (2) weeks to ensure a quick and successful healing process, keeping the chance of an infection to a minimum. The life of your body art is dependent upon the necessary care it receives here on out.

·      After at least two (2) hours- thoroughly wash your hands with an anti-bacterial and fragrance free soap.

·      Gently remove bandage. You can leave the bandage on overnight if you received the tattoo late in the evening.

·      Gently wash with warm water and a drop of mild antibacterial soap three (3) times per day. Use your hands and DO NOT use a washcloth or loofah. Allow to air dry or pat dry with a clean paper towel.  DO NOT rub with a cotton towel.

·      After allowing it to dry for about 5 minutes, massage a thin layer of ointment to the tattoo. Use a clean paper towel to dab away excess. Apply three (3) times a day after washing the tattoo clean. Repeat for the next three (3) days. DO NOT use petroleum based products, they don’t allow the skin to breathe but do allow for bacteria to collect on the area we need to heal. There is no need to re-bandage.

·      After the third day switch to using a skin lotion that is free of fragrance, dye, lanolin, alcohol, aloe, or vitamin E. This will alleviate the itchy sensation as the skin is healing.

·      It is possible you may have small scabs, flaky skin, minor swelling, or redness. Allow the skin to fall off naturally. DO NOT SCRATCH, RUB or PICK AT ANY SCABS

·      The tattooed area may feel sore like a sunburn for the first few days, this is normal. Excessive swelling, redness, oozing, foul odor, discomfort, or discoloration may be signs of an infection. In case of adverse reactions stop using the products on your skin and contact a medical professional immediately to address. Always follow your doctor’s advice.

·      DO NOT SOAK YOUR TATTOO EXCESSIVELY Getting your tattoo wet in the shower is fine, but avoid submerging your tattoo under water for two (2) weeks.

·      Also avoid tanning beds and the gym while the tattoo is healing. Avoid touching the healing tattooing between cleanings. Do not allow others to touch your new tattoo.

·      If you work in a particularly dirty environment you should fully bandage the tattoo again to protect it from the surrounding elements.

·      Avoid coming in contact with animals, sick people, and crowds. Be cautious of your hands becoming contaminated while in public spaces such as the airport, gym, public transit, shopping store, money, food, etc. Avoid contact with other’s bodily fluids.

·      It can take 2-4 weeks for a tattoo to fully heal. The healing process will depend on your skin type, on the aftercare product you use, the size, position, and style of the tattoo.

·      After your tattoo is healed, use sun block with SPF-50 or higher when your tattoo is exposed to the sun for periods of time.

If you have any questions, feel free to call.