Tattoo Aftercare | Traditional Tattooing

Follow these steps to care for your new tattoo.

Soak your fresh tattoo for 10-15 minutes in hot bath (preferred) or shower as soon as possible after your session.
Wash tattoo 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, if possible. Washing without soaking is acceptable, when short on time.
Do not allow blood, lymph, or ooze to harden on the surface of your new tattoo. 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 the tattoo has scabbed over.
Continue to keep tattoo clean and moisturized with hand lotion until it is healed.

Work out your newly tattooed body part, working out other body parts is ok, as long as the tattoo isn’t stressed. Return with caution to full workout when all the scabbing is gone- probably between 1-2 weeks.
Swim in fresh or chlorinated water.
Expose to direct sunlight.
Pick scabs or scratch at the healing tattoo.
Touch your fresh tattoo 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.
Your fresh tattoo 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.
Most tattoos 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 the fresh tattoo.
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.

All tattooing will spread and blur over the years.
Your tattoo will be faded with exposure to sun over time. I do not recommend sunblock, which is full of unpronounceable chemicals. Keep tattoo covered with clothing if increasing its longevity is a concern.
Your tattoo may temporarily raise in reaction to seasonal allergies or insect bites.
Finally, your tattoo may raise testosterone in males and femininity in females, and instill desire for you in the opposite sex!