CARING FOR YOUR TATTOO...
Our job is done, now it's your turn... not looking after your tattoo properly could result in loss of quality, even infection, so you should follow these instructions carefully.

Do NOT listen to your friends or anyone who thinks they have a better idea!

Right after getting your tattoo:

• Keep bandage on for 1-2 hours.
• Remove bandage and wash gently with mild soap and warm water.  Make sure to wash any blood spots that may have dried onto your tattoo. This will help keep it from scabbing. Pat dry with a clean paper towel.                                  DO NOT RE-BANDAGE!!!

      
The first two days:

• For the first 2 days you want to keep your tattoo clean and dry.  Wash with a gentle, preferrably fragrance & dye free soap, at least 2 to 3 times a day!!  At this point there is no reason to put anything on your tattoo.  Your body is doing the work for you...

    
The third day and on:

• On the 3rd day, your tattoo should start shedding and peeling.  At this point, you want to start using a fragrance-free, dye-free moisturizing lotion.  Only apply a thin layer of lotion to the tattoo, so that it remains moisturized, not sticky or slippery with lotion.
• Do not use any fancy creams, hippy potions, or perfumed lotions.  Lotions with too much extra chemicals/fragrances may only irritate your tattoo and possibly cause unecessary complications during the healing period.  We recommend that you use simple lotions such as Curel or Lubriderm.  You do not need antibiotic ointment. 
• Keep your tattoo moisturized until all of the dead surface layers of skin have fallen off.  You may want to continue moisturizing the tattoo periodically, as keeping your skin moisturized is just good for your skin... And your tattoo!
• When your tattoo is healed, using a 30 SPF sunblock or higher while you're in the sun will help prolong the life of your tattoo.

WHAT NOT TO DO...

• Your tattoo will get itchy.  Do NOT pick or scratch at your tattoo!  You will damage it if you do!
• For the first week, no baths, pools, jacuzzis, rivers, lakes, oceans... NO soaking of any kind! ONLY SHOWERS.
• No direct sun or sunbathing while your tattoo is healing!

 

 

WHAT TO EXPECT...

A normal healing tattoo....

• May be tender or itchy for a few weeks.
• May be swollen.  An ice pack applied to the swollen area will help alleviate the swelling.  An over the counter anti-inflammatory such as Advil, Aleve or Motrin may also help reduce swelling.

**At any sign of infection, contact your local doctor immediately.

**If you have any questions, call us at 808-742-8888**