The life of your tattoo is dependent upon the care it receives within the first few days… it takes about 4-10 days for initial healing, and another 2-6 weeks to settle in (depending on where your tattoo is and how well you heal and take care of it).
1. Remove tattoo bandage after 4 hours (do not leave the wrap on for more than 12 hours).
2. Wash tattoo gently with cool, soapy water (unscented & non-abrasive soaps work best such as Pears or regular Ivory bar soap).
3. Rinse thoroughly, lightly pat dry with a clean towel.
*Repeat every morning and night until tattoo is healed*
Apply a THIN layer of fragrance free lotion (such as Lubriderm, Jergens, or Tattoo Goo) and work in well 3 to 5 times a day for the entire healing process (tattoo should be dry before putting lotion on it). DO NOT over lubricate your tattoo; however, don’t let it dry out, either. Should any seepage occur, gently dab off excess with a clean paper towel. The lotion/cream that you use on your tattoo should be new and should not be shared with others.
The tattooed area may be sore for the next few days depending on the body part, how sensitive the area is, and how long your tattoo session was. Within the first week, your tattoo should start peeling. Minor scabbing and itchiness may occur – just remember to not scratch or pick at your tattoo.
DO NOT re-bandage your tattoo
DO NOT use Vaseline or petroleum jelly
DO NOT use polysporin (unless your tattoo gets badly infected)
DO NOT use alcohol or peroxide
DO NOT pick or scratch your tattoo
DO NOT soak tattoo in tub or shower- get in, get clean, get out!
* Stay out of pools, hot tubs, oceans, etc. for at least two weeks
* Keep tattoo out of direct sunlight and/or tanning beds. Use sunblock (spf 40 or higher) on exposed tattoos when going outdoors.
* Please use COMMON SENSE! Treat your tattoos as you would an open wound. Keep your fresh tattoos as clean as possible so that it won’t get infected:
- avoid touching it without washing your hands first (this includes other people besides you)
- avoid letting your pets near a fresh tattoo and don’t let them lick at it –don’t let pets sleep in your bed while your tattoo is fresh
- clothing that is covering a fresh tattoo should be clean - change your clothing (where tattoo is covered) if you are sweating profusely (excessive sweating may cause breakouts)
- avoid dust and dirt and rubbing a fresh tattoo against something that may be dirty (for example, if your tattoo is on your wrist/forearm, avoid resting your arms against an armchair or desk/table especially if you have pets in the home)
* There will be seepage (blood, plasma, excess ink) the first few days and nights of healing so it’s a good idea to either change your bedsheets/blankets or cover them with something you don’t care too much about –as long as they are CLEAN while your tattoos are still fresh—Tide seems to be the best detergent to get dried ink out but may not always work. . .
