Always beware of Signs of Infection! 

If detected, visit your doctor:

• Discharge

• Pain

• Redness

• Heat

 

Applying Moisturizer to Your Tattoo

Follow these instructions EVERY TIME

 

1. After washing your hands thoroughly with warm water & antibacterial soap, wash your tattoo with warm water & antibacterial soap

2. Either let the tattoo air-dry or gently pat dry with a disposable paper towel

3. Lotions like Eucerin or ointments like Aquaphor or A&D should be applied in extremely small amounts & should be worked into the skin until none remains on the surface

4. Always get your lotion or ointment from a tube, never a tub

5. Healing tattoos on older/fragile skin may benefit from light application of antibiotic ointment containing cortisol during the first few days after your appointment

6. Excess lotion on a healing tattoo can cause complications!  When in doubt, use far less lotion than you want to & still pat off excess with a disposable paper towel when finished applying

7. Cover your healing tattoo with loose, breathable clothing at all times

8. Do not expose your healing tattoos to germs, dirt, bacteria, pet hair & dander, shared gym equpiment, etc.

 

30 Days of Healing:

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Day 1: Once you are in a location where you can safely clean your tattoo, please remove the bandage your artist applied and follow the instructions above about applying moisturizer.  The first night after your tattoo, you may want to wear old pajamas and/or put a towel down as sometimes tattoos will continue to leach ink and plasma while you sleep.

 

For the next 30 days do not expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight or get in any baths, pools, hot springs, etc.  You may shower as usual.

 

Day 1-7:  You may apply moisturizer to your tattoo using the instructions above up to three times a day.  Continue to keep your tattoo shielded with loose breathable clothing at all times.

 

Day 7-14:  You may notice your tattoo becomes scaly and very itchy at this point.  Do not scratch or pick at your tattoo - you may slap or scratch around your tattoo to relieve the itch.  You may choose to apply moisturizer using the instructions above once a day, if at all.

 

Day 14-21:  Your tattoo should enter its final stages of healing at this point and may not require any moisturizer at all.

 

Day 30:  You may now put sunscreen (30SPF or higher) on your tattoo and may now swim and take baths.  If you need a touch up, you should contact your artist at this time to schedule.

Contact your artist if you have any questions about any of the information provided here: tattoos@heatherreynoldsart.com