Tattoo Aftercare | How to Take Care of Your Traditional Japanese Tattoo

Follow these steps to care for your Irezumi tattoo.

Soak irezumi for 10-15 minutes in hot bath (preferred) or shower as soon as possible after your session.
Wash irezumi with mild soap at the end of the soak. Pat dry with paper towel.
Repeat the soak and wash process before bed, and the next morning.
Do not allow blood, lymph, or ooze to harden on the surface of the irezumi. Wash off as needed with soap and water.
Keep tattoo clean and dry for 3 days.
Use a non perfumed hand lotion starting on day 4 to encourage new skin growth and soothe the tattooed area.
A very thin layer of bacitracin or aquaphor ointment may be applied to areas where irezumi has scabbed over.
Continue to keep irezumi clean and moisturized with hand lotion until it is healed.

Work out using the body part with the new irezumi added to it, working out other body parts is ok, as long as the irezumi isn’t stressed.
Swim in fresh or chlorinated water.
Expose to direct sunlight.
Pick scabs or scratch at the healing irezumi.
Touch your fresh irezumi in public, and then touch public items, or vice versa.

The above guidelines should be followed until the tattoo is completely healed, which will be within 4-8 weeks.
Most healing will take place within the first week or two.
Irezumi will be warm to the touch and painful for a couple days following application.
Some bruising will be incurred, especially in the areas of the chest, collarbone, armpit, upper shoulder, inner bicep, etc- these will heal with time.
Longer healing times will occur in areas that bend alot, have thin skin, or do not tattoo well, such as the inner and outer elbow, armpit, etc.
Swelling will be present for a few days, and sometimes be impressive, especially at the elbow, ankle, etc. Ibuprofen or Naproxen relieves swelling.
Irezumi will not heal perfectly, inconsistencies will emerge as we are dealing with living tissue and an art that is alive!

See a doctor or a dermatologist in the rare occurrence of infection, which would likely be caused by a client’s unclean work or home environment.
Infection, which is very rare, would be indicated by very swollen, very red skin, with deep wounds that ooze yellowish or greenish discharge.
An allergic reaction, also rare, can occur as a result of the tattoo process. A dermatologist would be recommended.
An allergic reaction is usually indicated by excessive redness, a breakout of pimples or bumps on or around irezumi.
In the case of allergic reaction, immediately discontinue use of lotion or ointment being used. This is the most likely cause of the reaction.
Other causes of allergic reaction are: new laundry detergent, a new soap or personal hygiene product, exposure to environmental allergens.

Irezumi will spread and blur over the years.
Irezumi will be faded with exposure to sun over time.
Irezumi may temporarily raise in reaction to seasonal allergies or insect bites
Irezumi may enhance your life, open doors for you, instill desire for you in the opposite sex, and expose you to a life you have never experienced before!