Aftercare

Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo.

When you get home: Remove bandage within 1 - 2 hours after getting your tattoo. Do not re-bandage. Your tattoo needs to breathe, just like an open wound.

Wash your tattoo with an anti-bacterial liquid soap. Be gentle, do not use a washcloth or anything that will exfoliate your tattoo. Only use your hands.

Gently pat your tattoo dry with a paper towel. Do not rub, or use a fabric with a rough surface.

The first 3-4 days: Rub a small amount of ointment on your tattoo. You may use an unscented lotion (that does not contain alcohol). Always use clean hands and do not place your fingers back into the ointment after touching your tattoo. Make sure to rub the lotion/ointment in so that it is not shiny, or greasy– you want the thinnest amount possible. Pat off any excess ointment with a clean paper towel. Do not use Vaseline, petroleum or Neosporin. Wash, dry, and apply lotion/ointment 1-3 times daily, as needed.

On the first night, you may want to wrap your tattoo in saran wrap to prevent sticking to your bedding. Do not use any cloth bandages or pads, as the fibers of this material can adhere to your open tattoo and hinder the healing process.

After day 3 or 4: On the 3rd or 4th day your tattoo will begin to peel. This is normal! Do not pick at the skin. Begin using a mild, white, unscented lotion, free of dyes or Perfumes.

Use lotion for minimum of two weeks, 1-2 times daily.

Things to Avoid:

Do not pick, scratch, peel, slap, rub or irritate your tattoo.

You can shower, but you may not soak your tattoo for 2 weeks. No swimming, soaking, or hot tub.

You may not expose your tattoo to the sun for at least 3 weeks, after that you must use sunblock.

Do not wear abrasive materials, jewelry, or shoes that rub against your tattoo.

Do not let anyone touch your tattoo unless they wash their hands.