AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS ♡

  • I will give you an aftercare packet when your tattoo is finished that includes an instruction sheet, mini A&D ointment, a sticker, and a business card.

  • I am now offering Recovery Derm (an aftercare bandage). Please let me know if you have any problems with adhesives (such as bandaids) as this product would not be suitable for you. There are more specifics about this kind of aftercare below and a link to a video on how to properly remove.

  • I wrap you up with a bandage to prevent leakage and sticking to your clothes that you take off around an hour after you leave, which is standard procedure if Recovery Derm is not used.

THE BASIC AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS

  • Once removing the wrapped bandage, wash your hands, and gently rinse any plasma/blood off of your tattoo. Use an unscented, antibacterial soap, such as Gold Dial, and warm water to wash. Apply a thin layer of Aquaphor or A&D and make sure to rub it in really well.

  • Leaving a film of ointment on top of your tattoo can harbor bacteria, making it more susceptible to infection, and can suffocate it, leading it to scab more than it should.

  • Never use any kind of ointment like Neosporin, other forms of triple antibiotics, or Vaseline. These will make your tattoo scab, since that’s how it helps heal regular cuts.

  • The first night or 2, your tattoo may leak while you’re sleeping which can transfer to your sheets. This typically washes out. If you have pets, it is recommended that you change to clean sheets, since bacteria (animal hair, dander, paws outside/litter box) can lead to infections. You can opt to wear a clean shirt or pants to cover your tattoo instead, which can also prevent ink/plasma transfer to your sheets.

  • Over the next 3 days, after washing your hands, wash your tattoo 2-3 times a day with the unscented soap.

  • Pat dry with a fresh, clean towel or clean paper towels.

  • After drying, apply the Aquaphor or A&D ointment, making sure to rub it in as much as possible.

  • Around day 4 your tattoo will begin to peel like a sunburn. Do not pick or exfoliate any of the loose skin. Make sure to let it all fall off naturally.

  • You can now stop washing it and begin keeping it moisturized with regular unscented lotion, such as Cetaphil, for the next 2 weeks.

  • If needed, you do receive 1 complementary touch-up within the first 6 months of your appointment date. Please send photos along with your touch-up request to schedule.

RECOVERY DERM AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS

  • A clear, latex-free, breathable bandage is placed on your new tattoo with an approximate 1” boarder.

  • Leave this bandage on for 3 days minimum or 7 days maximum. (3-4 days is ideal)

  • It eliminates scabbing, protects your healing tattoo from outside irritants/bacteria, and overall typically gives a better and easier healing process.

  • If your bandage fills with blood/fluids, this is normal. Do not try to relieve the fluids or break the seal in any way as this can lead to bacteria entering the bandage.

  • If your bandage begins to lift or expose your tattoo in any way, immediately remove it and proceed with standard aftercare (above) without the bandage.

  • If you develop any sort of reaction to the adhesive or bandage materials (redness, itchiness, hives, etc.) remove the bandage and proceed with regular aftercare.

  • WHEN REMOVING THE BANDAGE, DO NOT PULL UP AND ACROSS LIKE A BANDAID.

  • Removing Recovery Derm is similar to removing a 3M strip that has been placed on a wall - you pull it down and away from your tattoo. Please review this short Youtube video on how to properly remove here.

  • Removing the bandage improperly can result in ripping off parts of your skin or your new tattoo.

EXTRA INSTRUCTIONS

  • No swimming (pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, oceans, etc) or soaking (bath tubs, long hot showers) which can cause bubbling and poor healing, for the first 2 weeks. Your tattoo is an open wound and there are a lot of dangerous water borne bacterial diseases that put you at risk of infection. You can read more about this from Healthline here.

  • Make sure to use sunscreen if you will be outside while your tattoo is healing, and use sunscreen when it’s done healing to preserve the integrity over time.

  • UV rays can break down ink molecules, which can dull and fade your tattoos, especially color. The most susceptible to this are red and yellow, which can even cause an allergic reaction in some (it has happened to me) when exposed to UV and broken down. Sunscreen is your friend!

  • Allergic reactions - some individuals can have allergic reactions to the ink. This can be as soon as the first week of getting your tattoo, or years after you’ve had your tattoo. Typically these reactions are not life-threatening (anaphylactic), but can produce hives and be uncomfortable. If the reaction happens after it’s healed, it’s recommended to take an antihistamine (Benadryl, Zyrtec, etc) and put an anti-itch cream like hydrocortisone on it to relieve discomfort. This is an immune-mediated reaction where your body recognizes the ink in the dermis layer as a foreign invader. It’s most common for this to happen when there are high white blood cell counts (when you’re sick) or having high histamine levels (during seasonal allergies), but can occur at any time with no apparent cause.

  • Try not to wear any clothing or jewelry that will continuously rub or irritate your healing tattoo, as this can prolong the healing process.

  • If you notice any grey/foggy spots while your tattoo is healing, this is completely normal. The damaged first layer of skin (the epidermis) is shedding and the color (that sits in the dermis) will typically come back when all of the damaged cells have shed - this can typically take 4-6 weeks. On larger or color pieces, this can take up to 6 months.

  • If you have a minor infection spot, it is advised to keep it clean, but let it dry out and do not add ointment. Many minor infections don’t need medical intervention.

  • True infection will cause the red to spread far past the tattoo site, be very painful and hot, and typically ooze an opaque liquid (pus). You can also run a fever. Though this is rare, antibiotics and medical intervention would be needed.

  • Sometimes people can have some pretty significant swelling after a tattoo, which is usually from an immune-mediated response. Taking an antihistamine such as Benadryl, icing and elevating, and taking pain relievers like Tylenol can minimize these symptoms. If you bruise after the swelling goes down, this is normal. (This happens to me every time I get a tattoo)

IF YOU EVER HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE REACH OUT AND FEEL FREE TO SEND PICTURES

YOU CAN REACH ME AT TATTOOS@PALEARTIST.COM OR BY MESSAGING MY WORK PHONE DIRECTLY AT (303) 731-2058