AftercareI will start by saying wash your tattoo four times a day ever day untill it is healed.1. After getting Tattooed leave the bandage on for atleast an hour before removing... this allows the tattoo to bleed out without your lymph drying and scabbing. 2. After leaving the Tattoo shop go buy Aquaphor, anti-bacterial liquid soap, paper towels, saran wrap, scotch or medical tape, and non-scented lotion (I recommend Aveeno, Lubriderm, or Eucerin... I advise only high grade and non-scented, dye free lotions for the after Aquaphor portion of healing... Different lotions work differently on different people)... you need all these products before removing the bandage the first time... Aquaphor can be found in the lotion section of most drug stores... its made by Eucerin... This is the only healing ointment that I recommend... let it be known I do NOT advise or approve the use of any A & D, Vaseline, tattoo goo, tat wax, ink fix, snake oil, any other crap your homey told you to use, etc... (although A & D is used during the actual tattooing process, it is NOT good for healing Tattoos). 3. When removing the bandage for the first time there will be blood, ink, and lymph (clear gelital excretion on your skin)... wash the tattooed area in HOT water (as HOT as You can stand... for larger tattoos soak in hot water for 20- 30 minutes before washing.) this will cause discomfort but will not damage the tattoo, using a damp and fresh paper towel to help pull off all the lymph, excess ink and blood... rinse this area for a few minutes with hand and anti-bacterial soap... This process pulls out all the elements that create thick scabs and will further the proper healing of your new tattoo. 4. Pat the tattooed area dry wiping only the wet areas around the tattoo with a dry paper towel. 5. Now apply a small dab of Aquaphor enough to cover the tattoo... rub this dab in with your finger tips... it is key to only apply a thin layer of Aquaphor... only use what you can rub in. A thick layer is bad. 6. Now wrap the tattoo with new saran wrap and tape just like it looked when you left the tattoo shop. 7. You are going to sleep with the wrap on... this allows for your tattoo to fully bleed out and the lymph to stay moist and not bleed into your sheets... if you sleep without the wrap any hair, loose particles, sheet lint, etc. will become a part of the scab... wrapping prevents the sheets and clothing from sticking to your new tattoo and potentially ruining part of your new tattoo... this process may make you sleep a little more uncomfortable than usual, but this is KEY to SWEET healing. 8. When you wake up remove the wrap... again you will have a gooey gelatinous layer of blood, ink and lymph... use HOT water and a damp paper towel to remove this layer of goo (do not be afraid to pull the paper towel over the tattoo... after the gooey layer is removed wash with hot water and anti-bacterial soap with your finger tips... again let the Tattoo air dry. 9. Now it is time to apply another dab of Aquaphor to the tattoo... Again do not leave a thick film of goo...you just need enough for a thin layer to be massaged into the tattoo...if you leave a thick layer you will potentially create and trap and nest for particles to get stuck to your Tattoo. 10. Every time you wash your Tattoo for the next 48 hours re-apply this small dab of Aquaphor and wrap it back up. 11.Keep Tattoo Out of Sunlight... DON'T touch the tattoo just to touch it, keep your clothes off of it, such as socks, bra straps, tight pants, etc... DON’T let your dog hump it or your friends pee on it. DON’T submerse it in water. NO pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes, streams, fiords, bodies of water of any type until your tattoo is healed. 12. After the first 48 hours you should switch from the Aquaphor to the recommended non-scented lotion... Always wash the tattoo before applying any lotion or Aquaphor. 13. If you follow these steps your tattoo will heal SWEET. The key to keeping your tattoo looking good is keeping your skin healthy. Use lotion daily, drink plenty of water and ALWAYS USE SUN BLOCK. GOOD LUCK. Please call if you have questions. Josh Hall, Tattooer. |