General:

It is very important to care for your new tattoo properly during the healing period. Never touch the tattoo or the area around the tattoo with dirty hands. Try to wear clean, loose fitting clothes that allow the tattoo to breath and does NOT rub on the tattoo. Do NOT swim or soak in any natural water source such as streams, rivers or ocean until your tattoo is healed. Do NOT expose a new tattoo to direct sunlight it will fade the color.

Specific:

Leave the bandage on for two (2) hours. Wash your hands before touching the tattoo. Remove the bandage and wash your tattoo. The best place to wash your tattoo is in the shower. Using your fingertips wash your tattoo thoroughly removing all surface debris such as ink, plasma and blood. (Do NOT use a wash cloth on a healing tattoo; it is too rough for the tender healing skin) Use a mild fragrance free soap such as glycerin soap. When the tattooed skin feels like normal wet skin, pat dry with a fresh, clean paper towel. Do not soak the tattoo while washing it. Apply a small amount of mild fragrance free lotion to your tattoo whenever the tattoo feels dry. I recommend Curel Daily Moisture Therapy Lotion, Fragrance Free. Remember to wash your hands before applying lotion. Rub the lotion COMPLETELY into the tattoo; do NOT leave globs on the surface. Remember less is more. Reapply lotion to your tattoo 3-4 times a day or when it feels dry. During the healing process your tattoo will flake and peel. The lotion helps prevents drying and cracking that can result in loss of ink. Continue to wash your tattoo daily and apply lotion as needed until healed. Peeling skin is normal just do NOT pick or scratch it! If your tattoo itches slap the skin around the tattoo to relieve itching. Healing time varies, usually 1-3 weeks. If an infection occurs, contact your tattoo friendly physician. While infections are unlikely, they do occur. It begins in a small area looking puffy and grayish.

Life time tattoo care:

Always use a sun screen or sun block on your tattoo. Direct sun will eventually fade your tattoo. Consistent care and protection of your tattoo will keep the lines sharp and colors bright!