Tattoo Healing Instructions
Please take care of your new tattoo!
These tattoo aftercare instructions and care tips will help you heal your tattoo the best way possible.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. When you get home, wash the tattoo with soap and water. Then apply a thin layer of Aquafore.
2. Apply a thin layer of Aquafore ointment 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks.
3. Wait three weeks before returning for your following session or touch-up.
NO POOL, BEACH, BATH OR SAUNA – NO SUBMERGING IN WATER!
Please make sure to give me a call or shoot me an e-mail if you have any questions.
WARNINGS
These are some tips to help you protect your new tattoo while it heals.
- People with a vitamin D deficiency or sensitivity should use Aquafore, not A & D.
- Do not re-cover your tattoo with any type of bandage, or saran wrap.
- Do not use A & D after two days, it will be too wet for the tattoo.
- Do not scratch your tattoo. You can scratch next to it, or tap it.
- Do not submerge your tattoo in water for prolonged periods of time.
- No pools, sauna, long baths, or beach water until fully healed.
- Do not rub your tattoo with a towel. Pat it dry.
- Showers are okay.
- Working-out is okay.
- Keep it clean
- Keep it dry
MORE INFORMATION
Ultimately, it’s important to keep your Tattoo clean while it’s healing. Something as simple as hitting it on the side of a table, or letting it get too wet while bathing can affect the healing of your tattoo.
Your tattoo may scab, and it may not. Using ointment will heal the tattoo slower, and it will lessen the appearance of the scab while healing. Never use too much ointment, this can block oxygen from your tattoo, and your tattoo will need to breathe in order to heal properly.
The beach and ocean will affect healing your tattoo also. Don’t soak your tattoo in water. No submerging it at all. No pool, beach, bath, lake… no submerging in water at all. Not only will prolonged exposure to the water damage the integrity of your scab, but the salt makes the effect worse. The salt will pull color to the top, and if your scab somehow gets hit, the skin will break and some of the color will come out. Make sure that if you’re at the beach anyway, wear a loose, white long sleeve shirt, skirt or pants. This will help protect your tattoo from the sun. Tattoos that heal in the sun do not heal as bright
DO NOT USE SUNBLOCK WHILE HEALING! Sunblock could irritate your skin.
Once your tattoo is healed ( after the 2 week mark and the scab is completely gone ) It is actually a really good idea to make sure to put sunblock your tattoo for the rest of your life. This is true whether you are at the beach, or not. This is especially true for sunny places like Hawaii.
Tattoos age, and the sun makes that happen a lot quicker. Learn to love sunblock, and extend the life of your tattoos.
COMMON REASONS FOR INFECTION
The two main reasons I have seen for infection are this:
- Using too much ointment of any kind.
- Infrequent Showering.
- Prolonged, day-long exposure to dirt.
Please, use common sense. Shower every night. Don’t go on sexcapades without showering for days at a time, then wonder why your new belly tattoo is turning green.
When it comes to the work place, unfortunately, some people can’t help it, their work requires getting down and dirty. If you work with heavy machinery, on cars, or on a construction job-site, please try to wear long sleeves if at all possible. It can help give your tattoo an extra layer against dust and dirt.
If your tattoo gets dirty at work, simply wash your tattoo with soap and water , pat it dry and re-apply a thin layer of ointment.
The number 1 problem people have when healing is using too much ointment.
If after 3 days the area around the tattoo is red or sore – don’t ignore it.
I will tell you to stop using all creams for the next three days.
Simply wash your tattoo with soap and water, and pat it dry.
You will need to dry it out completely, so that the irritation goes down.
Once the redness and all pain is gone you can resume using aquafore, just use it sparringly.