Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
Leave the bandage on for about four hours. Remove it and wash your tattoo with soap and warm water. Just use your fingertips to lightly scrub away any residue.
Pat dry and let the air hit your tattoo for another four hours to allow it to seal itself off.
At this point, your tattoo is basically a light scab. Care needs to be taken to allow it to heal fully. NEVER PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR NEW TATTOO.
We recommend keeping your tattoo moist with a light layer of lotion such as Lubriderm or Curel. Ointments such as bag balm, A&D ointment, etc. can be used if the tattoo is in an area that needs to bend a lot and should be kept more moist. Just remember not to overdo it. Too thick a layer will block the air. Air helps promote healing, so use of these products can prolong your healing time.
Avoid getting your tattoo overly wet, so when you are in the shower, do not let your tattoo be hit directly for any length of time by the water spray.
Soaking or submerging your tattoo in water will cause it to peel early and heal out light and splotchy. Swimming and/or hot tubbing are out of the question.
Your tattoo should heal out in about two weeks. It will begin flaking away in around 4-5 days. After the tattoo has completely healed, you may resume normal activities.
On suntanning: UV rays ALWAYS fade pigment. A tattoo is simply pigment placed in your skin. Extended amounts of exposure to UV rays WILL fade your tattoo. For best results, cover your tattoo with a sticker or sheet of paper when you tan, bring a cover-up if you are going out on the lake, or use a sunscreen such as an SPF chapstick for control, or all over if you aren't working on your tan.
