Aftercare - Tattoos

At the end of your tattoo session, a piece of cellophane wrap will be placed over the tattoo. This should be left on for a minimum of one hour. When you remove the wrap, wash your hands thoroughly, clean the tattoo with water and lather up with a nonperfume, plain soap such as Dove, Ivory, Liquid Lever 2000,or Liquid Dial. Proceed to rinse off will hot water, to open pores, then with cold water, to close pores. Pat dry, then rub a small amount of Tat Wax or Lubriderm Unscented on to the tattoo area twice daily. Do NOT use Tat Wax or Lubriderm more than twice a day because it may heal your tattoo too fast causing the color to fade. Avoid getting your tattoo wet while healing. *This is the only time you wash or cover your tattoo until fully healed.

Be sure not to wear new articles of clothing over the new tattoo because the dye may draw out color and/or cause infection during the healing process. Wear loose, soft, comfortable old clothing. (Be aware that some ink will still come out of your tattoo during the first night and can leave marks on your clothing, bed sheets etc.)

Avoid swimming pools because the chlorine may fade the tattoo during the healing process.

To prevent fading AVOID sunlight, tanning beds, saunas, Jacuzzis, and whirlpools as excessive heat and light dries out the skin and will fade the tattoo.

Avoid perfumes, colognes, make-up, lotions, gels, and anything near your tattoo because it may irritate it.

Avoid scratching your tattoo while healing. This may remove new healing tissue and with it color. It could also possibly leave scarring. Slap it instead! To help with itchiness you can use Blue Preparation H.

Avoid wearing clothes that will rub directly on the newly tattooed area. For example wear low socks after having a tattoo done on your ankle. Your tattoo will scab or flake up a little during the healing process and if these flakes or scabs are rubbed off it may remove some color.