Please consider that everyone heals differently and each tattoo should be given the appropriate attention to aftercare every time. It should not be assumed that all heals will be the same even if you have previously been tattooed! The following aftercare is a general guide for the average heal. However, when necessary, you may have additional steps which will be addressed during your session.
1. Clean your tattoo. Remove the bandage after three (3) hours, but no more than twelve (12). DO NOT remove the bandage until you can properly clean the tattoo *Dial Liquid Gold Antibacterial Soap and warm water. Rinse it well with cold water, thoroughly cleaning off all of the slimy coating or crusty, dried blood,etc that may have formed over the tattooed area while underneath the bandage. Gently pat it dry with a clean paper towel, then allow it to air-dry for ten (10) minutes.
Repeat this 2-3 times per day ( no more than 5 times per day) for the first 2 days, especially after getting sweaty or dirty if you cannot avoid that due to work reasons.
2. After the first 2 days are over , sparingly, but thoroughly, massage a very small amount of unscented water based lotion ( unscented daily moisturizer ) (Lubriderm, Aveeno, Jergens, CerAve, Curel, Eucerin etc) into the skin to keep the tattoo slightly moist, but NOT smothered. Use just enough lotion to give the tattoo a slightly satin shine, and blot with a clean paper towel. Your skin will take in all the lotion it needs, so do not leave excessive amounts of lotion on the skin. For the next three (3) to seven (7) days, apply lotion to your tattoo every six (6) hours, (about 3-4 times daily), blotting the small amount of excess fluid that may be secreted from the tattoo in between cleaning.Ensure that extra moisture doesn’t get trapped under the lotion by blotting and air-drying after shower or wash. Apply lotion for as long as it takes for your tattoo to peel or become flaky, usually three (3) to seven (7) days. When the peeling begins, the tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn. AT ALL COSTS avoid picking at the cracked and flaking skin.
3. You are now in the peeling phase. The area will become dry and itchy, sometimes very itchy. Repeat lotion each day (3-5 times per day) until the skin returns to its normal texture.
If you get any pimples in the area tattooed during this phase, you need to decrease lotion application times or switch down to a lighter or different lotion.
4. Scabs are the body’s natural way of protecting wounds while they are healing. HOWEVER, it is very important to maintain the appropriate aftercare to PREVENT scabs from forming as they can prolong and complicate the healing process which can lead to uneven healing and even scarring.
The first signs that may lead to scabbing often are moisture bubbles that appear during the first 3-5 days of a new tattoo, usually caused by negligent cleaning or the over application of lotion. At the first signs of these, clean the tattoo thoroughly and allow to completely dry. Do not waterlog (soak or sog) the tattoo. Only apply lotion sparingly to the areas of the tattoo that do not have bubbles, allowing the bubbles to dry on their own.
If scabs do form, once the tattoo is in the full peeling phase, sparingly apply lotion to the entire area making sure to thoroughly massage and not over apply or soak scabs with lotion. Any developed scabs should not be picked at or prematurely removed.
DIFFICULT & SLIMY HEALS
1. Clean your tattoo as explained in the previous section.
2. When the tattoo is dry to the touch, cover it completely with a new piece of plastic wrap, using tape as needed to hold it in place. Do not use any healing ointment or moisturizer.
3. For the next one (1) to three (3) days, the tattoo is kept completely covered with plastic wrap, 24 hours a day. It is crucially important to wash the tattoo every four (4) to six (6) hours, except at night for a maximum of 8 hours, or after any period of sweating. Let it completely air dry after washing. Apply a new piece of plastic wrap each time. After the tattoo no longer forms a slimy coating underneath the wrap, and just body moisture is left, it is okay to cease wrapping and switch to applying lotion.
4. It is also important not to over-wrap the area as covering large areas of untattooed skin can trap excess moisture. Too much plastic wrap on the surrounding skin - or not changing the wrap often enough - can lead to MOISTURE RASH. This will appear as bright red irritation with tiny pimples in the affected area, and will likely feel painful and itchy. If this happens, ice the area for no longer than 20 minutes at a time while it is covered with the wrap. If this does not relieve the pain or itching, unwrap the area, clean and let it completely dry, switching to using Aquaphor Ointment ONLY on the tattooed area.
WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO AFTER A TATTOO SESSION
1. The healing tattoo should never be submerged or soaked in water. (tubs, jacuzzis, lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc.) You should also avoid saunas, gyms or other steamy and sweaty environments until the tattoo has finished flaking and peeling. Therefore, limit yourself to only short showers that DO NOT allow steam to build up on bathroom mirrors.
2. Do not swim until the flaking and peeling is all gone naturally by itself. Usually this takes around two (2) to three (3) weeks. The Tennessee health department lists that there should be at least a two (2) week waiting period.
3. While your tattoo is healing, do not allow it to be exposed to sun or other forms of UVA/UVB radiation including tanning beds. This significantly increases your risk of scarring as the tattooed area is still an open wound. Also be aware that there is an increased risk to skin cancer as the skin is highly vulnerable in any healing condition.
Refrain from any workout or physical activity heavier than walking, especially in cases where the new tattoo is in a direct sweat zone of the body (armpits, elbows, knees, feet, neck etc.) It is also important that a fresh tattoo be kept out of the sun and dirty environments, as it is still an open wound.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AFTER A TATTOO IS HEALED
1. After all flaking and peeling is gone, normal activities in water can be resumed.
2. The use of sunblock on the tattooed area may be resumed after all the flaking and peeling is gone. When in the sun or swimming, it is vital to apply and allow to dry, a sunblock of at least 60 SPF every two (2) hours as listed by FDA regulations. Sun burning will permanently damage and fade your healed tattoo.
3. Intentionally tanning your skin will make tattoos look dingy. If you must tan, use a minimum of 60 SPF on your tattoos even if you choose to use other methods for the rest of your non-tattooed skin.
4. After all flaking and peeling is gone, light to moderate cardio may be resumed. However, muscle specific training involving the tattooed area may be resumed when the collagen returns to the area. This takes roughly three (3) to four (4) weeks to allow for complete return of elasticity to the skin.
5. Daily moisturizing and staying hydrated (8 glasses of water a day – 64 fl. oz. or 2 liters) keeps the skin healthy which inevitably keeps the tattoo looking good. The healthier the skin, the better the tattoo will look. Exfoliating and/or shaving/trimming the hair on the tattoo can also keep the tattoo looking better.
