Tattoo Aftercare
Aftercare Instructions
Tattooz Ink
1690 California Street
(530) 221-1063
Bathing, recreational water activities, gardening, or contact with animals should be avoided for 7–10 days.
Including but not limited to redness, swelling, tenderness of procedure site, red streaks going from the procedure site to the heart, elevated body temperature, or purulent drainage from the procedure site.
These are signs and symptoms that indicate the need to seek medical care.
Soap
For all new tattoos we suggest you wash them with your fingertips with a mild, unscented liquid soap.
Wash Your Hands
Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo. Do not touch your tattoo unless you are cleaning it.
Ointments or Lotion
During the first 2–3 weeks, or until your tattoo has healed, we suggest you keep your tattoo moisturized with an ointment or lotion. Please use only the product(s) suggested by your artist.
Washing
Your new tattoo is an open wound and requires some maintenance for optimal healing results. There are many ways to care for a new tattoo and it varies from person to person. We suggest the following aftercare:
Day 1
Remove the bandage after 1–2 hours. Wash hands with warm soapy water before washing your tattoo.
Use warm, soapy water and clean hands to gently wash your tattoo with your fingertips, washing away all the protective ointment and surface blood/plasma; this can help prevent scabbing. Let tattoo air dry.
Once dry, apply a thin layer of suggested moisturizer, dabbing off any excess with a disposable towel.
Day 2 & Until Healed
Wash tattoo in the morning and let air dry for 15 minutes.
Apply a very thin layer of moisturizer. Take care not to apply too thick; this will cause your tattoo to weep and lose pigment.
Mid-afternoon, wash and moisturize your tattoo.
Bedtime, wash and moisturize tattoo. Continue to wash and moisturize tattoo 2 to 3 times a day until healed.
Average healing time is 2 to 3 weeks.
Helpful Tips
- During the healing process, eat a nutritious diet, avoid stress and get plenty of rest. Taking a vitamin/mineral supplement with meals may promote healing.
- Wearing constrictive clothing can irritate the tattoo.
- Do not take your friends’ advice.
- Air promotes healing; overuse of ointments can damage your new tattoo.
Things to Watch
Excess swelling, draining, rash, elevated body temperature, or if tenderness and redness persist.
If you notice any of these symptoms, or have any questions regarding your new tattoo, please contact us or a physician. We’ll be happy to help and offer suggestions based upon our years of experience.
You’ve been tattooed in a modern studio by highly trained professionals who adhere to the strict standards of proper clean procedures and application.
Once the tattoo is completed, it’s up to you to care for it properly. Any touch up work to the tattoo that is needed due to your own negligence will be done at your own expense.
Follow the aftercare guidelines carefully and your new tattoo will heal somewhat like a sunburn, with the top layer of skin peeling after 3 to 4 days.
Harmful to the Tattoo
- Scratching and picking – this will greatly damage your new tattoo. Allow all scabs to fall off on their own.
- Soaking or submerging your new tattoo in water will cause it to heal light and splotchy. Avoid soaking in the tub, hot tub, lakes, rivers or swimming pools until your tattoo is healed. Poor water quality and high bacteria presence can infect your new tattoo.
- Avoid direct sunlight and/or ultraviolet rays until your tattoo is healed. (No tanning)
- Applying an improper amount of ointment or lotion.
- Minimize contact with animals and wash your hands after handling pets.
- Keep a clean environment by wearing clean clothing and sleeping with clean bedding.