HEALING YOUR TATTOO

• Leave the bandage on for 3 to 12 hours depending on the size of the tattoo. During this time, please try to resist the urge to peel off the bandage and show everyone you see.  This tattoo is permanent, you’ll have the rest of your life to show it off. 

 

• After this, you can remove the bandage (if it is difficult to remove because of the tape, warm water or a shower can help).

 

• Using only your fingertips, wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and unscented soap. Scented soap will sting.

 

• Pat, don’t scrub!, the tattoo with a dry clean soft cotton or paper towel.

 

• DO NOT re-bandage the tattoo! Let the tattoo dry out for 12-24 hours. This means no lotion but, you can still wash it. Showering is fine. 

 

• WASHING YOUR HANDS BEFORE APPLYING. Apply a VERY THIN layer of Aquaphor ointment to the tattoo or other tattoo aftercare products. A little goes a long way. Too much ointment can cause problems; just a dab will do. Work it in well. Dab off all the excess with a paper towel. There should be just enough to keep the tattoo moist and to keep it from scabbing or cracking. Do not re-bandage the tattoo.

 

• Wash, pat dry, and re-apply the ointment, as instructed above, 3-4 times a day for four days. 

 

• After the fourth day, switch over to using a plain white non-scented lotion 4 to 5 times a day or as needed when your tattoo becomes dry and flaky, which is normal at this stage.  (Be advised: scented lotions can cause irritation- aka burn like hell-fire).  Continue using lotion until the tattoo is completely healed. Ointment can be applied whenever the tattoo is feeling stiff or dry but beware of over-moisturizing. Your body will absorb what it needs where it needs it. Apply ointment twice a day for two to three days then switch to a regular *Unscented* Lotions such as Eucerin, Lubriderm, Curel, or Jergens. Apply moisturizer twice a day for the remainder of two weeks. Do not use lotions that contain color or fragrance at all until the healing is complete. (Usually anywhere from ten days to two weeks; Possibly longer for slower healers.

 

• Typical healing time is 7 to 14 days, although it can take a full month for the skin to be fully healed. You must keep your tattoo moisturized! When the tattoo is kept moist it doesn't have a chance to form a scab but does form a thin membrane to protect the tattoo while it heals. This layer peels off very similar to a sunburn (do not peel your tattoo, you will pull the ink out!) and it is perfectly normal to see small flakes of colored skin falling off during this stage of healing.

 

• Avoid submerging your tattoo in water until the initial healing process is over (once flakiness and scabbing has ceased).  Showers are okay...and recommended! Prolonged soaking can and will loosen scabs if any have formed, or will soak through the soft tissue turning it into a soggy mess and cause your ink to flow down the drain. This includes swimming in the Ocean or a Pool, Hot Tubs, and Saunas. Short showers are best, under ten minutes if possible

 

• Remember, the sun is BAD for your tattoo! Whether the tattoo is new or old, if you want it to look nice and heal properly, keep it out of the sun. A sunburn on a new tattoo can cause a lot of problems. It will dry out your tattoo and could cause it to form a horrendous scab resulting in fading before it is even healed. It will also take much longer to heal completely and promotes scarring in a new tattoo. Wait until it is fully healed to go back in the sun or a tanning bed and make sure you put on a high quality sunblock. Never put sunblock on a tattoo that is still healing. Wait until it is fully healed before going into the sun. 

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•  Following all of these simple steps will ensure that you end up with the best result with minimal complications and your tattoo will stay looking bright and beautiful for many years to come. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.