Aftercare

Items to buy:

Unscented anti-bacterial soap, Unscented Lubriderm lotion

Procedure:

Leave the bandage on for 4-5 days. Wash hands first with antibacterial soap and warm water. Take off bandage in shower and peel slowly from top to bottom close to the skin. Wash tattoo area well with antibacterial soap and warm water. Dry with paper towel. Once dry, let air dry for a few more minutes and then apply non-scented lotion several times a day for several days until peeling goes away and skin stops being shiny and goes back to normal.

Something to consider:

It may be a good idea to wait to work out, or do any activity that will cause you to sweat excessively, for at least a few days after being tattooed. Sweat can build up in the bandage not allowing your tattoo to breathe, or worse, compromise the adhesive seal on your bandage, causing the bandage to come off early. The first 48 hours in the healing process happen to be the most crucial, after that you should be mostly good to go.

However, if for some reason you have to take the bandage off early on in the healing process, please read the aftercare below on using aquaphor and follow that method of healing.

Items to buy:

Baby Aquaphor or Aquaphor, Unscented Lubriderm lotion, Unscented anti-bacterial soap

Procedure:

After two hours, remove bandage and wash hands with antibacterial soap and warm water. Rinse. Then wash tattoo with antibacterial soap and warm water until blood and ink are clear of the tattoo. If in the shower, do not let the water spray directly onto the tattoo, wash it from another angle. Rinse with cool water and dry with paper towel. Let air dry a few minutes. Wash hands again and dry with paper towels. Apply a very small amount of aquaphor and rub into the tattoo very well. Less is more. Blot any excess aquaphor so that the tattoo is not glossy and won’t get clogged up. You want to make sure the tattoo is able to breathe to heal. Wash your tattoo 3-4 times a day for 3-4 days, starting in the morning and ending right before you go to bed. Always wash your tattoo before you re-apply any ointment. If you skip a wash, your tattoo will scab up. Do not pick at the tattoo. Wait for any scabbing to fall off by itself. Once you start to peel after a few days, stop using the aquaphor and start using the Lubriderm to help with any peeling. Use several times a day for several days until peeling goes away.

Do Not:

Tan, Pick, Scratch, or Submerge your tattoo in bodies of water for 2 weeks (bathtubs, hottubs, swimming, etc.)

If you have any questions or concerns about how to take care of your tattoo, do not hesitate to contact me via email at kanecooktattoo@gmail.com

Please call a physician if signs or symptoms of infection occur and/or if you feel feverish.