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1.  CLEAN YOUR TATTOO - You can remove the bandage after three hours, but no more than twelve hours at the maximum. We DO NOT recommend removing the bandage until you can properly clean your tattoo with mild soap and warm water. Be sure to thoroughly clean off the tattoo by rinsing it well with cold water; this includes the slimy coating that may have formed over the tattooed area while underneath the bandage. Gently pat it dry with a clean paper towel and let it air-dry for ten minutes.

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2.  APPLY HEALING OINTMENT - Thoroughly massage a very small amount of healing ointment on the tattoo to keep it moist. DO NOT smother it with ointment; use just enough to give the tattoo a slightly satin shine. Then, blot the tattoo with a clean paper towel and do not leave excessive ointment on the skin. Your skin will absorb all of the ointment that it needs. For the next three to seven days, thoroughly clean and apply ointment to your tattoo every six hours, or three to four times daily. Be sure to blot the excess fluid that may be secreted from the tattoo in between cleaning. You do not want extra moisture to get trapped under the ointment by blotting and air-drying after every washing. Apply ointment for as long as it takes for your tattoo to start peeling. During this stage, the tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn. DO NOT scratch or pick at the cracked, flaky skin!

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3.  PEELING PHASE - DO NOT apply any more ointment once you reach the peeling phase. It is common that your skin will become extremely itchy. However, you can use a good quality, fragrance-free lotion (Lubriderm for Sensitive Skin) three times daily. Repeat each day until your skin returns to it's normal texture. If you feel a heavier lotion is required to prevent over drying in between application, we recommend that you use a lotion like Lubriderm for Normal to Dry, or Dry Skin. Please be aware that if you start to get pimples in the tattooed area during this phase, you need to decrease lotion application times or change lotions. 

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4.  SCAB PHASE - Scabs are the body’s natural way of protecting wounds while they are healing. HOWEVER, it is very important to maintain the appropriate aftercare to PREVENT scabs from forming. They can prolong and complicate the healing process or potentially lead to uneven healing and scarring. The first signs of scabbing are usually moisture bubbles that appear during the first few days of a new tattoo. This can be caused by negligent cleaning or over application of ointment. If this happens to you, be sure to clean the tattoo thoroughly and allow it to completely dry. DO NOT soak the tattoo. Apply ointment to the areas of the tattoo that do not have bubbles and allow them to dry on their own. If scabs do form during the full peeling phase, apply lotion to the entire area and make sure to thoroughly massage into the skin. DO NOT over apply of soak the scabs with lotion. Also, DO NOT prematurely remove or pick at any scabs. 

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DIFFICULT & SLIMY HEALS

1.  Clean your tattoo as explained above.

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2.  Cover the tattoo completely with a new piece of plastic wrap when it is dry to the touch. Use tape as needed to hold the plastic wrap in place. DO NOT use any healing ointment or moisturizer. 

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3.  Keep the tattoo completely covered with plastic wrap for the next one to three days for 24 hours. It is extremely IMPORTANT to thoroughly wash the tattoo every four to six hours, except at night time for a maximum of 8 hours or after any period of sweating. Let it completely air dry after washing and be sure to apply a new piece of plastic wrap each time. Once the tattoo no longer forms a slimy coating underneath the wrap, you can stop wrapping it and switch to applying ointment. 

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4.  DO NOT over-wrap the area because covering areas of untattooed skin can cause excess moisture which can lead to a MOISTURE RASH. This can also occur if the wrap is not changed often enough. A moisture rash will appear as bright red irritation with tiny pimples in the affected area. It is likely that the rash will feel painful and itchy. If this happens, ice the area for no longer than 20 minutes at a time while it is covered with the wrap. If this does not relieve the pain or itching, unwrap the area, clean and let it completely dry, switching to using ointment ONLY on the tattooed area. This will allow the moisture rash to clear up before applying ointment or lotion to that area.

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WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO AFTER A TATTOO

 

1.  DO NOT submerge or soak the healing tattoo in water. Avoid saunas and sweaty environments until the tattoo has finished flaking and peeling. Therefore, limit yourself to short showers that DO NOT allow steam to build up on bathroom mirrors

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2.  DO NOT swim until the flaking and peeling is naturally gone by itself which normally takes about two to three weeks (the Texas health department lists that there should be at least a two week waiting period).

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3.  DO NOT expose your tattoo to sun or other forms of UVA/UVB radiation while it's healing (this includes tanning beds). It can significantly increase your risk of scarring because it's still an open wound. Also, be aware that there is an increased risk to skin cancer because the skin is extremely vulnerable during any healing process. 

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4.  DO NOT participate in any workout or physical activity heavier than walking, especially if the new tattoo is in a direct sweat zone of the body. It is also important that a fresh tattoo is not exposed to the sun or dirty environments. 

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AFTER A TATTOO

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1.  Resume normal water activities after all of the flaking and peeling is gone.

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2.  Resume the use of sunblock on the tattooed area after all of the flaking and peeling is gone. It is VITAL to apply a sunblock of at least 60 SPF every two hours as listed by FDA regulations (be sure to let the application of sunblock dry completely). Please be aware that sunblock of 100 SPF and higher is available. Sunburn could permanently damage or fade your healed tattoo.

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3.  If you MUST tan, use a minimum of 60 SPF on your tattoos because tanning will make your tattoos look dingy. 

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4.  Resume light to moderate cardio after all of the flaking and peeling is gone. You can resume muscle specific training involving the tattooed area when the collagen returns to the skin which can take roughly three to four weeks. It is important to allow complete return of elasticity to the skin. 

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5.  It is important to keep the skin healthy. Moisturize daily and stay hydrated (8 glasses of water a day – 64 fl. oz. or 2 liters). The healthier the skin, the better the tattoo will look. Exfoliating and/or shaving the hair on the tattooed area will also make the tattoo look better.