Tattoo Aftercare Instructions and Information
ALWAYS PROPERLY WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR TATTOO! Most infections come from people not washing their hands and touching the site. Your hands are the biggest carriers of bacteria. Bacteria are what cause infection.
Remove bandage after 4-6 hours. DO NOT REBANDAGE! Wash your hands. Then you need to wash the tattoo using your hands not a washcloth! Use a mild hand soap to wash the tattoo. Antibacterial soap is not necessary and is too harsh for the new tattoo. You need to wash the tattoo to remove all medication, excess color, dry blood, etc... Rinse well after washing and then BLOT with a clean towel or paper towel to dry the area. You need to immediately wash bedding in hot water. Change bedding frequently and use a clean towel every time you shower. This will help reduce the risk of infection from these items.
You will need to apply a small amount of ointment to the tattoo after you wash it. Do not use more ointment on the tattoo than you would apply chapstick to your lips. You need to apply the ointment to the tattoo when you feel the tattoo is getting dry. Use ONLY: A specific tattoo ointment, or Olive Oil. Remember to use only a small amount of ointment to lightly moisten the tattoo.
If you use too much ointment, the tattoo will not stay crisp and will lose pigment. If you don’t moisten the tattoo often enough and it gets too dry, it will scab and the pigment will be removed when the scab falls off. By keeping the tattoo slightly moist it will not scab. Do not pick at the tattoo! Do not scratch the tattoo!
Restrict any physical activity that may affect the healing process during the healing time, including swimming, sports such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer, excessive gym workouts, etc…
What to Expect:
A few hours after the procedure, you may experience some redness, swelling, and minor bruising which will subside. The tattoo may feel very similar to a sunburn.
By keeping the tattoo lightly moist, it will also heal very similarly to a sunburn. You will notice some flaking. The flaking will be in the colors used in the application of the tattoo. This is normal and nothing to worry about. It does not mean the tattoo is coming off.
After a few days, the tattoo will begin to itch. You may lightly slap around the tattoo with clean hands to relieve the itching. NO SCRATCHING!
Healing will be complete generally within 2 weeks depending on how you heal and the amount of time and saturation of the tattoo.
Possible side effects from receiving a tattoo can include, but are not limited to:
Pain, redness, swelling, infection including; impetigo, staph, strep, cellulitis. (IMPORTANT: MOST INFECTIONS are not caused from the procedure, but are caused at home after receiving a tattoo; from contaminated surfaces, bedding, animals licking, etc…) Other side effects; rash, systemic rash, allergic reaction to pigment, not happy with results, decide later that you don’t want the tattoo. Social stigmas and judgements.
DONT’S:
DO NOT EXPOSE THE TATTOO TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT...EVER. IF YOU ARE IN THE SUN, YOU MUST USE SUNSCREEN! FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
NO BATHS, NO POOLS, NO HOT TUBS, NO SAUNAS while the tattoo is healing and for 8 weeks after!!!! (Showering is fine; just don’t allow a solid stream of water to pound the tattoo for longer than just to rinse it off.)
NO SCRATCHING - NO PICKING
Signs of infection can include, but are not limited to:
Pain or increased tenderness of the procedure site, general deep redness or red bumps, swelling, warmth to the touch (around the area), puss that is dark yellow or green (purulent drainage), fever (increased body temperature), odor, red streaks going from the procedure site towards the heart. If you have any signs of infection, it is TIME TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR!
Signs of allergic reaction to pigment can include, but are not limited to:
Pain, redness, extreme swelling, rash or bumps, flaking, scaly appearance, purple or red nodules around the tattoo. If you have any signs of allergic reaction, it is TIME TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR!