-Leave your bandage on for about an hour or so after you leave the shop. If it is stuck to the tattoo, soak it with warm water and it will come off easily; DON'T JUST PULL IT OFF or you'll loose ink.
-The fist night, wash your new tattoo with warm water and anti-bacterial soap using only your hand (no washcloth). Pat it dry with a towel and don't put any ointment on it (this is just for the first night). You might want to wear something you don't mind getting stained as your new tattoo may weep ink and/or blood the first night.
-For 3 days, wash it with warm water and anti-bacterial soap twice a day. Allow it to dry thoroughly after washing, then apply a THIN coat of A&D ointment or Bacitracin.
-After three days, continue to keep it clean and moist with unscented hand lotion. Do not use a petroleum based product. I recommend Lubriderm as it's water-based and keeps your tattoo moist without being sticky.
DON'TS:
DON'T soak your tattoo under water (such as in a bathtub) until healed. DON'T use Vaseline or Neosporin on your new tattoo.
DON'T go swimming for 3-4 weeks. Chlorine will remove your color and non-chlorinated areas will allow bacteria into your wound which will cause infection.
DON'T pick at scabs. You may have scabs form when your tattoo is new. This is common, but care must be taken to not pick them or you'll pull out ink.
DON'T dry-heal. Your tattoo must be kept moist to prevent the tattoo from drying out and cracking. Cracks in your tattoo will cause lines devoid of color when it heals.
Your tattoo is a work of art that will last a lifetime if properly cared for. If you do require touch-ups, please call to schedule an appointment; touch-ups of tattoos obtained from us are free.
