BODY ART TATTOO

PRIOR TO GETTING TATTOOED:

• HYDRATE

• MOISTURIZE THE AREA

• REST

• DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL IN EXCESS THE NIGHT BEFORE

• NO TANNING (INCLUDING SELF-TANNER)

+IF YOU ARE HEALTHY YOUR SKIN WILL BE HEALTHY AND WILL PROMOTE GOOD HEALING

DAY OF YOUR TATTOO APPOINTMENT:

• EAT WELL

• BRING A DRINK (SOMETHING HYDRATING)

• NO WEIGHT TRAINING OR EXTREME-SPORTS (DUE TO SWELLING)

THE CARE AND HEALING OF YOUR NEW TATTOO. For best results in healing your tattoo please follow these instructions :

A Tattoo typically takes 10 to 14 days to heal.  

WHEN your Tattoo Artist has finished applying your Tattoo he or she will typically "wipe" the Tattoo down, apply a thin coat of ointment, and then bandage it.  

AFTER 1-3 hours you remove the bandage in a clean environment, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild FRAGRANCE-FREE, DYE-FREE soap to gently wash away any ointment, ink, blood and/or plasma and to completely clean the area. KEEP IN MIND THAT SOME AREAS LIKE THE BACK AND RIBS CANNOT BE WASHED IN A SINK SO TAKING A SHOWER IS BEST. Do not submerge your tattoo (showers are fine) and do not use a rough washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. Then pat (do not RUB) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Then apply a thin even coat of UNSCENTED/WATER BASED lotion such as Lubriderm. Do NOT RE-BANDAGE. 

MOISTURIZING is very good, over moisturizing is very BAD. This cannot be over-emphasized! Over moisturizing your Tattoo will alter healing, lead to heavier scabbing, and potential loss of color from your new Tattoo. At the same time -Not moisturizing will cause excess peeling, cracking and always lead to color loss. Your tattoo needs oxygen to heal, so let it breathe. You are looking for the happy medium. Soft moisturized skin that is not greasy or dry. It's important to make sure to fully rub in the lotion and do not to leave any excess lotion on your tattoo. Your tattoo should never feel damp or greasy. Apply 3-4 times per day during the healing process.

CLOTHING : You will also want to be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing that will not rub against the Tattoo -- especially in the first 2 or 3 days of healing.  It is better to keep your freshly Tattooed skin exposed to the air during the healing process if at all possible, and if not, to avoid tight clothing that can "stick" to the Tattoo, or clothing that will cause you to perspire where you have been Tattooed, etc. DO NOT PICK at your new Tattoo. Ideally, after a few days the skin will form an "onion-peel" like a sunburn. Peeling and flaking is a normal part of the natural healing process. Allow this to slough-off naturally while showering -- some will also dislodge when you gently rub lotion into the Tattoo. It will also start to itch as the skin starts to heal itself, this can be very annoying but resist the urge to scratch (applying lotion can help calm the itch)! Picking or scratching your tattoo while healing will damage your Tattoo. ALLOW THE SCAB TO COME OFF AT ITS OWN PACE.

KEEP IT CLEAN!  Sure, this is stating the obvious -- but remember -- especially the first day or two, the Tattoo is an OPEN WOUND until a skin barrier is formed again.  So -- avoid things like leaning your Tattoo on bar surfaces, theatre seats, handrails, etc.  -- be conscious that you are still healing. Don't touch your Tattoo yourself if you have not washed your hands. EXERCISE IS OK, AS LONG AS YOU SHOWER AND CLEAN YOUR TATTOO IMMEDIATELY AFTER WORKING OUT.

+WHAT TO AVOID  No soaking in bath tubs, hot tubs, swimming pools, saunas, or submerging for any reason in the first TWO WEEKS. KEEP YOUR TATTOO PROTECTED FROM THE SUN WITH LIGHT CLOTHING WHILE ITS HEALING. Once it is healed, there is very little that will really screw up a Tattoo. The one BIG exception is prolonged exposure to UV light, i.e., sunlight and tanning beds. Before spending a lot of time in excessive sunlight, protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sunblock. This will keep your tattoo vibrant and protect your investment for years to come!!    

• IMPORTANT: DO NOT LISTEN TO YOUR FRIENDS OR CONSULT THE INTERNET ABOUT TATTOO AFTERCARE. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your healing tattoo don't hesitate to contact us! 

YOUR FIRST TOUCH UP IS FREE, SHOULD YOU NEED IT. Please make sure you schedule your touch up within THREE MONTHS of the original tattoo date, to ensure all ink is settling in and aging at the same rate. Any touch up done after this period will require an artist specific touch up fee.