Tattoo Aftercare
A tattoo is more than just a piece of art and a way to express your personal style. It’s a medical procedure too, because the artist uses a needle to insert the ink underneath your skin. Caring for your tattoo is important and can prevent any complications and ensure that the tattoo heals properly.
Traditional Aftercare
1
Wash your hands (Always wash hands before touching a healing tattoo)
4
Rinse and repeat until the area is free of any residue.
7
Repeat steps 1-6 (excluding step 2) for 2 to 3 days. When the tattoo begins to show signs of dryness and itching use an unscented lotion (Cetaphil, Aveeno, Eucerin) INSTEAD OF Aquaphor.
2
Remove the bandage after 2-4 hours (never re-bandage)
5
Pat your tattoo dry using clean paper towels.
8
Repeat this process for 2 to 3 weeks or until your tattoo is healed.
3
Wash your tattoo with running hot water, mild liquid anti-bacterial soap (Gold Liquid Dial, Clear Soft Soap), and a bare hand.
6
Apply a small amount of Aquaphor Healing Ointment on the tattoo until absorbed. Blot excess with a clean paper towel.
9
After your tattoo is healed use a high SPF sunblock to prevent fading.
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Tegaderm/Saniderm Film Aftercare
1
Thoroughly clean your new tattoo using the hot water and liquid antibacterial hand soap
4
Gently stick the bandage to the tattoo, leaving about an inch of extra bandage around the tattoo. If the tattoo is around a mobile area such joints more excess bandage might be necessary
7
If the bandage leaks or the fluid build up becomes uncomfortable remove the bandage, wash the tattoo, and reapply a fresh bandage
10
For large areas pieces can be overlapped by ½ inch
2
Pat the tattoo with clean paper towels, if there is blood or ink on the paper towel, repeat the washing and drying process until nothing appears on the paper towel when you pat dry.
5
Remove the surface backing
8
The bandage can be worn for up to 5 days
11
Do not use if you have an adhesive allergies
3
Peel of the paper or plastic backing to expose the adhesive side of the bandage
6
It is normal for fluid to collect under the bandage, since the bandage is breathable, the fluid should naturally evaporate.
9
When applying make sure affected skin (especially around joints) is in a neutral position
12
Remove and wash immediately if bandage develops a foul odor or pimples-like bumps under it
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DO NOT:
1.) Use moisturizers containing any dyes or frangrances.
2.) Wear clothing that rubs or irritates the tattoo while it is healing.
3.) Expose your tattoo to dirt, grease, chemicals, and sweat.
4.) Submerge or soak your tattoo under water until it is fully healed. (NO swimming pool, hot tub, bath tub, ocean, etc.)
5.) Tan or expose your tattoo to direct sunlight until it is fully healed.
6.) Pick, peel, or scratch your new tattoo.
Health & Safety Notice
While your tattoo is healing, it should feel like sunburned skin. You are advised to contact a physician at the first signs of an adverse reaction, infection, or allergic reaction.
We guarantee all of work and offer any necessary touch-ups at no additional cost.
Outside of normal healing, any concerns that your tattoo has resulted in complications, infection or disease should be reported to your artist or to:
Denver Department of Environmental Health
Public Health Inspections-Body Art
200 W. 14th Ave Ste. 200
Denver, CO 80204
phicomments@denvergov.org
720-865-5401
It is required that the artist reports those conditions to the Department within 24 hours of discovery