Tattoo Healing Instructions
You are going to spend a solid week caring for, and protecting your tattoo. Tattoos that heal properly will not fade. You don’t want that beautiful tattoo you are so proud of, looking dull and faded a week later so you must follow these instructions very closely. If you have any problems with your tattoo please feel free to get in touch with me either by phone or email.
- Never scratch a healing (itchy) tattoo
- Keep it out of sunlight (and tanning beds)!!!
- Do not soak or allow to absorb water
- No swimming pools
- No ocean
- No scented lotions
After You Leave the Studio
The plastic needs to stay on until you stop bleeding which is usually a few hours. Don’t take it off until you are in a clean environment where you can properly wash and clean your tattoo of blood and excess ink. Use unscented anti-bacterial soap and warm water. Lightly use your hand to rub soap on and wash it off. Then dry it by dabbing it with a towel (there will still be blood and ink on your skin that will get on the towel).
After washing it will begin to dry up and feel tight. When this happens, begin applying a thin layer of Aquaphor. Continue applying the Aquaphor when you notice that it’s dry, with clean hands. It may still be excreting some fluids, and you may want to loosely wrap it with a cotton shirt or cloth before bed.
The first week
Your tattoo should keep drying up and stop releasing fluids. This is good news! As it begins to peel (like a mild sunburn would) apply a non scented, plain moisturizing lotion (Lubridirm or Currel works well). It will start to itch, especially if it is in a hairy area, BUT you wont itch it. Got that? No itching. As it starts to peel you’ll want to put lotion on top of the peeling skin taking care not to remove the peeling skin. It will come off by itself, DO NOT peel it off. As tempting as it is, it will dramatically effect your healed tattoo.
The First Month
No direct sunlight. If you have to be in the sun, put on the highest SPF possible. No swimming in any body of water. No swimming pools, hot tubs, or the ocean. The skin is still regenerating and water gets inside the skin, blurs the ink, and will sometimes pull it out of the skin. At this point you’ll want to call me, schedule a follow-up session or come back so I can take a picture of your healed tattoo.
