Before your appointment
To ensure the best results for your tattoo, it's important to follow these guidelines. Please refrain from shaving the area where you want your tattoo for three days, including the day of appointment. If the area is densely hairy, you may use a trimmer but not a razor. Additionally, it's recommended to shower on the day of your appointment and to stay hydrated and well-fed. By following these steps, you'll be on your way to a successful tattoo experience
Aftercare
Most commonly you will receive a waterproof film bandage
Leave the film on for period of 3-7 days. Some redness is normal, but if raised welts appear discontinue use and remove the film. If you get a hole in the film or or it peels up to the boundary of the tattoo or you see dark fluid leaking out of the bandage discontinue use and remove the film. Follow alternate instructions below.
For the first day or two, dark fluid may accumulate under the bandage this is a collection of plasma blood and ink. This is totally normal and will not stain the lighter parts of the tattoo.
If the wrap peels up a bit around the edges, it’s okay as long as the peeling does not reach the boundary of the tattoo.
To remove the wrap, peel up an edge and stretch the film as you are removing it, as this will loosen the adhesive bond. Once the wrap is removed wash the plasma off with very warm almost hot (NOT SCALDING) water.
For the next week wash your tattoo at least 2 times a day with unscented and gentle soap (like Dove Sensitive Skin) and apply a light layer of unscented lotion (like Lubriderm) 3-4 times a day.
Once the wrap is off, a small amount of peeling and/or itching may occur DO NOT pick at any scabbing or flaking, allow the flakes or scabs to come off on their own. Using lotion can help ease the itching.
While the tattoo is healing, do not submerge in water and stay out of the sun as much as possible. After it has completely healed, use sunblock when going in the sun to make the color last as long as possible.
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Alternate Instructions (bandages pads and plastic wrap)
You may have gotten bandages wrapped with plastic cling if we were concerned about an adverse reaction from the waterproof film wrap, additionally you may want to follow theses instructions if the waterproof film wrap came off or was removed before 3 days.
Remove bandage 2 hours after getting your tattoo. Lightly wash area with warm water and unscented gentle soap (I recommend Dove unscented) to remove any residual plasma or ink. Rinse with cold water. Do not use anything abrasive like a luffa, scrubber, etc. After wash, pat dry with a clean towel, and let area air dry for 30 minutes.
For the next 3 to 5 days wash the tattoo with unscented and gentle soap 3 times a day and apply a light layer of Aquaphor when completely dry. After 3 to 5 days you can switch from Aquaphor to an unscented lotion (like Lubriderm) until the flaking stops.
Expect itchy, dry flakes to appear. Do not pick at or scratch.
DO NOT use Vaseline, Neosporin, triple antibiotic ointment, or bag balm.
DO NOT sleep on it or pick at it.
DO NOT submerge, such as in a bath/hot tub or swimming pool, until fully healed.
DO NOT put in direct sunlight or tanning devices for 30 days.
DO NOT spray tan until fully healed.
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