Tattoo Aftercare
ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE WASHING YOUR TATTOO OR APPLYING AFTERCARE OINTMENTS.
Upon finishing your tattoo, I will apply a thin layer of aftercare ointment on your tattoo, then I will apply a sterile, non-stick pad to the tattoo and tape it on using medical paper tape. You should remove the bandage after 4 hours, washing your hands before doing so!
After washing your hands and removing the sterile, non-stick pad; gently wash the tattoo using warm (NOT HOT!!) water and MILD soap (such as unscented glycerine soap from a natural grocer). Use your hand to gently wash the tattoo. (Never use a washcloth during healing!!). After washing the tattoo, you should apply a very thin layer of tattoo ointment.
I recommend an ointment made specifically for tattoos. They are formulated without petroleum. You are paying good money for your body art! Your tattoo has to last a very long time. Why spend money on the tattoo and then not purchase an ointment specially formulated for tattoos? Store bought lotions and petroleum products just don't allow the tattoo to heal as well as it should, in my opinion. I carry a natural, organic ointment that is awesome (if you choose to purchase it while you are here, or through my website.)
Additionally, if you choose to use a product other than the one I carry, I cannot do free touch-ups. If you use the tattoo ointment that I carry, I will do free touch-ups on your tattoo for a period of 6 months. After that, there will be a charge for touch-ups. The reason for this is because...people tend to ignore their tattoos. Not use sunscreen on them and the skin natually changes and exfoliates. Therefore the tattoos can change and fade simple due to changes in the skin.
You should reapply the ointment every 2-3 hours or when you notice the tattoo is getting dry. (If it is still moist in 2-3 hours, you do not have to reapply the ointment, but if the tattoo is dried out in an hour, then you should put more ointment on.) It is important to keep the tattoo lightly moist during the healing time (usually 1-2 weeks depending on the tattoo, how much saturation of pigment was used and how your body heals based on your eating habits and overall general health). If the tattoo is left to get dry, it will scab! The scab can get very thick and hard and as it falls off, it will take some of the tattoo with it. When you keep the tattoo lightly moist, scabbing is minimal, healing is quicker.
You only need to wash the tattoo ONCE A DAY (usually just when you take your shower) and always use your hand and the mild soap during healing. Washing it more than once a day just dries out the tattoo and can cause loss of pigment. Remember however to keep the tattoo moistened through out the day with your tattoo ointment.
Showering is fine during healing, however, you should not soak the tattoo in any body of water (NO bath tubs, hot tubs, pools or natural bodies of water such as lakes, oceans or rivers) for a minimum of 2 months (8 weeks) AFTER the tattoo is healed! This gives the pigment a chance to "settle in."
Tattoos usually itch as they are healing. Do NOT scratch or pick at the tattoo. If it itches, you may wash your hands and lightly slap around the tattoo.
It is a good idea to launder your bedding after receiving a tattoo or piercing. Clean bedding can help reduce the risk of getting an infected wound. Also, wash your hands BEFORE going to bed (and in the case of tattooing, prior to applying aftercare ointments).
Tattoos are wounds! They can always get infected. That is why it important to wash your hands before washing the tattoo, and always before applying the ointment. If a tattoo does get infected, do not try to treat the infection or problem at home. Always seek medical attention immediately!
Upon finishing your tattoo, I will apply a thin layer of aftercare ointment on your tattoo, then I will apply a sterile, non-stick pad to the tattoo and tape it on using medical paper tape. You should remove the bandage after 4 hours, washing your hands before doing so!
After washing your hands and removing the sterile, non-stick pad; gently wash the tattoo using warm (NOT HOT!!) water and MILD soap (such as unscented glycerine soap from a natural grocer). Use your hand to gently wash the tattoo. (Never use a washcloth during healing!!). After washing the tattoo, you should apply a very thin layer of tattoo ointment.
I recommend an ointment made specifically for tattoos. They are formulated without petroleum. You are paying good money for your body art! Your tattoo has to last a very long time. Why spend money on the tattoo and then not purchase an ointment specially formulated for tattoos? Store bought lotions and petroleum products just don't allow the tattoo to heal as well as it should, in my opinion. I carry a natural, organic ointment that is awesome (if you choose to purchase it while you are here, or through my website.)
Additionally, if you choose to use a product other than the one I carry, I cannot do free touch-ups. If you use the tattoo ointment that I carry, I will do free touch-ups on your tattoo for a period of 6 months. After that, there will be a charge for touch-ups. The reason for this is because...people tend to ignore their tattoos. Not use sunscreen on them and the skin natually changes and exfoliates. Therefore the tattoos can change and fade simple due to changes in the skin.
You should reapply the ointment every 2-3 hours or when you notice the tattoo is getting dry. (If it is still moist in 2-3 hours, you do not have to reapply the ointment, but if the tattoo is dried out in an hour, then you should put more ointment on.) It is important to keep the tattoo lightly moist during the healing time (usually 1-2 weeks depending on the tattoo, how much saturation of pigment was used and how your body heals based on your eating habits and overall general health). If the tattoo is left to get dry, it will scab! The scab can get very thick and hard and as it falls off, it will take some of the tattoo with it. When you keep the tattoo lightly moist, scabbing is minimal, healing is quicker.
You only need to wash the tattoo ONCE A DAY (usually just when you take your shower) and always use your hand and the mild soap during healing. Washing it more than once a day just dries out the tattoo and can cause loss of pigment. Remember however to keep the tattoo moistened through out the day with your tattoo ointment.
Showering is fine during healing, however, you should not soak the tattoo in any body of water (NO bath tubs, hot tubs, pools or natural bodies of water such as lakes, oceans or rivers) for a minimum of 2 months (8 weeks) AFTER the tattoo is healed! This gives the pigment a chance to "settle in."
Tattoos usually itch as they are healing. Do NOT scratch or pick at the tattoo. If it itches, you may wash your hands and lightly slap around the tattoo.
It is a good idea to launder your bedding after receiving a tattoo or piercing. Clean bedding can help reduce the risk of getting an infected wound. Also, wash your hands BEFORE going to bed (and in the case of tattooing, prior to applying aftercare ointments).
Tattoos are wounds! They can always get infected. That is why it important to wash your hands before washing the tattoo, and always before applying the ointment. If a tattoo does get infected, do not try to treat the infection or problem at home. Always seek medical attention immediately!
Disclaimer
No warranty is made that any of the articles are accurate. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in this article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Even if a statement made about medicine is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms.
The information provided is of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medicalprofessional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). I am not a doctor. And although I was in the medical field, I am no longer and have not been for many years.
I cannot take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented on this web site.
Nothing on dynamicfranktown.com should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
The information provided is of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medicalprofessional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). I am not a doctor. And although I was in the medical field, I am no longer and have not been for many years.
I cannot take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented on this web site.
Nothing on dynamicfranktown.com should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.