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Your tattoo has been done under clean, professional
conditions using the utmost modern sterilization techniques and the finest
tattooing pigment available.
Now it’s up to you to take proper care of it. The chance of infection or damage to your new tattoo is minimal if aftercare instructions are followed correctly.
· Leave the bandage that you received after the tattoo for 2-6 hours (No more than 10 hours) This bandage is there to keep air-borne bacteria and other contaminants in the environment from invading your wound.
· Before cleaning or touching the tattooed areas, WASH HANDS thoroughly with soap and warm water. Treat your new tattoo as an open wound.
· Carefully remove the bandage. If it sticks, gently wet any applied bandage and gently pull off so as not to damage any scabs or dried matter.. Don’t force it’s removal!
· After removing the bandage, cleanse the area with mild soap and water then rinse. Do not scrub the tattoo or rub with washcloth or towel. Pat dry with a clean dry towel.
· Let the tattoo dry completely (aprrox. 10 min)
· Lightly apply a thin layer of acceptable aftercare products:
* Mild medicated ointments such as Bacitracin
* Vitamin A&D ointment
* Specialty tattoo products such as Ink Fixx
· You do not need to re-bandage.
· For 3-5days, make sure the tattoo is kept very clean and apply ointment 3-4 times a day by cleansing any old ointment an applying a thin layer of fresh ointment –(only enough to make the skin shiny). Do not allow your tattoo to become dry. If scab does form, do not pick at it, but allow it to heal on it’s own.
· Don’t panic if you have a reaction to your aftercare product. You may be sensitive to one of the ingredients. Although not a major problem, it does happen, The skin can react in a few ways from redness to irritable itchy skin to white pimple like spots. If this occurs, stop using your aftercare product. Lightly wash off the remaining product from your skin. A reaction to a product should settle down within 24-72 hours. If you are still experiencing a problem after 14 days, it would be doubtful that the aftercare product was to blame and it may be your have had a reaction to the ink. This is possible even if you have been previously tattooed without any problems. (Should this occur contact the studio for advise from the artist. It may also mean a visit to your physician if the problem persists)
· After 3-5 days, switch to a fragrance free lotion or gentle moisturizer as needed until completely healed. It is best to use a moisturizer with aloe or vitamin E as this will help heal damaged skin. Regularly moisturizing a tattoo helps to keep the skin soft and the colors bright. Also, the sun can irreversibly damage even a well healed tattoo so remember to use a good sun block with strong SPF when spending time outdoors.
· Healing generally takes 14 days in a normal healthy adult. As it heals, expect peeling similar to sunburned skin.
· Itching is expected. DO NOT SCRATCH THE TATTOO!
Do
not use
Vaseline or other petroleum jellies
Do
not use heavily
medicated antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin
Do
not use
iodine, peroxide, or alcohol based product
Most problems or
irritations occur from:
· Scratching or itching a new tattoo.
· Tanning or swimming before the tattoo is healed
· Using inappropriate amounts
or types of aftercare products.
You may expect some
slight swelling, redness and discomfort around the site.
If any of the
following symptoms appear promptly consult a health care provider:
-Unusual
drainage
-Excessive
bleeding
-Excessive
pain / discomfort
-Excessive
swelling/ redness/ feeling that skin is hot to touch
-Temperature
greater than 101°F within 24 hours of the tattoo