Aftercare

Remove the bandage after four hours. All wounds need to breathe if they are to heal properly.

Wash the tattoo twice a day with a mild antibacterial soap and warm water using only your fingertips or hand.

DO NOT scrub the tattoo with a washcloth during the two week healing period.

Always gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean soft cloth or just let it air dry.

Apply a THIN coat of A&D ointment to the tattoo. (A little goes a long way...) Gently, work it in well.

Use just enough to keep the tattoo moist and to keep it from scabbing. Too much ointment will only suffocate the tattoo, so gently dab off excess ointment.

Apply ointment twice a day for 2 weeks.

There is no need to re-bandage the tattoo.

Your skin will form a protective layer that peels off similar to a sunburn

DO NOT peel your tattoo (or anyone else’s for that matter), as you will pull the ink out! It is perfectly normal to see small flakes of colored skin falling off during this stage of healing.

Please refrain from scratching, scrubbing or picking the tattoo.

You must keep your tattoo clean, however, long showers, baths, swimming in the ocean, pools, hot tubs and saunas must be avoided for 2 weeks, or until tattoo is completely healed. Short showers are best, under ten minutes if possible.

The sun is BAD for your tattoo. Sunburn on a new tattoo can cause a lot of problems. Wait until it fully heals before going back in the sun or tanning bed, then be sure to use a high quality SUNBLOCK (not sunscreen).

DO NOT expose your new tattoo to the sun or tanning bed until it is completely healed. Over time, excessive exposure to sunlight will cause your tattoo to fade no matter what colors are used.

If the tattoo is located on your hands or feet, be aware that these areas reproduce skin cells much faster than other parts of the body. A tattoo in these areas will sometimes take an extra two weeks to heal. During this time, refrain from washing dishes, wearing gloves, or wearing socks and shoes (sandals must not rub the tattoo). Any friction of this type WILL wear away the tattoo within a very short period of time.

Individuals heal in different ways, it's hard to tell (especially for first- timers) exactly what will happen - whether the tattoo will scab or peel. A tattoo on one body area may heal completely differently than a tattoo on another area.

There is no way to predict exactly what every tattoo is going to do while healing or how to heal it.

All artists will advise you to keep the tattoo moist. This can keep it from forming a scab. But what happens when that doesn't work?

Sometimes a tattoo just needs to scab. If it does form a scab, discontinue the ointment. Let the tattoo 'dry heal'. You will have to keep an eye on it and keep any scabs from getting pulled off prematurely.

Touch ups are always available.

In most shops, if you follow their directions and the tattoo heals badly, they are responsible for a touch up. If you deviate from their aftercare without seeking their advice and the tattoo heals badly, you forfeit that guarantee.

I will touch up the tattoo within 3 months of the original date at no cost - unless, of course, you abused the tattoo.

     Congratulations on Your New Tattoo!!