Tattoo Aftercare
Remove the bandage after one hour, two maximum. All wounds need to breathe
if they are to heal properly.
•Wash the tattoo using your fingertips or hand only.
•Use a mild antibacterial soap and warm water.
Take care to remove all traces of blood as this will cause scabbing. Do not
scrub the tattoo with a washcloth during the two week healing period. Always
gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean soft cloth or just let it air dry.
•Apply a thin coat of ointment to the tattoo|
•Aquaphor, A&D Ointment and tattoo Goo are all very good.
(Just enough to make it shine, a little goes a long way...) Work it in well.
Dab off all the excess with a paper towel. You should barely be able to tell
that it's there... This is just enough to keep the tattoo moist and to keep
it from scabbing. Too much ointment will only suffocate the tattoo and liquefy
any scabs that may have formed causing the ink to fall out and look blotchy.
There is no need to re-bandage the tattoo. Aquaphor, A&D Ointment, Tattoo
Goo and Vitamin E Oil can all be very good for your new tattoo.
•Ointment should be applied whenever the tattoo is feeling stiff or dry.
Normally, between three to five times a day for three to four days then switch
to a regular moisturizer like Keri, Lubriderm, Curel, Jergens, or Vaseline
Intensive care. Do not use lotions that contain color or fragrance or sparkles
until the healing is complete. (Usually anywhere from ten days to two weeks;
Possibly longer for slow healers.)
•Your skin will form a protective layer no matter what you do. If you do
not keep it moist, it will form a thick, hard scab that may crack when you
move. When you form this kind of a scab the ink sits within it and slowly
heals into the skin. When the tattoo is kept moist it doesn't have a chance
to form a scab but does form a thin membrane to protect the tattoo while it
heals. This layer peels off very similar to a sunburn (do not peel your tattoo,
you will pull the ink out!) and it is normal to see small flakes of colored
skin falling off during this stage of healing.
•You must keep your tattoo clean, however, long showers or baths must be avoided
for 2 weeks. Prolonged soaking can and will loosen scabs if any have formed,
or will soak through the soft tissue and cause your ink to flow down the drain.
This includes Swimming in the Ocean or a Pool, Hot Tubs and Saunas. Short
showers are best, under ten minutes if possible.
•Please refrain from scratching or picking at the tattoo. Scrubbing with a
washcloth can be very harsh on a tattoo and will cause your colors to fade.
It is normal for the tattoo to become very itchy during the healing time.
To relieve this, spray the tattoo with rubbing alcohol or slap it with your
hand (this will sting it and take away the itch).
•No but's about it, the sun is BAD for your tattoo.
even if you've had it for a long time. A sunburn on a new tattoo can cause
a lot of problems. It will dry out your tattoo and cause it to form a horrendous
scab much of the time causing the tattoo to fade before it is even healed.
It will take much longer to heal completely. It promotes scarring in a new
tattoo. Wait until it is fully healed to go back in the sun or a tanning bed
and make sure you put on a high quality SUNBLOCK. (Do not apply sunblock while
the tattoo is healing.) The tattoo is under your skin, and your tan will form
above it. If you get too dark, some colors (white, yellow, pink, and orange)
may not show up as brightly as they could. Over time, excessive exposure to
sunlight will cause your tattoo to fade no matter what colors are used.
•Just a note:
Remember that hands and feet reproduce skin cells much faster than other parts
of the body. A tattoo in these areas will sometimes take an extra two weeks
to heal. During this time refrain from washing dishes, wearing gloves, or
wearing socks and shoes (sandals must not rub the tattoo). Any friction of
this type WILL wear away the tattoo within a very short period of time.
Tattoos in these areas are almost never guaranteed.
Piercing Aftercare
Most piercing's are very easy to take care of, with a little common sense.
Keeping bacteria off your piercing is the most important. Everything our hands
come in contact with carries live bacteria. Examples: The door you opened
to come in, the money you will pay me with, the countertop you might lay your
Q-tip on to apply medicine. If you follow these instructions, you should have
no problems.
1.Your piercing should be washed twice a day, usually in the shower so that
any scabs will dissolve.
2.Neosporin should be used for the first week and a mild saline solution the
second week(table salt and warm water).This will start your body into healing
itself.
3.A mild healing solution can be used occasionally such as "Bactine"
or "Betadine." But always remember if you contaminate the area the
medicine will not work.
Good examples are:
If you lay on the couch with a fresh navel piercings exposed you will get
the bacteria from the couch on the piercing.
If you are getting an ear piercing you should consider the last time you cleaned
your phone.
Some problems that occur may not even be associated with an infection. Being
to rough with a piercing could include wearing pants that rub the area, sleeping
on your stomach with a fresh navel piercing, these could lead to the development
of scar tissue.
Healing time depends on the individuals, average time should be 6 to 8 months,
if you are having problems with it, it will take longer. If you eat a perfect
diet, get lots of sleep, and don't play with it you will heal much faster.
This is a general care sheet, it's intended to give the most amount of people
the best results. If you are having any problems by all means come and see
us. If you like the work that is done here tell a friend.