Tattoo Aftercare
You have just received a professionally performed tattoo using sterile equipment and single-use needles. Please respect your artist’s work and your investment by taking proper care of your new piece of art.
During the entire healing process, always wash your hands with a liquid antibacterial hand soap before touching your tattoo.
After Getting Your New Tattoo:
You will leave with a bandage on your tattoo. Remove the bandage after one to two hours. Wet the bandage with warm water for easy removal, if necessary. Do not re-bandage your tattoo.
For the first three days:
Wash the tattoo with liquid antibacterial hand soap, such as Dial™ or SoftSoap™, using only your fingertips and washing off any leftover ointment and plasma. Do not allow the shower to spray directly onto the tattoo. Rinse with cool water to tighten the pores, and allow to air-dry for five minutes.
Apply an acceptable tattoo ointment, such as A&D Ointment ™or Miraculous Creations tattoo ointment. Use a very small quantity and make sure the entire tattoo is covered with a thin film of ointment.
Repeat these steps three to four times a day for the first three days.
Day 4 and Beyond:
Discontinue use of ointment and switch to unscented hand lotion, such as Lubriderm™, Keri™, or Eucerin™. Continue to wash tattoo twice daily as instructed above. If you feel a burning sensation upon applying lotion, switch back to ointment for a day or two.
The tattoo will begin to flake and peel. Reapply lotion after every cleaning and whenever it feels dry or itchy, but do not scratch your tattoo or pick the scabs!
It may take 5 to 10 days after you switch to lotion for the skin surface to return to normal.
Helpful Hints:
Do not pick off scabs or flaking skin. Let nature do this for you.
Do not scratch the tattoo; you can rub or pat it to reduce the discomfort. The healing tattoo will itch for a few days due to new skin growth and body hair re-growth.
During the first three days, clothing rubbing on the tattoo (especially during sleep) may cause your tattoo to dry out or scab. Take extra care to keep your tattoo clean and moist during this time.
The healing period of a tattoo can vary from one to three weeks. Until you have completely healed, it is very important that you do not expose your tattoo to sunlight, salt water, chlorinated pools, hot tubs, or spas. Do not soak it in any water for long periods of time.
To keep your colors looking bright and your tattoo looking good for a lifetime, apply a strong sunblock (not suntan lotion) to the tattoo every time you are in the sun. The sun will fade the color from your tattoo!
Consult a health care professional if you develop unexpected redness, swelling, rash, drainage, or fever within 24 hours of receiving your tattoo. Infections are most often caused by improper aftercare, and allergic reactions are possible.
If you have any questions or concerns about your tattoo, please call or come in.
We appreciate your business!
Rose and Phil Andlauer, Jesse Fiske,
and Your Tattoo Artist
