Tattoo Aftercare

YOUR TATTOO IS AN OPEN WOUND AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH

The most important thing is to always wash your hands before touching the tattoo.

Before you leave the shop your fresh tattoo will get a bandage.  Leave the bandage on 30 minutes to an hour, and then remove it.

Wash and Treat
After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and liquid antibacterial soap (like Dial or Soft Soap) to gently wash away all ointment, blood, plasma, and to completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. It is best to use your fingertips. If your tattoo feels slimy then you are oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible .

After washing pat (do not rub) the area with a CLEAN paper towel until dry. Follow with a very light application of A&D Ointment (rub it in, not on).  Ink Fix or Tattoo Goo would also be acceptable.

**Do not use Neosporin (or anything else your homeboy tells you). You can have an allergic reaction to Neosporin (or any other antibiotic ointment). It causes little red bumps and when the bumps go away, so does the ink.

DO NOT RE-BANDAGE THE TATTOO

Continue to was and apply ointment 3-5 times a day for 4-5 days.

After 4-5 days the tattoo will be healed enough to use lotion instead of ointment.  The lotion can be used liberally to stop itching.  Lotion should be dye and fragrance free. I recommend Lubriderm, but it can sting a little when applied.  Vaseline Intensive Car or Jergens can be used also.

Bathing, Showering, Hot Tubs, and Swimming
Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo. It's OK to get your tattoo wet - just don't soak it. Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so you'll want to avoid those for 2-3 weeks, but showering is perfectly fine as long as you don't saturate your tattoo. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, just remove it quickly with water. Swimming - whether it be a pool, fresh water or salt water - should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.

Scabbing and Peeling
After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing, don't pick, and don't scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!

Protection from the sun
After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always want to protect it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sun block.