A tattoo isn’t complete or permanent until it's healed. 

No slacking on your part.

(Simplified for convenience.)

 Wash your hands before you touch your new tattoo!

Remove the bandage after one hour.

 

Wash the tattoo using your fingertips or hand only. 

Use a mild antibacterial soap and warm water.  Do not scrub! Pat dry or let it air out for a half an hour to 45 minutes.

 

Apply a thin coat of ointment to the tattoo...
Aquaphor, Bacitracin, A&D Ointment or Tattoo Goo.

Dab off excess with a paper towel.

*If you can see it shiny on the surface of the skin, there's too much.*

​If it's still glossy after 10 minutes, dab off more.

 

There is no need to re-bandage the tattoo.

Wash and apply ointment 2x a day for 2 to 3 days.
Switch to plain white, unscented moisturizer 2x daily for the remainder of 2 weeks.

 

Your skin will form a protective layer. It'll start to peel like a sunburn around day 4 or 5. DON'T pick at it or try to peel it! Keep up with the moisturizer regimen and leave it alone!

​

NO long showers or baths while it's healing. No pools, ocean, hot tub or saunatill all the peeling or scabbing is done.

 

It's gonna itch! Don't scratch or pick! It's normal. Slapping it with your hand is the traditional method (this will sting it and take away some of the itch)or rub it down with the moisturizer or a bit of alcohol.

 

Keep it out of the sun until it's healed! Sunblock has chemicals in it that can affect your healing! Stay out of the sun and tanning bed.  You'll live.  It's two or three weeks, not forever.

​

The sun will make it fade, especially when it's new.  Once it's healed, sunblock is your new best friend. Forever and ever.

 

Hands & Feet:

Hands and feet take longer to heal, sometimes by a week or three. No washing dishes or wearing gloves.  The same with socks and shoes. Make sure sandal straps don't rub it.  It's not healed yet and it can fade drastically before the skin grows over it.

​

 

 

Overdoing any tattoo with ointments, especially in the beginning, can promote heavy scabbing. Once it enters that cycle it's too late. Cut back to moisturizer once a day. Applying more or heavier coats will just make it soggy, which causes the scab to get thicker.  Then it's a waiting game.

​

Check with your artist if you have any questions or concerns. Sure, your friends will have advice, but they don't do this every day and they can't guarantee your tattoo if you stray from the aftercare. 

 

I guarantee all of my work, Cause if you don't look good, I don't look good. :)  One touch up is available within 3 months of the original date at no cost.