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Tattoo Aftercare

Expect - Discomfort, soreness, and swelling on or near the tattoo. Symptoms increase for tattoos below the knee.

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  • To aid healing, hydrate by drinking recommended amount of daily water.

  • Healing time ranges from 2-4 weeks.

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Avoid:

  • ​Contact with pets

  • Contact with unclean surfaces

  • Shaving over the tattooed area

  • Contact with unclean blankets/sheets

  • Petroleum-based or overly thick ointments

  • Dirt and dust

  • Picking

  • Scratching

  • Touching your new tattoo with unwashed hands, or allowing others to touch

  • Shared gym equipment and shared exercise mats

  • Sweat from others

  • Friction

  • Constricting clothing

  • Sun exposure

  • When your tattoo is healed, please apply sunblock as a normal routine to maintain rich blacks and bright colors in your tattoo

  • Any kind of swimming or soaking

  • Heavily scented soaps, loofahs, washcloths; Wash with hands only

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​STANDARD AFTERCARE: Recommended for smaller tattoos or people without contact with pets and unclean environments.

  1. Remove bandage after one hour

  2. Wash tattoo with warm water, clean hands, and unscented and gentle soap. Let it air dry.

  3. Apply raw coconut oil, or other approved ointments (see below).

          twice a day for two weeks.

  • If a  moisture rash occurs (sometimes resembling pimples or whiteheads),

             discontinue any use of any lotion or oil.

  • In 3-4 days the tattoo will scab, peel, and itch.  Do not pick, scratch, or over-moisturize.  

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WET HEALING: This method is advised primarily for people who live with pets, and/or work in unclean environments.  Wrapping the tattoo in plastic wrap consistently for 3-4 days will protect it from infection-causing elements, decreases scabs, and promotes healing for a better tattoo result.

  1. ​Remove bandage after one hour and wash the tattoo with warm water, clean hands, and an unscented gentle soap. Let air dry for about an hour.

  2. Wrap tattoo in plastic wrap.  Expect blood, lymph fluid, and traces of ink to collect under plastic wrap for the first day or two.

  3. 6-8 hours later, unwrap and clean the tattoo with warm water and let it air dry.

  4. Apply a small amount of raw coconut oil 

  5. Re-wrap with plastic wrap and repeat every 6-8 hours for 3-4 days.

  • After 3-4 days of wrapping, your tattoo will flake and peel.  Continue lightly applying oil or unscented lotion twice a day.

  • If moisture rashes occur (often resembling pimples or whiteheads)

             discontinue any use of all lotions or oil.

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RECOVERY DERMSHIELD: a similar product to Tegaderm and Saniderm.  Your artist may choose to apply this. 

- Ideally, your initial bandage may stay on for 3-7 days

- Change your Dermshield if ink/fluid starts to seep out, that means bacteria can enter

- Wash with clean hands, warm water and unscented antibacterial or castille soap, then let your tattoo dry completely before-reapplying second bandage.  Do not apply moisturizer or ointment between bandages.

- Remove bandage immediately if you have a reaction to the adhesives

- After the life of your bandage (3-7 days), continue to wash and moisturize your tattoo at least once daily. 

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Please contact us immediately if you are experiencing redness, soreness and inflammation after the first 7 days. 

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Recommended ointments:

 

- Raw coconut oil

- Lubriderm unscented

- Burts Bees Waxelene

- Burts Bees rescue ointment

- All Good Goop

- Tattoo Goo

- Hustle Butter

- Little Homestead Farm healing balm (sold at The Studio)

 

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