Healing

New tattoos need to be looked after. With so many opinions, directions and products out there, it can be hard to find what works. This is a brief and concise explanation of what I have found to be the best method for aftercare.

The body heals itself. Skin heals as a result of your body’s reaction to the application of ink in the skin.

The following instructions and products are not going to ‘heal’ your tattoo. These are guidelines to ‘help’ and ‘assist’ your body in its healing process, as well as decrease the chance of infection or complications.

Appointment Day:

After each appointment, a ‘bandage’ will be applied to the tattoo. The specific method of ‘bandage’ will vary based on what was done during the session.

Regardless, this is to be left on the rest of the day. Unless told otherwise, you will remove this wrap before bed.

You will want to remove the bandage while cleaning the tattoo simultaneously.

Use Antibacterial-Unscented Soap and water to clean the newly un-wrapped tattoo.

Use clean hands to wash the tattoo. Do not use towels, rags, etc.

Once the tattoo is cleaned, allow the tattoo to air dry for about 20 minutes.

During this time, do not touch the tattoo. Do your best to keep it un-bothered while drying. Again, do not use a towel, rags, etc. to dry the tattoo.

Once the tattoo is dry, apply a very thin layer of Unscented Ointment to the tattoo.

I recommend using what I would call a ‘chapstick-thin layer’ of ointment. If it would be too much on your face, it’s too much for the tattoo.

I recommend allowing some time for this ointment to settle into the skin. Then, put a clean, soft layer of clothing on over the tattoo before bed.

Day 2-3

For the next two days after your appointment, you will want to repeat this clean-dry-ointment process twice per day.

Repeat the same steps as before. At no point do you need to re-bandage the tattoo, and you do not need to apply any other products.

Simply clean, air dry, and apply ointment once in the morning and once in the evening- keeping the tattoo out if in a clean environment, or under a layer of clean soft clothes when out and about.

Day 4-14

By day four, you will still be in the midst of healing, though you no longer need the strength of ointment.

At this point, you will want to switch from ointment to an Unscented Lotion.

Still repeat the process of cleaning and air-drying twice daily. However, instead of ointment, you will want to moisturize with an unscented lotion.

While doing this, be sure to thoroughly moisturize the area with the lotion. Gently work it into the area with clean hands.

Continue this process of twice daily clean-dry-moisturize for the remainder of two weeks.

This means you will do this from day four to fourteen after the day of your appointment.

After two weeks, your tattoo will most likely be fully healed.

Contact me if you have any additional questions!

DISCLAIMER: AS I AM NOT A DOCTOR, THESE ARE ALL SUGGESTIONS. IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY STRANGE REACTIONS TO THE TATTOO, OR ARE SEEING AN INFECTION FORM, PLEASE CONTACT A DOCTOR.