How to take care of your new art!
Hey there! If you're reading this you probably just got tattooed by me, so THANKS!
Here is a little run down of how I like to take care of my own tattoos and what I like to recommend for others to do as well. *This is the way that has worked best for me, personally, and what I've recommended for years. If you have a method that has worked in the past, feel free to stick to that method! Every body heals differently, though, so keep that in mind!*
-Leave your brand spankin' new tattoo wrapped for at least 1 hour. You can leave it wrapped longer, but no more than 6 hours.
STEP ONE:
STEP TWO:
CLEAN
-Once you unwrap it, it's time to clean it. I recommend cleaning your tattoo with hot water and unscented or antibacterial soap. Lightly sudsing and rinsing away any blood or plasma- NO SCRUBBING.
-Try to avoid putting clothing over it immediately, if you can.
-Now that it's clean, let the tattoo either air dry or lightly dab it with a clean towel until dry.
-Keep your tattoo clean, in general. I always say, "don't roll in garbage and be smart." Clean your tattoo 2-3 times a day as needed, as it will seep for the first few days- TOTALLY NORMAL.
STEP THREE:
MOISTURIZE
-After that first day, continue to keep your tattoo clean, then start using a little bit of unscented lotion (Jergens Ultra Healing, Cetaphil, Aveeno, etc-anything unscented) 2-3 times a day. A little goes a long way so try not to drown your tattoo regularly in lotion. They like to breathe.
-Over the next week or so your tattoo is going to scab and get pretty crazy looking. This is normal, so don't panic. Don't pick the scabs. They will fall off when they're good and ready!
RULES!
-NO SOAKING IN WATER FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS (When the tattoo should be completely healed) Shower like normal...please...for all of us. Just no soaking.
-Try to avoid extended amounts of time in direct sunlight for 2 weeks.
-While your tattoo is healing, it is still an open wound. Treat it as such. Clean clothes and clean sheets are crucial. If you expose your tattoo to unsanitary environments you will risk infection. If you think your tattoo is infected, you can try Neosporin for a couple of days to see if it clears up, but I absolutely recommend contacting a medical professional ASAP if the problem persists. Infections are no joke, y'all.
-2 weeks is the standard amount of time it takes for a tattoo to completely heal, but it could take a couple more before the tattoo is nice and settled into your skin.
-If for some reason your tattoo heals up and has lost some pigment, during the healing process, please please give me a shout for a touch up. Touch up's are free! Your tattoo should look perfect so don't be afraid to ask!
