AFTER CARE

*WITHOUT TEGADERM*

2 HOURS AFTER

• Wipe with damp paper towel from top to bottom, let air dry. 

• Leave alone for the rest of the day. Wipe down if need be and let air dry.

• Do not apply lotion today! Your skin is still very fresh, you want to let it dry and start to heal.

• You may shower today.

• If you want to cover your tattoo while you sleep but don't want to use tegaderm, you can do so with plastic wrap. This will give you the same protection as tegederm, without the side effects adhesives can cause, and while letting it breathe during the day. 

  • Make sure the tattoo is clean and dry when you put this on!

  • You can do this for 1-3 nights.

  • Remove in the morning when you get up and wash with hibiclens.
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THE DAY AFTER

• When you get up in the morning, wash with hibiclens and rinse with warm water. Let air dry.

  • Repeat this any morning after you slept with your tattoo wrapped.​

• Try to ignore your tattoo and go about your day the best you can.

• No lotion yet! It is still very early in the healing process and most likely isn't dry or scabbed enough yet.

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2 DAYS AFTER

• Wipe down with damp paper towel in the morning if need be.

• You may start applying lotion today.

• Only apply lotion if tattoo is feeling very dry, tight or itchy to the point where it is uncomfortable.

• If you feel you can ignore your tattoo and don't need lotion, that's great! Only apply when the itch is unbearable or it feels so tight to the point where it might crack. This may not happen until 3-4 days after.

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Continue this process until tattoo is healed.

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LOTION

• Plain white unscented lotion like Cetaphil or Lubriderm is your best bet.

• NO A&D or Neosporin! 

• Nothing thick like Aquaphor or Vaseline. They are often over used and can easily clog your pores.

• If it looks wet after your apply, you used too much. Wipe down, let air dry, and start again. 

• Lotion does not heal your tattoo, it just keeps you comfortable. 

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SHOWERING

• No long hot showers!

• Don't wash tattoo in the shower at all.

• Wash as your normally would, avoiding the tattoo.

• If any soap gets on it (it's ok if it does), rinse then let air dry.

• If anything gets on your tattoo like sweat, dirt or dust, wash with hibiclens and let air dry.

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EXTRA TIPS

• No submerging your tattoo in water for long periods of time. This will result in a gooey wet scab which will prolong the healing process.

• Stay out of the gym until you are healed. The gym isn't as clean as it may seem and you will be at high risk for infection.

• Sun is not good for a healing tattoo. Sun block isn't either. Your best bet is to stay out of the sun or keep it covered.

• If you need to cover your tattoo for any reason, white cotton is the best thing for that.

• Your tattoo may stick to things while you sleep like your shirt or sheet. If this happens, don't panic and do not tear it off! Take what is stuck with you under a faucet or into the shower, get it completely soaked then gently peel it off. Let it air dry.

• People will tell you different ways to heal your tattoo. My care instructions are what works best for my style of tattooing! I can only guarantee my work if you follow my instructions. 

• It is your immune system that heals the tattoo, not lotion. I recommend doing anything you normally would do to boost your immune system now. 

• Drink a lot of water and get a lot of sleep.

• Take Ibuprofen for swelling.

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If you have any questions please ask me! There are no stupid questions and I am always here to help!

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