•Remove bandage after 3 hours and rinse tattoo with clean water gently removing any dried blood, ink, etc. Do not re-bandage. Wash your tattoo gently 4-5 times per day for the next 3 days.
•Your tattoo should be healed in 14 days.
•After the third day, apply a small amount of a good quality unscented moisturizer a few times daily to keep it from drying out as it heals. Some products work for some people but not for others. Always do a “test spot” on a small area of your tattoo before applying it to the entire area… STOP USING IF YOU NOTICE INCREASED REDNESS, STINGING, OR DISCOMFORT OF ANY KIND!! IF YOUR TATTOO GETS “WEEPY OR RUNNY” THIS IS NOT NORMAL. WASH YOUR TATTOO IMMEDIATELY WITH MILD SOAP AND WATER AND CONTACT THE SHOP. These are all signs of a reaction to the moisturizer you are using and you must discontinue use if you wish your tattoo to heal properly.
•Using moisturizer on your tattoo is only to keep it from dying out. Do not use excess amounts as this will cause your colour to fade.
•SUN EXPOSURE WILL RUIN YOUR TATTOO IN LESS THAN 1 MINUTE IN THE FIRST 3 WEEKS OF HEALING!!! This applies to tanning beds also. If the sun is intense it will penetrate a thin cotton t-shirt so beware! Sun exposure will fade your tattoo at any time after healing so always use sunscreen SPF30 (sunscreen is for healed tattoos only).
•Do not soak your tattoo in a hot tub, pool, lake, bath tub, sauna, etc. for at least 2 weeks. It is ok to get your tattoo wet in the shower- you want to keep it clean but be brief. Do not pick any scabs or scratch your tattoo. Be very careful not to allow clothing to rub or irritate your tattoo (waist bands, tags, etc.). This will cause inflammation and will interfere with healing.
THE FINAL OUTCOME OF YOUR TATTOO IS UP TO YOU! TAKE CARE OF IT!