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AFTERCARE

Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo and remove bandage after 2-3 hours.

Wash the tattoo using a mild unscented soap (ex. Dove soap bar) and warm water. Take care to remove all traces of blood and plasma as this will cause scabbing.

Use your clean hands and do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth during the two-week healing period. Pat it dry with a clean paper towel. When the tattoo is completely dry, apply a very thin coat of ointment to the tattoo. Too much ointment traps germs into your new tattoo which can potentially lead to infection. There should be just enough to keep the tattoo moist and to keep it from scabbing.

We recommend using Webbers for the first three days and switching to a non-scented daily moisturizer such as Aveeno for the remaining two weeks.

Repeat the cycle of washing, drying, and applying Webbers Vitamin A First Aid ointment (blue) to the tattoo about 3-4 times per day for the first 3 days (while the tattoo feels tender).

Ointment can be applied whenever the tattoo is feeling stiff or dry but beware of over-moisturizing. Your body will absorb what it needs where it needs it. Apply moisturizer 2-3 times a day for the remainder of two weeks. Do not use lotions that contain color or fragrance at all until the healing is complete.

We recommend you saran wrap your tattoo for the first night or two to stop your tattoo from sticking to the bedding.  We recommend having clean bedding, especially if you have pets at home.  Wear clean, soft clothing that will not irritate or scratch your new tattoo. 

After 3-4 days, your tattoo will begin to peel.  Do not pick at your tattoo and continue using unscented moisturizer 2-3 times daily.

People heal differently. You may experience some swelling, itching, burning and tightness during healing. Tightness may remain after healing. Bruising, tenderness, discoloration and/or swelling are not uncommon at first, but prolonged soreness, excessive swelling or redness, or discharge (pus) may indicate an infection.  If these symptoms persist, contact your tattoo artist.

Keep your tattoo moisturized! 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, scratch or pick at your tattoo, you will pull the ink out!) and it is perfectly normal to see small flakes of colored skin falling off during this stage of healing.

Keep your tattoo clean! However, long showers or baths must be avoided for 2 weeks. Prolonged soaking can affect the healing of your tattoo. This includes long showers (over 10 minutes), swimming in the ocean or a pool, hot tubs, and saunas.

Avoid sun exposure to your fresh tattoo as much as possible.  Sunburn on a new tattoo can cause scarring, fading and scabbing.  Wait until your tattoo is fully healed before exposing it to the sun.  Never put sunblock on a tattoo that is still healing.

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