When you make the investment to get tattooed, aftercare is the most important step to make sure your tattoo looks great and lasts over time. We’ll lay out the basics and some details. Read thoroughly and ask your artist if you have any questions.
General Care:
Do NOT use hot tubs, pools or saunas for two weeks after a tattoo. Do NOT pick or scratch at your tattoo during the healing process. Do NOT work out 1-2 days after your appointment. Keep your tattoo clean with an unscented soap, washing at least once a day. Keep your tattoo moisturized by applying a petroleum-free moisturizer multiple times per day for up to two weeks after your appointment.
Plasticwrap care
Usually used for large swaths of heavy black work or rich color work. After your tattoo is finished, your artist will apply ointment then wrap your tattoo in plasticwrap. This covering protects the open skin from bacteria, sunlight, and from rubbing against clothing but can only be worn for a few hours and is disposable.
If your tattoo session finishes after 5 pm you can sleep with the wrapping on. Be sure to wear a shirt or lay a towel down because in some cases ink can get on the sheets.
Remove the bandage after 4-5 hours (or the next morning) and perform the following wash procedure:
1. Run your tattoo under warm water in shower or under tap. Slowly turn the water to as hot as you can stand and keep it there for 15-20 seconds. This process helps flush out pores from dried blood and pigment that is hard to see. It then tightens pores to promote less peeling and a shorter healing period.
2. Adjust the water to your comfort level again and wash the area with a non-scented soap. Never use scented soaps on your tattoo.
3. Blot dry with a clean towel and let air dry for 5-10 minutes
4. Next, apply a very thin layer of ointment. We recommend using petroleum-free skin care products to heal your tattoo like Ohana Tattoo Butter. Massage gently into the tattoo so that it looks shiny, not goopy. Blot off any excess ointment from the skin. Don’t bandage it again.
5. Wear clean loose fitting, clothing. Sleep only on freshly washed and dried sheets. If your tattoo sticks to your clothing or sheets, get the fabric wet before pulling it off otherwise you could damage your tattoo.
Clean your tattoo at least once a day for up to two weeks using a non-scented soap. Apply moisturizer multiple times per day for up to two weeks.
Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight for at least two months. Afterwards, your tattoos will always need to be protected from the sun. We recommend using a sunscreen with minimum 50 SPF.
We recommend taking 500-1,000 mg Vitamin C to help your skin’s healing process. Other good supplements to take are: Vitamin A (10,000-25,000 IU), Zinc (15-30 mg), and Bromelain (500-1,000 mg).
Ink Rejection or Allergy:
At any stage in the healing process, the body may reject an ink color. If the body is allergic to an ink, a raised and painful rash may form on the skin.
Ink allergies may occur because tattoo ink colors contain many different substances. For example, the black ink contains carbon and the red ink contains mercury sulfide or shellfish. Anyone experiencing a rash on or around a tattoo should visit a doctor, who can identify and treat the rash.
DO NOTS:
DO NOT soak your tattoo. No hot tubs or baths for two weeks… showers only.
DO NOT shave the area for 2-3 weeks.
DO NOT let others touch your tattoo. If someone accidentally touches or bumps into your new tattoo, quickly clean the area and start over with fresh lotion.
DO NOT dry your tattoo with dirty towels.
DO NOT pick or scratch at your tattoo.
DO NOT share ointments with others.
DO NOT use antibiotic ointment like Neosporin on your tattoo; you can use it as a spot treatment for ingrown hairs only.
DO NOT let your tattoo in the direct sunlight. Wear sunscreen everyday after the healing process is completed.
