Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
Three Stages to your healing tattoo
Taking Care of Your Healing Tattoo
- Always wash your hands before you wash your tattoo
- Wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap and warm water twice a day
- Gently use your fingertips to wash- no washcloths, loofahs, abrasives, etc.
- Let your tattoo air dry or pat it dry with a paper towel
- Apply a thin layer of ointment twice a day
- If your tattoo looks as though it is oozing, you have applied too much ointment- blot excess with a paper towel or distribute to surrounding skin
-Spread ointment thinly, a pea size amount is more than enough to cover an entire panel
- Once your tattoo has begun to flake, you can swap ointment for unscented lotion
- During the flake/peel stage you are going to itch- do not scratch your healing tattoo! Patting or smacking the area gently will provide relief to the itchy sensation
- For healing, for the first two weeks, cover your tattoo every time you're in the sun
- For longevity, after the first two weeks please apply sunblock and/or cover your tattoos when you're in the sun for long periods of time
1) Open Wound- For the first three days, the holes created in your skin are open and draining a small amount of ink and plasma. During these stages, your tattoo is susceptible to infection, and you should keep it clean and covered to prevent contamination. Rocky will provide a covering that will work best for your tattoo and healing preferences.
2) Closed- After 3-4 days, the top layer of skin will close up and scab over. During this stage, there are still small openings in the skin, and we recommend using ointment or lotion to keep the area protected and moisturized (if you are unsure what lotion/ointment to use, feel free to send a picture to Rocky!)
3) Healed and Peeling- After a week, your tattoo is mostly healed at the surface, and little pieces of colored scabs will begin to flake off on their own. We recommend continuing to moisturize the area to retain the scab covering as long as possible. DO NOT pick, peel, or rub these scabs off, as they are protecting a fresh layer of skin
Saran-Wrap
- Leave the wrap on until you get home
- The Saran wrap will protect your open skin from any dirt or debris during your trip home
- When you take the Saran wrap off, it is normal to see small amounts of ink and plasma on the plastic and the surface of your skin
- Take a shower and wash with unscented soap
- After showering, pat dry and apply ointment to protect the open skin
- For sleep, wear a clean piece of clothing to protect the area from any bedsheet linen/pet hair
DO NOT!
- Use too much ointment! You don't want your tattoo to look shiny, greasy, or wet!
- Submerge/soak in the tub, pool, hot tub, or any body of water for at least 2 weeks. Also, be mindful when showering (don't stay in too long or run your water too hot)
- Go tanning or expose your tattoo to direct sunlight
- Rub, scrub, scratch, pick, or peel your tattoo
-Wipe your tattoo dry; avoid friction by patting or air-drying after cleaning
- Touch your tattoo with unwashed hands; only touch when cleaning or moisturizing
Tattoo Armor
- Leave the absorbent covering on overnight and take it off the next morning
- The tattoo armor will protect your open skin from any dirt or debris while you're sleeping
- There is an absorbent layer inside that will soak up excess ink and plasma. It is normal for the bandage to have small black/colored spots when you remove it
- After removing, wash with unscented soap and apply ointment
If any of the following occurs, please contact Rocky!
- Severe swelling
- Severe pain
- Dark redness radiating out from under the tattoo or traveling in a pattern like veins or lightning
- "Sinking" areas that may or may not be filled with a "goo" or pus
- Thick hard scabs (light scabbing that flakes away is normal)
- Deep cracks, pits, or any areas that bleed red blood
- Prolonged oozing of blood plasma with or without color
Rashes or bumps in the surrounding tissue
- Anything that has you feeling concerned or unsure about your tattoo
Redemption Shield
- Leave the shield on for 3-5 days or as recommended by Rocky
- The shield will protect your skin from any dirt or debris
- The adhesive will seal the ink and plasma inside. It is normal for the fluid to obscure your tattoo from view; it's still under there!
- If the shield does not seal and the fluid starts to leak, remove it, as bacteria may enter
- Remove the shield in the shower or under warm, running water
- To remove, stretch the shield away from itself, or directly back on itself, rather than peeling upwards and off. You want to remove the shield like taking a command strip off the wall, not taking off a Band-Aid
- During removal, it helps to hold the skin tight- gently press the surrounding area of uncovered, untattooed skin in the opposite direction you're pulling the adhesive
- Once removed, wash your tattoo with unscented soap and warm water and apply ointment or unscented lotion