Aftercare

Please do:

• Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo!
• When you get home: Remove wrapping within 2-3 hours after getting your tattoo. Do not re-bandage.
• Wash your tattoo with anti-bacterial liquid soap. Be gentle, do not use a washcloth or anything that will exfoliate your tattoo. Only use hands.
• Gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub or use fabric with a rough surface.
• The first 2-3 days: Rub small amount of ointment on your tattoo. You may use Aquaphor Healing Ointment or Redemption Tattoo Aftercare cream as long as you have no allergies. Always use clean hands and do not place your fingers back into the ointment after touching your tattoo. Make sure to rub the ointment in so it is not shiny or greasy, you want the thinnest amount possible. Pat off any excess ointment with a clean paper towel! Do not use Vasoline or petroleum based products.
• Wash, dry, and apply ointment 3-5 times daily, as needed.
• Do not use any cloth bandages or pads, as the fibres of this material can adhere to your open tattoo and hinder the healing process.
• Wear clean soft clothing over your tattoo for the first 2 weeks - nothing abrasive or irritating. For a foot tattoo: Go barefoot as much as possible. If you must wear shoes, cover with clean cotton sock before putting on your shoe. Sandals or flip flops are fine as long as they are not rubbing or touching your new tattoo.
• After day 4: On the 3rd or 4th day your tattoo will begin to peel. This is normal! Do not pick at the skin. Begin using recommended aftercare or a mild and fragrance free lotion, free from dyes or other irritants.
• Use cream/lotion for maximum of 2 weeks, 1-2 times daily.

Things to avoid:

• Do not pick, scratch, peel, slap, rub or irritate your tattoo.
• You can shower, but you may not submerge your tattoo for 2 weeks. No swimming or hot tubs.
• You may not expose your tattoo to the sun or sun beds for at least 3 weeks. After that you must use sun block.
• Do not wear abrasive materials, jewelry or shoes that rub against your tattoo.
• Do not let anyone touch your tattoo, unless they wash their hands. Beware of gym equipment, wash it well before using it.

You can also:

• Take ibuprofen for the swelling.
• Ice your tattoo to reduce swelling.
• Take short cool showers.