Tattoo Aftercare

DAY ONE: Your new tattoo will be somewhat tender and will feel like a new sunburn. The care of your tattoo is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. How you care for your new tattoo in the first few days determines the way it will look forever.

DO:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly before you touch anywhere near your tattoo with antibacterial soap.
  • Remove bandage carefully (wet the bandage in the shower first if it seems to stick).
  • Wash tattoo with warm water and a mild soap (Liquid Dial®, Ivory® bar or Pure & Natural®) lathering with hand.
  • Rinse tattoo well with warm water, until the surface of tattoo feels “squeaky” clean.
  • Pat tattoo dry with a clean, disposable paper-towel.

For The First 2-3 Days: apply small amount of A&D® fragrance free ointment to tattoo and work into skin, twice daily (morning and night).

  • Blot excess ointment with a clean paper-towel.
  • Tattoo should not be greasy – LESS IS MORE!

For Days 3-14: after cleaning tattoo, switch to a lotion (Lubriderm®, Vaseline Intensive Care® †NOT JELLY, or Eucerin®) after washing your tattoo and work it into skin. Lotion should be applied  4-6 times a day for the first 2-3 weeks.

  • Blot excess lotion with a clean paper-towel.
  • Tattoo should not be greasy – LESS IS MORE!

DO NOT:

  • DO NOT re-bandage tattoo!
  • DO NOT use a washcloth, loofa or sponge to wash tattoo!
  • DO NOT dry with a cloth towel. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria!
  • DO NOT touch tattoo with dirty hands or let anyone else touch it!
  • DO NOT apply excessive amounts of ointment or lotion. Tattoo should not look “soggy”.
  • DO NOT use products containing Aloe Vera,  Alcohol or Cortisone. 
  • DO NOT expose tattoo to natural or artificial sunlight* (tanning salons, etc.) for a minimum of 3 weeks.
  • DO NOT soak in bath, pool or lake. All these things contain bacteria no matter how “clean” you think they may be.
  • DO NOT pick or scratch at the tattoo! use a little lotion for itching.
Days 3-14: Healing tattoos WILL peel and flake; small bits of colored skin WILL shed. It may not look as “crisp” as the first few days and may appear “hazy”. THIS IS COMPLETELY NORMAL and will clear up in 2-3 weeks. Continue to wash and dry twice daily (morning and night) as directed in the DO: section,  apply lotion 4-6 times a day, being sure to use a small amount only and work it into the skin.

 

*Important!!! The sun should be avoided at all coasts, as some ointments are photosensitive and a rash can develop if exposed to natural or artificial sunlight (tanning salon, etc.)!