aftercare
the products
When it comes to the appearance of your tattoo, how you care for it is equally as important as the art itself. For that reason, I provide a full aftercare package to all clients who book half and full day sessions (4hrs+). It’s important that you adhere to the following steps after leaving your appointment.
steps for aftercare
When your tattoo is complete, I will cover your tattoo with a Tattoo Armour bandage. Alternatively, I may provide Saniderm instead. If so, you will only need to follow steps 2 & 3 of the following list and repeat daily for at least three weeks.
Remove the pad the following morning. You’ll notice that the pad has absorbed all the extra pus in the shape of the image you now have on your skin.
When you remove your bandage, clean the area of any excess plasma and blood with the provided soap. Use clean hands when doing so. Do not use washcloths or anything other than your hands. Do not scrub the tattoo, just gently wash off the blood, plasma and ink that may be on the surface of the skin. Remember that a fresh tattoo is an open wound. After the tattoo has been cleaned and rinsed, GENTLY pat dry with a clean paper towel using a tapping motion. Do not use bath towels or anything other than a clean paper towel to dry the tattoo.
After the tattoo is completely dry, gently massage a very thin layer of Hustle Butter over the surface of the tattoo. The desired result should be that the ointment is no longer visible on the surface of the skin and the tattoo should appear smooth, shiny and hydrated. Leaving the excess ointment on the surface of the skin can smother and irritate the tattoo. It is also important to make sure the tattoo is completely dry before applying the ointment as any water that is trapped under the ointment can result in the tattoo becoming water logged, causing further complications.
After you’ve moisturized your tattoo, place a new pad on the tattooed area. Make sure you cover the tattoo area properly and have some extra padding around the tattoo area. This prevents any excess plasma and blood from oozing out. Tape the pad to your non-tattooed skin.
Replace the pad at night before bed, cleaning and moisturizing like in steps 2 & 3. Sleep with the pad on. You don’t need to wake up in the middle of the night to change your pads. Sleeping with the pads on is definitely the most comfortable option available. Always go to bed with a clean pad. Repeat steps 1 through 5 for three days.
After 3 days there’s no need to wrap your tattoo anymore. You will however still need to wash your tattoo once a day during the healing process, and moisturize your tattoo daily for 3 weeks before switching to lotion.
do’s and don’ts
Showering with your new tattoo is fine, although you will probably not want the shower head pounding on your fresh tattoo. You do not, however, want to submerge or soak your tattoo in any water at any time during the healing process. This means no swimming, taking a bath, or using a hot tub.
Do not tan or expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight while it is healing. Anytime your tattoo is exposed to sunlight, after healing is complete, make sure to use a high SPF sunblock to minimize fading. Sun and tanning bed exposure will fade the tattoo ink regardless of how long it has been healed!
Be hygienic! As mentioned before, your tattoo is an open wound, so keep it clean. Your dog licks its butt, so you do not want it licking your tattoo!
Do not pick or scratch at your healing tattoo. Moisturize and wash your tattoo as normal and let any flakes or scabs come off on their own. Flaking and peeling is what tattoos do when they heal. Let this process happen. If you pick or peel scabs prematurely you will take color our with them.
If you experience excessive redness, pain, rash, puss, or oozing, contact your artist immediately. You may be instructed to call a physician for further instructions.