Traditional Tattoo Aftercare

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR TATTOO CLEAN DURING THE ENTIRE HEALING PROCESS!!!

All natural antibacterial soap without any synthetic fragrances and/or dyes, we recommend Dr. Bronner's. Our favorites formulas are Tea Tree or Baby Unscented.
Brand New Clean Paper Towels (cloth towels can harbor bacteria and should be avoided while you are healing)

We recommend mild lotions without fragrance, such as Cera Ve, Cetaphil, or Lubriderm.

DO NOT use any petrolatum or mineral oil based lotions or moisturizers. DO NOT use aquafor or A&D ointment.
DO NOT use any lotion containing alcohol, synthetic perfumes, or any kind of dyes.

Avoid all activities that will make you sweat such as exercise and extraneous activities. Sweat will create a breeding ground for bacteria. Avoid public gyms and recreation areas, and avoid intimate relations as these locations and activities can lead to a bacterial infection such as STAPH and MRSA.
1-2 hours after receiving your new tattoo remove the wrapping gently and discard. DO NOT RE-WRAP OR BANDAGE THE TATTOO
With warm water wash your tattoo very well with Dr. Bronner's Soap for 2-3 minutes or until all slipperiness is gone.
Apply a Hot Compress to the tattoo for approx. 30 seconds, followed by a Cold Compress for 30 seconds 2 times in a row.
Pat dry with clean paper towels until there is no more weeping. This may take several minutes.
DO NOT let plasma dry on your tattoo, especially before sleeping, this will lead to heavier scabbing and difficulty healing.
Repeat this cleaning 3-4 times per day, depending on activity level, for the first 2 days.

Keep movement of the tattooed area and sweating to a minimum.
Wash your tattoo 3-4 times per day, pat dry with clean paper towels.
When completely dry, apply a thin layer of moisturizer to your tattoo and let absorb completely. DO NOT over moisturize
Repeat these steps everyday until your tattoo is completely healed and all scabbing has peeled and flaked off.
After your tattoo has completely peeled and the new shiny skin is exposed it is important to continue moisturizing twice a day over they next few weeks. Even though your tattoo looks healed the new tissue is still fragile and this continued moisturizing will help the skin as it thickens and and completes its healing.

As you move further along the healing process you may need to moisture a few more times per day. If your tattoo feels itchy, tight and inflexible you need to moisture. If your tattoo is not moisturized enough it may crack and disrupt the healing process, however, over moisturizing is just as bad, so only moisturize when necessary.
Avoid long showers, baths, pools and hot tubs as prolonged exposure to moisture will make your tattoo get "soggy" and disrupt the healing process.
We recommend clean sheets and blankets, especially for the first few days. If you sleep with pets in your bed it's a good idea to keep them off of the bed while you are healing.

As long as you follow these instructions and keep movement and sweating in the tattooed area at a minimum during healing you should heal in 7-14 days depending on the tattoo and area tattooed.
You will develop a light scabbing over the tattooed area that will peel or flake off similar to a bad sunburn.
Regular washing will help gently remove the flaking skin.
DO NOT PICK AT OR SCRATCH YOUR TATTOO DURING HEALING.
Look but don't touch: Feel free to show off your new piece of body art, but don't let anyone touch your healing tattoo. Some people may not know any better and try to touch your tattoo, so it's important to have firm boundaries.