Tattoo Aftercare

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traditional tattoo aftercare around fayetteville nc

Traditional Tattoo Aftercare

So you need to read the things explained to you on 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 these products’ magic. The way you use these products is what really will help your tattoo heal properly. How “Well Is Cleaned” after you use the soap and “How Much Ointment“T you APPLY to it? It is what will make the difference in your tattoo healing process!

  • Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
  • Leave the bandage on for 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.
  • Rinse it 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 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, cleaning your hand with a paper towel, and repeating until your skin doesn’t have any shiny or excess of ointment.
  • DO NOT re-bandage your tattoo (if 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.

Tattoo Aftercare With Wrap

Tattoo Aftercare with Wraps Like, Second Skin, Saniderm, Derm Shield, Recovery Derm Shield, or any of this type of wraps.

Instructions:

  1. Leave the Saniderm bandage on for 3-5 days. When it’s time to remove it, hop in the shower. Just peel the Saniderm slowly, and it’ll come off. Oh, and guess what? You can even shower with Saniderm on!
  2. Give your tattoo a gentle wash with lukewarm water and non-scented antibacterial soap. Use your hands only, no scrubbers or washcloths. Clean it until all the blood and plasma are completely gone.
  3. Gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel or paper towel. Let it air dry for 2-5 minutes.
  4. Time for some lotion love! Apply only non-scented lotion to your tattoo. Steer clear of ointments or petrolatum based products, though.
  5. Keep up with the washing routine! Wash your tattoo 3-4 times a day. And after let it dry and apply a little layer of lotion.
tattoo aftercare with wrap in fayeteville nc
tattoo aftercare in fayetteville nc

No matter how talented the tattoo artist is, your tattoo’s final appearance has a lot to do with your tattoo aftercare. 

There are so many different opinions and thoughts about how to care for tattoos. 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 skin fully recovered by the 6th day, and another person that takes nearly a month to heal fully.

Remember is an open wound, and you need to treat it as such. That means always washing your hands before applying anything to it and making sure you don’t expose it to unnecessary dirt and grime. With that said, here are the specifics you should keep in mind on how to take care of your new ink.

General Tattoo Aftercare For The First Weeks

Thank you for taking the time to read how to heal and take care of your new ink. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us!

The first week or two after you get your tattoo can make or break how amazing looks for the rest of your 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 ink 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.

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. Especially if you have a black and grey tattoo because those light shades can get messy pretty easily by non-proper care. 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!!

Ensure air can get to your Tattoo no matter what you are doing, which means keeping clothing loose and skipping shoes and socks if your new ink 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.

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!


While a shower maybe is okay, do not go swimming during the first few weeks. Pools contain too many bacteria that can lead to infections, and swimming pools have chlorine with will fade your ink. 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.


If you expose you it 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 Ink, it will feel like your skin is cooking from the inside and will irritate it.

Okay — you’ve just gotten a great new piece, so what are you going to do — go out and play football? STOP AND THINK FOR A SECOND… you just paid the 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!!!

If the above gets ignored, don’t be upset when your new Tattoo has an infection, you brought it upon yourself! We feel that if you read and follow the instructions we explain you here, 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 or contact your Tattoo Artist as soon as possible. It’s a possibility that it is infected!

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