Aftercare

SUGGESTED TRADITIONAL AFTERCARE FOR TATTOOS

You will need:

- Dial Gold soap (pump is preferred) or non-scented antibacterial pump soap

- Bactine Pain Relieving Cleansing Spray (or store brand equivalent)

- A&D healing ointment, or Aquaphor healing ointment 

- Seran wrap to protect against direct contact if cannot be avoided

1. Remove Seran (cling) wrap in a CLEAN bathroom after 2-3 hours. Bandage may be left on overnight if it feels comfortable and secure. If the bandage is removed on the first night, the tattoo may stick to or stain bed sheets. Maintain clean bedding throughout the healing process (about 2 weeks).

2. After removing seran wrap, wash the tattoo immediately with warm water and antibacterial soap. I recommend Dial Gold soap out of a pump bottle. *No soap with fragrance moisture beads or scrubs.

PROCESS FOR WASHING A FRESH TATTOO:

1. Carefully remove any wraps and tape/adhesive residue, preferably before getting into the shower. Make a lather in your hand with soap and warm water. 

2. Gently clean tattoo using a circular motion, until all ointment, blood, and lymphatic fluid are removed Rinse the tattoo and wash once again, gently, until the skin is clean

Let tattoo COMPLETELY AIR DRY before applying any ointments or lotions.

3. Only use CLEAN HANDS to wash your tattoo. NO washcloths, bath towels, bath sponges or loofahs on a fresh tattoo.

4. Once the tattoo is dry, spray with Bactine (Pain Relieving Cleansing Spray). Allow this to air dry into your tattoo. Bactine does contain some percentage of Lidocaine based on percentage purchased, so numbness or slight stinging is normal. Once your skin has completely air dried, apply a small amount of A&D healing ointment, or Aquaphor. Apply a thin layer and rub it in, then dab excess off with a clean paper towel if necessary. Use the ointment for the first 3-4 days then switch to a regular FRAGRANCE FREE lotion such as Aveeno, Lubriderm, or any other fragrance free brand.

5. Fresh tattoos sometimes “weep” during the first couple of days, meaning that plasma and ink form a thin moist coating on the skin. This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel. Press the paper towel to the skin and remove. Do not wipe the tattoo or be rough with it. Do not panic when you see the colors of the tattoo on the paper towel, or on your hands as you clean it. This is simply excess ink being sloughed from the surface or the skin.

6. Once a day, in the shower, is usually enough cleaning for any new tattoo. Consult your artist if you plan to do any strenuous activity within the first ten day of having your tattoo. Lotion may be applied to the tattoo as it dries out; however if your skin is extremely sensitive, lotion may cause acne- like break outs. This can be taken care of by reducing the number of lotion applications per day.

7. Wear loose, preferably cotton clothing over the fresh tattoo. The tattoo need not be re-bandaged except in certain, rare instances. A bra strap, tight waistband, sweaty gym shoe or itchy cotton sweater can potentially create healing problems. Consult your tattoo artist for advice on what clothing to wear/avoid. If you choose to re-bandage your tattoo after washing be sure that only fresh clean wraps are used.

8. After a few days, the tattoo will begin to form flaky scabs that will fall off on their own. DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR TATTOO. Keep it lightly moisturized and the scabs will slough eventually. Your “scabs”will be the color of the tattoo, this DOES NOT mean your tattoo is coming off. It normally takes 2-4 weeks for a tattoo to completely heal.