AFTERCARE
These are the most crucial days in the healing process of your tattoo. Please be sure to give your tattoo your upmost care and attention during this period.
Days 1-5
Supplies to acquire/have on hand:
-Unscented Anti-Bacterial liquid soap
-Clean paper towels
-Aquaphor Healing Ointment
-Unscented Lotion
Before touching your new tattoo, always prepare your hands by lathering on unscented anti-bacterial soap and washing with warm water for at least one minute.
Once your hands are clean and sanitized, lather them up again with soap until foam forms. Use gentle circular motions over your tattoo, making sure to cover every square inch with the soap. Use lukewarm water to rinse off the soap and pat dry with a clean paper towel. Let your tattoo air dry for 5 minutes. Once the surface of your tattoo is matte and not shiny, apply a thin layer of Aquaphor over the surface. If your skin is excessively shiny, dab the excess Aquaphor with a clean paper towel.
Repeat 2x a day for the first 5 days.
By this day, you will notice that your tattoo has lost or is beginning to lose the initial tenderness and redness you experienced in the first 5 days. At this stage, your tattoo may be dry, peeling, and itchy.
Day 5-End of the healing process
Continue washing your tattoo twice a day, following the same instructions as Days 1-5. If your tattoo is peeling, you will notice small flakes of dead skin coming off as you wash. This is normal and is nothing to worry about. Be as gentle as you can, do not forcibly scrub the skin off.
Once you have completed your washing and drying process , apply a thin layer of unscented lotion to your tattoo instead of Aquaphor.
Apply lotion 2-3 times throughout the day in between your daily washes.
Repeat this process until the end of the 2-week healing process.
*If you experience any adverse effects or reactions to your tattoo, please contact your physician immediately.
IMPORTANT
Refrain from swimming in any body of water for at least 2 weeks. This also applies to taking baths or any other scenario where your tattoo would be submerged underwater. Submerging a fresh tattoo in water is incredibly dangerous and can lead to serious infection. To minimize risk, plan your tattoo accordingly.
Refrain from heavy exercise or activity. While your body is healing your tattoo, it’s best to hold off on other activities that may use your body’s healing capabilities. Sweat from exercise and gym environments can also introduce bacteria to your healing tattoo. To minimize risk of infection, wait until your tattoo has reached the end of its healing period.
Wear loose clothing with soft fabrics during the healing process. Tight fitting clothing and abrasive fabrics such as denim can irritate and affect the outcome of your healing tattoo.
Hydrate, eat well, and get plenty of rest during your healing period. Tattoos can be an intensive procedure, taking care of your body’s needs during this time helps regulate its healing process.
Minimize sun exposure to your healing tattoo. UV rays from the sun naturally break down the pigments in tattoo ink over time and although it can take years for substantial fading to take place, exposing your tattoo to the sun during its healing period can cause blisters, increased redness and irritation, excessive dryness, and affect the outcome of your tattoo.