Healing

All tattoos need to be taken care of thoroughly. However, heavy blackwork tattoos require the utmost aftercare. Healing your tattoo is just as crucial, if not more so, then the tattoo process itself.

It is up to you to take the best care for the best results. Not following these instructions can lead to serious irritation, scar tissue, scabs, infections, ect. Always ask if you are unsure about any of the following information.

TRAVELING CLIENTS

You will be given specific instructions at the time of your appointment on the best way to travel home with your new tattoo, depending on your schedule to go home. Instructions may vary each time, but will be addressed each appointment.

DAY 1 - TATTOO DAY

  • Remove wrap when you get home in the shower.

  • Wash well with a gentle liquid soap and water until the slimy/goopy texture is gone. You may need to use soap more than once. Using just water will not do the job. Do not use anything other than your hand to clean. Firm but gentle stimulation to the skin without scrubbing is best.

  • Wipe gentle with soft clean paper towel to get access blood, ink, and plasma off the surface of the skin. You will see this on the paper towel. Let air dry 15-30 minutes.

  • Do not use a towel or any other fabric to avoid any fibers in the tattoo.

  • When the skin feels dry and tight, massage a VERY light layer of ointment over the tattoo for complete coverage. Less is more. The skin should not look wet from the ointment but merely a chapstick layer. This allows the skin to be hydrated but able to breathe. Only use single use packets of ointment. Containers that you can double dip in can contain bacteria.

  • Wash your tattoo 2-3 using a clean lightly damp paper towel on any small areas that are weeping more than other. Again, firm but no scrubbing.

  • Before bed, after cleaning, and without ointment, wrap entire tattoo area with puppy pads. Make sure only the white part is making firm contact with the skin. These are absorbent and non sticky pads. The first night your body will push out the most liquid. Each following night should be less and less.

  • Do not leave the wrap on for more than 6-7 hours. Any longer than 7 hours, the wrap can begin to produce and harvest bacteria that can lead to infection. The pad is used to protect the tattoo during the times you are sleeping and unaware of your surroundings. It is to be wrapped right before sleeping and left on no longer than needed. If you need to set an alarm, please do so.

  • You may use any oral anti inflammatory throughout healing. I recommend ibuprofen, cod, or arnica. Absolutely no topical treatments other than what you have been told or provided with. Elevation also helps with swelling. Swelling may last 3-6 days depending on the amount of tattooing.

DAY 4 & AFTER

  • Day 4 is when your tattoo should be really dry and tight, no open or wet areas, swelling has gone down a little, there should be no burning sensations when washing or using ointment, and is getting ready to peel.

  • Although the skin may seem completely closed and almost done healing, problems can still be caused by sweating, wearing clothing, or touching unclean surfaces. I recommend still leaning on the side of caution and be sure to listen to your body and what it is telling you is uncomfortable.

  • Wash morning and night. Use thin layers of a white unscented lotion throughout the day as necessary,

  • Make sure to still allow your arm to get dry before reapplying lotion. If you have used other creams or lotions in the past that you liked, now would be a time you can use these.

  • Do not re-wrap at night nor wear any clothing over the tattooed area for at least a few more nights. Use a clean pad as a safe place to rest the tattooed area until heavy peeling has begun.

  • Allow the tattoo to peel at its own pace. Everyone begins and finishes peeling at different times. Some areas of the body take longer than others. You may notice a lot of skin comes off in the shower or thought the day. This is normal. Don’t excessively wash or scrub any of the skin off. It will come off when it is ready.

  • Do not itch or scratch the tattoo. The more you scratch the more it will itch. Try massaging a thin layer of lotion into the skin or using an ice pack to relieve the itch.

  • Don’t forget to send peeling pictures!

DAY 2 & 3

  • When you wake up remove the wrap in the shower repeating wash, dry, and ointment steps 3-5 times throughout the day. Remember that ointment needs to be put on in very thin layers. This will keep the surface clean and prevent plasma from collecting on the surface of the skin. Plasma is a natural fluid sent to wounds to help heal. When this liquid collects, dries, and hardens on the surface of the skin this creates a scab. Scabs are an easy way to protect the skin from infection while healing, but scabs are not a tattoos best friend. Your job is to keep the skin clean from germs and bacteria so that it can heal safely without the need of scabs.

  • Right before bed you will wash, dry, and without ointment, re-wrap your tattoo again. This can be done with pads or saran wrap. Do not leave on for more than 6-7 hours.

  • This is a crucial window of healing. Any small negligence of the tattoo can lead to rough healing or infection. Common mistakes at this time are resting the tattoo on unclean surfaces, not washing hands properly before dealing with the tattoo, not considering pet hair or germs either by contact or unclean surfaces such as sheets, wearing clothing on the tattooed area, or pulling fabric of any kind over the tattooed area. What may seem like a small an unimportant detail could lead to a huge problem. Please be aware of your surroundings and make the best decisions for the best and fastest healing.

  • By day three your tattoo should be dry and have little to no plasma on the surface of the skin after washing. If you have areas that are still not dry after washing please contact me.

REMINDERS

  • Always use clean hands when touching or dealing with the tattoo.

  • Do not use bar soap. Soap must be liquid without scent or sparkles. I recommend Dr. Bronners Baby Soap - light blue color or antibacterial soap.

  • Do not use ointment before wrapping at night and use very little when applying.

  • Do not wear materials on the tattooed area until Day 5 or peeling begins. Avoid fuzzy, fibrous, or tight materials throughout the entire healing process.

  • Do not use a towel to dry skin after shower.

  • Do not wrap at night for more than 6-7 hours.

  • Do not use any different lotions or aftercare other than what is given or recommended to you. Ask if you are unsure. There are plenty of options available.

  • Elevation helps a lot with swelling. The faster swelling goes down the faster healing can happen. Feel free to take oral medication like ibuprofen or CBD..

  • Swelling, soreness, minimal redness, and bruising are normal for at least a few days. These should get better over time not worse.

  • Use a pad to rest the tattoo or prevent it from touching unclean surfaces. Allow the area of contact to get lots of oxygen and wash if needed.

  • The first 3-4 days are crucial to healing. Make sure that you have the appropriate amount of time away from activities to heal. If your job is physically demanding make sure you have enough time off. In some cases healing can take up to three weeks. Do not workout, go swimming, be in direct sunlight, take baths, go hiking, go to the beach, work with chemicals, ect until your arm has completely peeled. Your tattoo may be more sensitive to sunlight for a even a few months after. This is normal.

  • PLEASE ASK ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU ARE UNSURE. I AM HERE TO HELP YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS!