Aftercare
Aftercare Cheat Sheet
(Detailed instructions below)
Our responsibility is to give you a beautiful tattoo – your responsibility is to keep it that way.
No picking, no scratching, no soaking until it’s healed
It is better to leave a tattoo completely alone than to fuss with it too much
Bandages: keep on minimum 4 hours, maximum 24
Wash with unscented soap and clean hands
Pat dry and leave alone for 24 hours
After 24 hours use unscented lotion like Lubriderm
If the lotion stings, it’s scented. It shouldn’t sting.
Moisturize at least 2 – 3 times a day, more if it’s very dry and/or itchy
No swimming or baths for 2 weeks
Eat fruit, drink water and avoid binge drinking
If any questions arise, do not hesitate to contact us – we will be happy to answer any and all questions.
Detailed Aftercare Instructions
If you are unsure at any point how to care for your new tattoo, or have any questions, please contact the shop. We want to ensure you keep your tattoo looking beautiful. The way you look after your tattoo plays a large role.
Bandages
The artist will wrap your finished tattoo in a bandage to hold in some of the bleeding and to protect it from outside elements. Please leave it on for a minimum of 4 hours. You will have this tattoo forever – your friends can wait 4 hours to see it.You can leave the bandage on for a maximum of 24 hours. It is strongly recommended that you keep it covered the first night while you sleep – this will protect your tattoo from the sheets and vice versa. Tattoos are superficial wounds and do not need to be covered once the original bandage is removed.
Washing
When you remove the bandage, immediately wash the tattoo. Wash the area with a fragrance-free (no perfumes/scents) soap and the palm of your hand. This will remove the naturally-occurring blood cells and Vaseline as well as any debris that might have collected. Do not use a wash-cloth as they can hold bacteria and introduce lint to the tattoo. You can even just use water and no soap.
Pat (don’t rub) the tattoo dry, with either a paper towel or other very clean towel. If you are using a product like Tattoo Goo or other tattoo-specific ointment, you may apply it after the first cleaning. This is not necessary, however. If at any point you feel stinging from applying a soap or a cream, stop using it – it probably has perfume in it.
A general point to remember is that it is better to leave a tattoo alone than to fuss with it too much. Trust that your body knows how to heal itself.
Moisturizing
You have removed the bandage, washed the tattoo and let it be for 24 hours. It is now time to start moisturizing. Once again, if you feel stinging it is too soon or the product you are using is too harsh. Stop and let your tattoo rest a while. Try again the next day.
The point of the moisturizer is to help control the scab. The scab must not get overly thick or to the point of cracking – this might push out too much ink and leave you with gaps in your lines or colour. Moisturizer will also help alleviate much of the itching associated with a healing tattoo. Apply the moisturizer at least 2 – 3 times a day or as needed. Place a very thin layer and gently rub it into your skin until it is absorbed. Because it is very dry in the Yukon, you may need to moisturize every couple of hours.
Monitor the tattoo and don’t let it get too cracked or itchy. You can use products readily-available like Lubriderm, Glysomed or other non-scented, non-coloured lotion. Products that are safe for babies are usually a good bet too.
The Healing Process
After a couple of days, your tattoo may start to peel and you will see bits of colour flaking off. The image may appear to fade back quite a bit. This is totally normal. Keep applying the lotion and your tattoo will be healed within a week. After 2 weeks it will look how it’s going to look forever if you look after it properly.
No Sun – No Soaking – No Picking!
No sun: keep your tattoo completely out of the sun while it is healing, and after that it is a good idea to cover or use sun-screen on your tattoos when you are outside.
No soaking: while showering, just keep your tattoo in the water long enough to wash, then turn around. No swimming, baths, hot tubs, etc. are allowed for the first two weeks. Your tattoo must not get too dry, but soaking is just as bad as it could pull out ink.
No picking: just don’t, OK?
Proper nutrition and general self-care can greatly affect your tattoo. If your lifestyle includes daily drinking or junk food, make sure you make a point of eating some fruit in the days after you get your tattoo. Pineapple and bananas add electrolytes and potassium to your body and help with the healing process. Drink lots of water and get enough sleep.
A Note on Alcohol
Clients who consume a lot of alcohol immediately after getting a tattoo often find that the healing process is delayed and/or they lose ink as a result, requiring a touch-up soon after. While touch-ups are free, clients may be charged a small fee for a touch-up if there are obvious signs of disregard during the healing period.
Please note: clients who show up for appointments either intoxicated or very hung-over will be kindly asked to reschedule.