AFTERCARE
PRODUCTS:
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SOAP: unscented Dial anti-bacterial soap in a pump, Dial Gold is best, but if you can't find that you can use unscented bar soap like Dove or Dial.
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LOTION: Either of the following lotions are suitable for tattoo aftercare as long as they are unscented and don't have SPF- Lubriderm or Cetaphil. I do not recommend Aquaphor, A&D, Vaseline, or any other products. Please do not settle for whatever you have on hand, it is best to get these exact products for your tattoo and they are widely available at most drug stores.
STEPS:
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Your tattoo requires 4 weeks to completely heal. It does not matter if the tattoos "feels" or "looks" healed, the skin is a complex living organ and it requires 4 weeks to heal after getting the tattoo. Please continue to follow the aftercare regimen for the entirety of this time.
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For the first 3 days, wash the tattoo 3 times a day and then 2 times a day until it is healed. Apply lotion to the tattoo after every wash.
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After the tattoo appointment, take off the wrap once you get home, sooner is better and there is no benefit to keeping the wrap on (and do not keep the wrap on any longer than 4 hours after the appt unless otherwise instructed by me).
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Using only your hand, wash the tattoo with warm water and soap. If you are using a bar soap, lather the soap in your hands before washing the area, do not apply the soap directly to the tattoo. You can shower like you normally do, but do not keep the tattoo under running shower water (it's fine if the water hits the tattoo periodically or a little bit). When you're in the shower, wash the tattoo very last.
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Take a clean towel and pat the tattoo dry. Do not rub the tattoo.
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Using your clean hands, put lotion on the tattoo directly. You can re-apply lotion as needed, please be sure to wash your hands prior to applying lotion.
DOES AND DON'TS:
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Use only your hand and lukewarm water to wash your tattoo.
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Use only clean towels when patting the tattoo dry and make sure only clean clothes and sheets come into contact with the tattoo.
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You can take showers right after getting your tattoo, but please avoid shower water hitting the tattoo directly for the first week, so don't hold the tattoo under direct shower water. You can take normal showers, but it's best to limit them to 10-15 minutes for the first week and to wash the tattoo very last during your shower so you can make sure everything is off of it.
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Keep dirt, sweat, and other germs and bacteria off of the tattoo.
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Keep hand sanitizer off of the tattoo while it is healing. Alcohol is bad for tattoos.
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Do not let children and pets touch the tattoo within 7 days after the appt.
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Do not use machines at the gym for at least 7 days after the appt.
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Stay away from ocean and pool water for at least 3 weeks after the appt.
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If you'll be out in the sun, keep the tattoo area covered with clothing (not a bandage or a wrap). You can apply sunscreen onto the tattoo 3-4 weeks after the appt., after which point I encourage you to wear sunscreen any time your tattoo will be in the sun. Please keep the tattoo covered before the time when you're able to apply sunscreen.
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If your tattoos are on your legs or hips, please do not wear jeans for the first 5 days after getting your tattoo.
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if your tattoo is on your ribcage, shoulders, or back and you wear bras, please try to wear soft, loose bralettes or bras that do not tightly rub against the tattoo.
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If your tattoo is on your ankle or foot, please do not wear socks that touch the tattoo because socks can bring bacteria and germs from the bottom of your foot to the tattoo.
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if your tattoo is behind your ear, on the head, or on the neck, please try to keep your hair off of the tattoo as much as possible and do not use hairspray or hair gel for at least 10 days after the appt.
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Do not scratch or pick at the tattoo during the healing process. This can cause irritation and it can affect how a tattoo will look over time.
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Please familiarize yourself with common signs of infection "including, but not limited to redness, swelling, tenderness of the procedure site, red streaks going from the procedure site towards the heart, elevated body temperature, or purulent drainage from the procedure site." (1)
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Admire your tattoo at least once a day! :D
Aftercare is EXTREMELY important to the health and appearance of a tattoo. It can determine how a tattoo will look over time and it can help prevent infection and irritation. It is very important to exercise all of the aftercare steps properly for the health and appearance of the tattoo. Fineline and smaller tattoos will suffer the most from poor aftercare, and because that is a lot of the work that I do, I urge clients to take aftercare very seriously to avoid excessively touching up fineline pieces (this can cause the tattoo to lose its delicate appearance because touching up a tattoo excessively will thicken the lines in the piece).