TATTOO CARE INSTRUCTIONS
There is a wide variety of opinion about what is the best aftercare for ensuring the best results for your new tattoo. Considerations
include not only the speed and cleanliness in healing your new tattoo, but also the method that results in obtaining the best color. Your
tattoo artist will have something very definite to say about aftercare, and it is probably a good idea to listen to him/her.
A tattoo normally takes 7 to 10 days to heal. There is no idiot proof instructions for the care and healing of a tattoo, but we think if you read and follow our suggestions below, that you'll have an excellent chance of making sure that your new tattoo will be the best that it can be!
1. Bandaging your freshly done tattoo. When your tattoo artist has finished applying your tattoo he or she will typically "wipe" the tattoo down with soap, then apply a thin coat of Vitamin A&D ointment, then bandage it. Depending on the size of the tattoo, this may be done with a simple gauze bandage or multiple bandages and medical tape.
2. How Long Before I Can Remove the Bandage? Naturally, most people want to remove the bandage to show off their new tattoo right away. But you want to wait at least a couple hours. Principally, this is to allow the traumatized skin to heal and the "oozing" (lymphatic fluid and blood) to stop flowing. These fluids may drain and collect in the bandage for an hour or more on a fresh tattoo.
After a couple of hours remove the bandage. Once you have removed the bandage, clean your new tattoo well with a mild, non-abrasive soap and warm water. DO NOT SCRUB - but your tattoo is not as delicate as you might think either. Clean it well -- massage and remove the excess ink and dried fluid and be sure to remove the residue of any A&D ointment that may have been applied.
3. If you are exposing your tattoo in the shower, do not let the full force of the shower spray directly onto the newly tattooed skin. Let the shower spray run indirectly over your body to wash the tattoo. You will also find that a lukewarm shower is more comfortable and will not "sting" your new tattoo. Hot water and steam opens the skin's pores and can cause greater loss of pigment during the healing process.
4. After you have cleaned your tattoo and before stepping out of the shower, turn the temperature to ice-cold and let the water run indirectly over your new tattoo for 30 to 45 seconds -- this closes the pores and prevents further drainage and in our personal experience feel generally results in better healing, and for a color tattoo, retention of color pigment. Then gently pat the tattooed area dry.
5. Do not leave the bandage on to long. Keeping freshly tattooed skin wrapped tight for more than 3 hours frequently can lead to skin rashes and your tattoo breaking-out all "pimply" -- the bandage should protect the tattoo only while the natural body fluids drain, then exposure to air is needed for your skin to heal properly. Remember, the purpose of the bandage is principally to collect the seepage of body fluids in the first couple of hours after the tattoo has been completed. Unless you are engaged in work where there is a great likelihood that dirt, grease and other contaminants may come in direct contact with your new tattoo, it is not necessary to re-bandage it. And if you do have that type of potential exposure at work, etc., it is better to cover your tattoo with loose-fitting, protective clothing, rather than a new bandage.
6. Care the First Week. Care is pretty simple thereafter. You don't need to re-bandage the tattoo. In fact, that would simply prolong the healing time -- and risk scabbing and loss of color if you are applying a gauzy type bandage (they tend to "stick" to the skin, and promote the creation of thicker scabbing on the tattoo). Instead, simply moisturize the tattoo lightly with a lotion - no more than 2 or 3 times a day.
7. We recommend using a mild lotion for the first 2 or 3 days and gently massage a small amount into the tattoo. IMPORTANT: DO NOT SLATHER YOUR TATTOO WITH ANY CREAMS OR LOTIONS! Doing so will cause the skin to pucker, scab more heavily and almost certainly result in loss of pigment. It is sufficient to lightly moisturize the skin when it "feels" dry. This will also help prevent itching.
NOTE: With that said, everybody's skin is different - using the above as guidelines, experiment and stick with what works best for you.
Clothing: You will also want to be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing that will not rub against the tattoo, especially in the first 2 or 3 days of healing. It is better to keep your freshly tattooed skin exposed to the air during the healing process if at all possible, and if not, to avoid tight clothing that can "stick" to the tattoo, or clothing that will cause you to perspire where you have been tattooed, etc..
DO NOT PICK at your new tattoo. Ideally, the skin will form an "onion-peel" like a sun burn. Allow this to slough-off naturally while bathing -- and some will dislodge when you gently rub lotion into the Tattoo.
KEEP IT CLEAN! By stating the obvious, remember, especially the first day or two, the tattoo is an open wound until a skin barrier is formed again. So, avoid things like letting your pets lick the freshly tattooed skin (they will naturally be attracted to the smell). Don't touch your tattoo yourself if you have not washed your hands. Don't go out and lean your tattoo on bar and tables surfaces, theatre seats, handrails, etc. and be conscious that you are still healing.
When sleeping with your new tattoo, one way to avoid the freshly tattooed skin from "sticking" to your bed sheets is to liberally sprinkle baby powder onto them. It will not hurt your tattoo and will prevent you from sticking to the sheets like you would with a gauze bandage. You may also want to buy a special set of bed linens to use for sleeping during the first few days after you are tattooed and reuse them in the future if you plan on getting more work or if your tattoo is of a size that it will only be completed with multiple sessions. A set of black cotton sheets works great when sleeping with a freshly healing tattoo.
8. Moisturizing. This cannot be over emphasized …. DO NOT OVER MOISTURIZE YOUR TATTOO. As indicated above, ointments and petroleum-based products delay the healing process and do not let the skin "breathe". Similarly, slathering your body with lotions on your tattoo continually will also delay healing, lead to heavier scabbing and potential loss of color from your new tattoo.
Moistening should be "light" - a thin coat in the morning, and in the evening. Primarily this will help to prevent itching and help slough off the thin "onion peel" like skin that forms over a new tattoo much like a sun burn.
9. Scratching and Picking - DON'T!! Like a bad sunburn during the healing process you may find that your tattoo "itches". It doesn't take a rocket scientist to assume that scratching and picking at your tattoo is bad. Resist picking at the scab that forms over your tattoo will result in loss of color. Even if your tattoo does not "scab" resist the urge to "peel away" the onion-peel like layer that will form over your tattoo as it heels. This is natural, and it will slough-off in the shower or when you bathe it by itself. Also, a time-tested remedy to relieve the itching should you experience it is simply to "slap" the area that itches repeatedly. Rubbing alcohol can also temporarily relieve itching.
10. What to AVOID! Once it is healed, there is very little that will really screw up a tattoo. The one big exception is prolonged exposure to UV light, i.e., sunlight and tanning beds.
DURING HEALING AVOID:
Bathing: During the first 48-72 hours, care should be taken while bathing. Soaking in a hot tub is not a good idea! The hot water will draw impurities (including tattoo ink pigment) out of your skin. Similarly, a hot shower or a steam-room will have the same effect -- take a lukewarm shower and minimize your time in the shower with a new tattoo and do not let the shower spray beat on the tattooed skin directly.
Swimming: Swimming in chlorinated pools and salt-water swimming should be avoided for the first week or so (as should soaking in a Jacuzzi, or even your own bathtub at home). While neither pool chlorine nor salt-water will affect a healed tattoo, both are sources of bacteria and other impurities that could infect your new tattoo. But, after the first few days, the surface over the tattoo (absent scabbing) is relatively pervious and it is ok to swim. If, however, you are scabbing, water will tend to swell the scab, loosen it and perhaps cause some loss of pigment. A much greater danger to your tattoo is the prolonged exposure to sunlight that is associated with swimming.
THINK AHEAD -- if you are a sun-worshipper and aren't going to change, then perhaps you should consider more seriously getting black/grey or Tribal-style work which generally withstands sun exposure much better than color work does.
ENJOY YOUR NEW TATTOO! Have any questions, give us a call!
A tattoo normally takes 7 to 10 days to heal. There is no idiot proof instructions for the care and healing of a tattoo, but we think if you read and follow our suggestions below, that you'll have an excellent chance of making sure that your new tattoo will be the best that it can be!
1. Bandaging your freshly done tattoo. When your tattoo artist has finished applying your tattoo he or she will typically "wipe" the tattoo down with soap, then apply a thin coat of Vitamin A&D ointment, then bandage it. Depending on the size of the tattoo, this may be done with a simple gauze bandage or multiple bandages and medical tape.
2. How Long Before I Can Remove the Bandage? Naturally, most people want to remove the bandage to show off their new tattoo right away. But you want to wait at least a couple hours. Principally, this is to allow the traumatized skin to heal and the "oozing" (lymphatic fluid and blood) to stop flowing. These fluids may drain and collect in the bandage for an hour or more on a fresh tattoo.
After a couple of hours remove the bandage. Once you have removed the bandage, clean your new tattoo well with a mild, non-abrasive soap and warm water. DO NOT SCRUB - but your tattoo is not as delicate as you might think either. Clean it well -- massage and remove the excess ink and dried fluid and be sure to remove the residue of any A&D ointment that may have been applied.
3. If you are exposing your tattoo in the shower, do not let the full force of the shower spray directly onto the newly tattooed skin. Let the shower spray run indirectly over your body to wash the tattoo. You will also find that a lukewarm shower is more comfortable and will not "sting" your new tattoo. Hot water and steam opens the skin's pores and can cause greater loss of pigment during the healing process.
4. After you have cleaned your tattoo and before stepping out of the shower, turn the temperature to ice-cold and let the water run indirectly over your new tattoo for 30 to 45 seconds -- this closes the pores and prevents further drainage and in our personal experience feel generally results in better healing, and for a color tattoo, retention of color pigment. Then gently pat the tattooed area dry.
5. Do not leave the bandage on to long. Keeping freshly tattooed skin wrapped tight for more than 3 hours frequently can lead to skin rashes and your tattoo breaking-out all "pimply" -- the bandage should protect the tattoo only while the natural body fluids drain, then exposure to air is needed for your skin to heal properly. Remember, the purpose of the bandage is principally to collect the seepage of body fluids in the first couple of hours after the tattoo has been completed. Unless you are engaged in work where there is a great likelihood that dirt, grease and other contaminants may come in direct contact with your new tattoo, it is not necessary to re-bandage it. And if you do have that type of potential exposure at work, etc., it is better to cover your tattoo with loose-fitting, protective clothing, rather than a new bandage.
6. Care the First Week. Care is pretty simple thereafter. You don't need to re-bandage the tattoo. In fact, that would simply prolong the healing time -- and risk scabbing and loss of color if you are applying a gauzy type bandage (they tend to "stick" to the skin, and promote the creation of thicker scabbing on the tattoo). Instead, simply moisturize the tattoo lightly with a lotion - no more than 2 or 3 times a day.
7. We recommend using a mild lotion for the first 2 or 3 days and gently massage a small amount into the tattoo. IMPORTANT: DO NOT SLATHER YOUR TATTOO WITH ANY CREAMS OR LOTIONS! Doing so will cause the skin to pucker, scab more heavily and almost certainly result in loss of pigment. It is sufficient to lightly moisturize the skin when it "feels" dry. This will also help prevent itching.
NOTE: With that said, everybody's skin is different - using the above as guidelines, experiment and stick with what works best for you.
Clothing: You will also want to be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing that will not rub against the tattoo, especially in the first 2 or 3 days of healing. It is better to keep your freshly tattooed skin exposed to the air during the healing process if at all possible, and if not, to avoid tight clothing that can "stick" to the tattoo, or clothing that will cause you to perspire where you have been tattooed, etc..
DO NOT PICK at your new tattoo. Ideally, the skin will form an "onion-peel" like a sun burn. Allow this to slough-off naturally while bathing -- and some will dislodge when you gently rub lotion into the Tattoo.
KEEP IT CLEAN! By stating the obvious, remember, especially the first day or two, the tattoo is an open wound until a skin barrier is formed again. So, avoid things like letting your pets lick the freshly tattooed skin (they will naturally be attracted to the smell). Don't touch your tattoo yourself if you have not washed your hands. Don't go out and lean your tattoo on bar and tables surfaces, theatre seats, handrails, etc. and be conscious that you are still healing.
When sleeping with your new tattoo, one way to avoid the freshly tattooed skin from "sticking" to your bed sheets is to liberally sprinkle baby powder onto them. It will not hurt your tattoo and will prevent you from sticking to the sheets like you would with a gauze bandage. You may also want to buy a special set of bed linens to use for sleeping during the first few days after you are tattooed and reuse them in the future if you plan on getting more work or if your tattoo is of a size that it will only be completed with multiple sessions. A set of black cotton sheets works great when sleeping with a freshly healing tattoo.
8. Moisturizing. This cannot be over emphasized …. DO NOT OVER MOISTURIZE YOUR TATTOO. As indicated above, ointments and petroleum-based products delay the healing process and do not let the skin "breathe". Similarly, slathering your body with lotions on your tattoo continually will also delay healing, lead to heavier scabbing and potential loss of color from your new tattoo.
Moistening should be "light" - a thin coat in the morning, and in the evening. Primarily this will help to prevent itching and help slough off the thin "onion peel" like skin that forms over a new tattoo much like a sun burn.
9. Scratching and Picking - DON'T!! Like a bad sunburn during the healing process you may find that your tattoo "itches". It doesn't take a rocket scientist to assume that scratching and picking at your tattoo is bad. Resist picking at the scab that forms over your tattoo will result in loss of color. Even if your tattoo does not "scab" resist the urge to "peel away" the onion-peel like layer that will form over your tattoo as it heels. This is natural, and it will slough-off in the shower or when you bathe it by itself. Also, a time-tested remedy to relieve the itching should you experience it is simply to "slap" the area that itches repeatedly. Rubbing alcohol can also temporarily relieve itching.
10. What to AVOID! Once it is healed, there is very little that will really screw up a tattoo. The one big exception is prolonged exposure to UV light, i.e., sunlight and tanning beds.
DURING HEALING AVOID:
Bathing: During the first 48-72 hours, care should be taken while bathing. Soaking in a hot tub is not a good idea! The hot water will draw impurities (including tattoo ink pigment) out of your skin. Similarly, a hot shower or a steam-room will have the same effect -- take a lukewarm shower and minimize your time in the shower with a new tattoo and do not let the shower spray beat on the tattooed skin directly.
Swimming: Swimming in chlorinated pools and salt-water swimming should be avoided for the first week or so (as should soaking in a Jacuzzi, or even your own bathtub at home). While neither pool chlorine nor salt-water will affect a healed tattoo, both are sources of bacteria and other impurities that could infect your new tattoo. But, after the first few days, the surface over the tattoo (absent scabbing) is relatively pervious and it is ok to swim. If, however, you are scabbing, water will tend to swell the scab, loosen it and perhaps cause some loss of pigment. A much greater danger to your tattoo is the prolonged exposure to sunlight that is associated with swimming.
THINK AHEAD -- if you are a sun-worshipper and aren't going to change, then perhaps you should consider more seriously getting black/grey or Tribal-style work which generally withstands sun exposure much better than color work does.
ENJOY YOUR NEW TATTOO! Have any questions, give us a call!
606-679-0002