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WASHING YOUR TATTOO
-Your first wash happens right after you remove your bandage. -Wash 1-3 times a day depending in how dirty the area gets. -Use unscented antibacterial soap such as Dial gold, Dove or Dr. Bronners. Bar or liquid soap are both fine. -Avoid applying the soap directly to the tattoo. Using your hands, get the soap sudsy and wash gently for about a minute. Rinse and air dry. -Do not dry with hand towel. You can dap dry with a clean paper towel if you are in a hurry.
LOTION / AFTER BANDAGING
-Your body heals the tattoo not the lotion. -The lotion is for keeping your skin from drying out too much and keeping the healing tattoo more comfortable. In fact, you can wait up to 3-4 days after getting the tattoo before putting it on. But that's personal preference. -Apply unscented lotion 1-3 times a day. -Apply very thin layer of lotion, your skin shouldn't be shinny. Less is more. -Recommendation lotions are Cetaphil, Lumberderm and coconut oil. You can also use specific aftercare cream, but it does the same thing and costs way more. We do not recommend aquaphor or other petroleum based products. These are often applied too thickly and can suffocate the skin. However, if used correctly, they can be a great option especially for highly saturated tattoos.
WHAT TO AVOID
-Submerging your tattoo in water. Swimming, baths, hot tubs, saunas, etc. -These WILL make your tattoo fade fast, heal poorly and greatly raises the risk of infection. Limit showers to 10 minutes. -The sun. A sunburn will make your tattoo heal poorly. Do not put sunscreen on in the healing process, keep the tattoo covered by clothing. After it's healed use sunscreen as the sun will age the tattoo faster.
IMPORTANT -
re-bandaging your tattoo. Unless given instruction by your artist, don't do this. It doesn't need it and if you don't clean it probably, you raise your chance of infection. -healing creams/balms and antibiotic ointments- /creams. Don't use them. They make your tattoo heal poorly. However, if you have an infection seek professional help and follow their instruction. If they say use anti-biotic cream use it. -Scented lotion/ soap. Avoid these, they make your tattoo heal poorly and your skin can have a bad reaction from them.
Scratching/Itching/Picking
Let your scabs do their thing. If your tattoo itches you can gently slap it (it really works) or scratch around the area. -Tight clothing. Tight clothes add extra friction and can rub off scabs, irritate the skin and in extreme cases cause pressure blowouts.