Tattoo AfterCare
BOOK NOWAFTERCARE FOR YOUR NEW TATTOO
I will like to start by telling you that the final healing result of your NEW TATTOO is not only on my hands.
So you need to read the things explained to you in this page and GET IT DONE If you care and want to get the best results. With this said, here is my second and more recommended tip for you.
THE PRODUCTS you use (SOAP AND OINTMENT) are not so crucial as THE WAY YOU USE THEM.
That means that because you use the best cream or soap out there, your tattoo will not heal well by the magic of these products. THE WAY you use these products is what really will help your tattoo heal properly. How GOOD IS CLEANED after you use the soap and HOW MUCH OINTMENT you APPLY to? It is what will make the difference in your tattoo healing process!
- Always wash your hands before touch your tattoo.
- Leave the bandage on 3 or 4 hours, or you can also leave it overnight.
- Remove the bandage after 3 or 4 hours or in the morning if you leave it overnight.
- Wash your tattoo with mild soap and water.
- Rince the tattoo with plenty of water to make sure all soap is gone.
- Dry it by using a paper towel and leave to dry a few minutes in the air.
- Apply a very skinny layer of ointment to your tattoo and massage it entirely into the skin 3 to 4 times a day for the first three days.
- Remove any excess of ointment by dabbing off with the palm of your hand and clean your hand with a paper towel and repeat until your skin doesn’t have any shiny or excess of ointment.
- DO NOT re-bandage your tattoo ( in case your veteran tattoo person you can do what you know works well for you)!
- DO NOT pick or scratch your tattoo.
- DO NOT soak your tattoo in water, use hot tubs, pools, sauna, or swim in the sea for two weeks
- DO NOT get any direct sunlight on your tattoo for at least two weeks.
FAILING TO FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS CAN AFFECT YOUR HEALING TIME AND PREVENT THE TATTOO FROM LOOKING ITS BEST.
If you want more specifics details or have any doubts, please read down below, or you can also contact us by calling 786.210.58.13 or at the form at the bottom of this page.
No matter how talented the tattoo artist is, the final appearance of your tattoo has a lot to do with your tattoo aftercare.
There are so many different opinions and thoughts about how to care for a new tattoo. These are just what we have noticed to work best for our clients, but if you are an “advance veteran” when it comes to tattoos, we recommend you stick to what you know helps your body heal best, DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS!!!!
A tattoo typically takes around two weeks to heal, depending on the client, for example, I have seen some people tattoo fully recovered by the 6th day, and another person that takes nearly a month to heal fully.
First and foremost, remember that a tattoo is an open wound, and you need to treat it as such. That means always washing your hands before applying anything to the new tattoo, and making sure you don’t expose it to any unnecessary dirt and grime. With that said, here are the specifics you should keep in mind on how to take care of a new tattoo.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A FRESH TATTOO ON THE DAY YOU GET IT!!
WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE ANY CONTACT WITH YOUR NEW TATTOO!!
1. When you leave the studio with your fresh tattoo.
You will be bandaged up typically with plastic wrap or gauze. Take it off after an hour or two and clean with a liquid Anti-Bacterial Soap, make sure soap is diluted excessive soap can also burn and irritate your skin, so make sure you rinse it with plenty of water.
Dry it using a paper towel or clean towel. Give it a few minutes to dry before applying the ointment provided (best way to know it’s dry is a sensation of the fresh tattoo feeling “tight”; that typically means that the new tattoo needs some ointment). Usually, a Tattoo Studio is a very sterile environment. So that being said, the outside world is a filthy place, so PLEASE keep your tattoo clean. It is essential to clean your tattoo, what we are trying to say is GET IT CLEAN!
Typically clean it between 2-4 times per day (depending on how active you are) for the first three days since these early days are the most critical part of the healing process. Some clients are almost “afraid” to clean it because it hurts, but keep in mind, if you don’t get in there and massage and lather the tattoo, you’re not doing anything at all. I’m are not telling you to go insanely and scrape off the layers of your skin, but just trying to ensure you CLEAN YOUR FRESH TATTOO!
2. Apply Ointment for the first 3-4 days.
Make sure you have clean the tattoo before applying the new layer of Ointment. Make sure to put a skinny layer of Ointment that means almost nothing. The best way to know if you have the right amount is as follows: if you have your skin all shiny and greasy, it means you have WAY too much Ointment on it. If so, gently dab it dry with the palm of your hand or a paper towel. Clean the palm of your hand to remove all that excess of Ointment with a paper towel. And repeat until all the residue of Ointment is gone. The leftover ointment will still be in your pores, so there’s no need to reapply after dabbing.
After four days, start applying a non-scented lotion (fragrance-free) for 1 or 2 weeks or until the tattoo does not feel dry. The best way to know if you do not need to apply any more ointment and switch over to a non-scented body lotion is when a thin scab forms. That means that your body has created a “protective layer” and does not require a heavier ointment. Please still clean your tattoo regularly.
GENERAL TATTOO CARE FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS
The first week or two after you get your tattoo can make or break how amazing your tattoo looks for the rest of life, so don’t take any chances. Here are some tattoo aftercare tips for you we think you shouldn’t ignore:
The care during this time is relatively simple. The standard rule we tell everyone is, “if it hurts more than when you initially got the tattoo, STOP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING!” If it hurts, DON’T DO IT! You do not need to re-bandage your new tattoo (even though there are techniques on caring for the new tattoo that involves wrapping it for the entire healing duration). But we feel it is more for the Tattoo Veteran than first-timers, mostly because if the instructions get not followed precisely, it can lead to terrible results.
SLEEP CAREFULLY
First, never go to bed on expensive sheets the first few nights with a new tattoo. Sometimes you will wake up to an imprint of the Tattoo on your sheets that will not come out, so get a spare set of cheap sheets for the first few nights. Additionally, let your Tattoo breathe as you sleep. Keep it exposed, if at all possible, so if it is on your back, for example, sleep on your stomach!
WEAR LOOSE CLOTHING
Make sure air can get to your Tattoo no matter what you are doing, which means keeping clothing loose and skipping shoes and socks, in case your new Tattoo is on your feet. Be sure to wear loosely fitted clothing that will not rub against the new Tattoo, especially before the first five days. If you can, keep it exposed to air and avoid clothing that can stick to or irritate the fresh Tattoo. If you can’t keep it exposed to air, wear loose, soft clothing.
DO NOT PICK SCABS AT THE NEW TATTOO!
You surely know that picking scabs can lead to scars, and your Tattoo is no exception. Let your scabs fall off on their own, so you don’t cause permanent damage to your skin, and therefore, your Tattoo. If you have itchy skin or scabs, let them fall on their own. The body is healing; it does not need our fingers to help to do so! “SMACK” Keep those picking hands off!!
SKIP EXCESSIVE WATER
While a shower maybe is okay, do not go swimming during the first few weeks. Natural bodies of water contain way too many bacteria that can lead to infections, and swimming pools have chlorine. Excessive SWEATING should also be avoided, such as heavy workouts, steam baths, and saunas. THAT BEEN SAID, NO POOL, NO OCEAN, NO JACUZZI TIME!!!
The heat and steam will do the same as being underwater. Your pores will open, and chances of having a faded tattoo are more predominant. Take lukewarm or semi-cold showers. That will help the pores stay tight, and you will not lose the color.
STAY OUT OF THE SUN
If you expose your Tattoo to the sun during the initial healing process, you risk fading, skin damage, uneven healing, and scars. If you have to go in the sun, wear loose clothing over your Tattoo—or worst-case scenario, a sterile, non-stick bandage. A fresh tattoo is a sensitive area. When direct sunlight or UV rays hit the Tattoo, it will feel like your skin is cooking from the inside and will irritate the new Tattoo.
EXTREME ACTIVITIES!
Okay — you’ve just gotten a great new tattoo, so what are you going to do — go out and play football? STOP AND THINK FOR A SECOND… you just paid a right amount of money for a tattoo you’re proud to wear, why go and mess it all up?! Two weeks away from the beach, pool, sunbathing, sports, safari hunting, and any crazy stuff won’t hurt you! Take and ensure you’ll heal safely and cleanly!!!
FINALLY
If the above gets ignored, don’t be upset when your new Tattoo has an infection, you brought it upon yourself! These instructions are not “idiot-proof,” but we feel that if you read and follow the instructions, you should have a relatively fantastic heal! Remember, you paid a lot of money for your Tattoo, and since you followed the proper tattoo aftercare advice, you will have a masterpiece to show off for the rest of your life.
Keep an eye out for inflammation, swelling, fever, muscle aches, general weakness, pain, discharge, red streaks/red halo, or foul odor. If you show any of these symptoms on the 4th or 5th day, you may want to call your Artist or Doctor. It’s a possibility that it is infected!