Remove the bandage after one
hour, two maximum.
All wounds need to breathe if they are to heal properly.
Wash the tattoo using your fingertips or hand only.
Use a mild antibacterial soap and warm water.
Take care to remove all traces of blood as this will cause
scabbing. Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth during the
two week healing period. Always gently pat the tattoo dry with
a clean soft cloth or just let it air dry.
Apply a thin coat of ointment to the tattoo, H2Ocean tattoo
foam,
Aquaphor, A&D Ointment and Bacitration with zinc are all very
good.
(Just enough to make it shine, a little goes a long way...)
Work it in well.
Dab off all the excess with a paper towel. You should barely
be able to tell that it's there... This is just enough to keep
the tattoo moist and to keep it from scabbing. Too much
ointment will only suffocate the tattoo and liquefy any scabs
that may have formed causing the ink to fall out and look
blotchy. There is no need to re-bandage the tattoo. Aquaphor,
A&D Ointment, Bacitration with zinc, H2Ocean tattoo foam, can
all be very good for your new tattoo.
Ointment should be applied whenever the tattoo is feeling
stiff or dry.
Normally, between three to five times a day for three to four
days then switch to a regular moisturizer like Keri,
Lubriderm, Curel, Jergens, or Vaseline Intensive care. Do not
use lotions that contain color or fragrance or sparkles until
the healing is complete. (Usually anywhere from ten days to
two weeks; Possibly longer for slow healers.)
Your skin will form a protective layer no matter what you do.
If you do not keep it moist, it will form a
thick, hard scab
that may crack when you move. When you form this kind of a
scab the ink sits within it and slowly heals into the skin.
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 normal to see small flakes of colored skin falling off
during this stage of healing.
You must keep your tattoo
clean, however, long showers or baths must be avoided for 2
weeks. Prolonged soaking can and will loosen scabs if any have
formed, or will soak through the soft tissue 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.
Please refrain from
scratching or picking at the tattoo. Scrubbing with a
washcloth can be very harsh on a tattoo and will cause your
colors to fade. It is normal for the tattoo to become very
itchy during the healing time. To relieve this, spray the
tattoo with rubbing alcohol or slap it with your hand (this
will sting it and take away the itch).
Just a
note:
Remember that hands and feet reproduce skin cells much faster
than other parts of the body. A tattoo in these areas will
sometimes take an extra two weeks to heal. During this time
refrain from washing dishes, wearing gloves, or wearing socks
and shoes (sandals must not rub the tattoo). Any friction of
this type WILL wear away the tattoo within a very short period
of time.
Tattoos in these areas are almost never guaranteed.
Also: Once you leave the
shop it's up to you too take care of your tattoo / piercing.
There are some minor risk involved with any tattoo and or
piercing. It's like taking your car into the body shop
to be repainted, your going to take care of the paint job
aren't you? We are here if you ever have any questions,
concerns ect...
