Here are some quick reminders of how to properly take care of your tattoo once you leave the shop. It is very important that you follow these instructions throughout the duration of your healing process. Tattoo aftercare is nothing to take lightly. All tattoos come with a risk of infection because they are open wounds, BUT following these steps carefully will dramatically decrease the risk of infection.

1.   LEAVE THE WRAP ON FOR 3-4 DAYS

   Our shop uses an adhesive healing bandage to cover your tattoos, commonly known as Saniderm or Tegaderm. We recommend leaving the wrap on for 3-4 days. It is water resistant and should not come off even if you shower. It is not waterproof so you should not submerge it underwater at all. If water does happen to get inside, you should take it off immediately followed by washing it with antibacterial soap and applying unscented lotion after it dries.

2.   WASH WITH ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP

   We recommend washing with any antibacterial soap. Any soap with antibacterial bodies will help keep your tattoo clean and free from any pathogenic bacteria that can invade healing skin. Wash 2-3 times daily for at least 2 weeks. So morning, afternoon, and night would be good. And whenever it gets into contact with something dirty such as animals, people, food, sweat etc. It’s okay to wash over 3 times if needed.

3.   APPLY UNSCENTED LOTION

   We highly recommend this over any other form of moisturizing your tattoo. You can apply as much as you’d like without affecting your tattoo. Just make sure you put it on after every time you wash it and also throughout the day whenever it gets dry. While ointments like Aquafor are not necessarily bad at all for your tattoo, it is often not used properly. With Aquaphor, there is a risk of applying too much. It can cause a rash or “over heal” your tattoo into a faded version of how it should have healed. IF you decided to use Aquaphor, just make sure you only apply a thin layer each time.

4.   SCABBING

   Scabbing is normal for your tattoo. Especially when the skin was heavily worked doing solid black or color. DO NOT pick at the scabs or scratch your tattoo. Just apply the unscented lotion to help with the dryness. Itching is also normal. And if it really itches, just tap it lightly rather than scratch it. Doing so can affect the healing process and the final look of your tattoo.

5.   AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT

   During and after your healing process. But ESPECIALLY while it’s healing. Direct sunlight, even over a short period of time, can cause small red itchy bumps, fading, scarring, and even color spreading to your tattoo. It helps to cover your tattoo with loose fitting clothing. Once your tattoo is fully healed (about a month) it can be in contact with direct sunlight. We just recommend you put sunscreen on to avoid premature fading.

6.   AVOID THE OCEAN AND POOLS

   For at least two whole weeks. You can get a really bad infection coming into contact with either during the first 2 weeks of healing. And it can heal very badly after. Even with the wrap on, it does not save your tattoo from submerging in water. Shower water is okay once the wrap is off.

If you have any questions, please contact Rising Sons Tattoo