SPIRIT ART II IS NOW OPEN
Located in Watertown and Sackets Harbor, NY 315-782-8287TATTOO & PIERCING AFTERCARE
Proper Aftercare is the Key to Prevent Fading of Your Tattoo
If you want your tattoo to have a long life and look great years down the road, you need to give it the proper care during the first few weeks. For example, never let an artist cover your tattoo with plastic wrap instead of sterile gauze. Here are a few more tips:
- Do not use alcohol, Vaseline, or products containing lanolin, petroleum, zinc or zinc oxide. These products will actually clog the skin pores, slow the healing process and cause a loss of ink and color.
- Remove the bandage after 12 hours. Do not remove it to show off your tattoo before the 12-hour period is over. Removing the bandage too early will expose your new tattoo (which is a wound) to foreign particles which may cause infection. It takes approximately 24 hours for a wound to start healing properly.
- Do not re-bandage the tattoo after the 12-hour period. Leaving the tattoo open to the air after the initial time period will speed the healing process.
- When you remove the bandage, wash the tattoo gently by patting (not scrubbing), using an antibacterial soap, soft washcloth or fingers and cool or lukewarm water. This is to remove any excess medication, dried blood or excess ink.
- Dry the tattoo by patting (not rubbing) with a soft, clean towel. Allow to air dry for 10 minutes. Gently apply a very small amount of the tattoo care products recommended for care of tattoos. We recommend Ink Fixx, Tattoo Goo, Tatwax or H2Ocean products. These products are made specifically for the care of new tattoos. Gently apply a thin layer of the product on the tattoo whenever it looks dry, at least 3 - 4 times daily for 12 to 14 days. After the first week, you can use the new Ink Fixx Lotion or Tattoo Goo Lotion, which has additional healing agents in it. You can also continue to use these lotions after your tattoo is healed to maintain the bright, vibrant colors and keep it looking new.
- Tiny protective scabs will form in about 2 days. It is perfectly normal to see some oozing of ink or blood during the first 2 days of healing.
- After 5 - 14 days, the tattoo may start to peel (this is normal like a sunburn) and scab. Do not pick or peel the skin away. Let it fall off naturally during washing or application of the tattoo care products. Fresh skin will soon replace the dead skin. Colors may fade during the process but will return when healing is completed.
- The aftercare products keep your tattoos from drying and the skin areas soft and moist. Always apply sparingly. Too much prevents the skin or tattoo from breathing and can cause leeching of the colors.
- After a few weeks, all scabbing will be gone but the area may still be sensitive. Continue regular cleaning and application of the products for proper aftercare of your tattoo.
- Exposure to the sun is the major cause of tattoo color fading. Always use a sunblock (at least SPF-30 or greater sunscreen that provides UVA and UVB protection).
Important Things Not to Do After You Get a Tattoo
- Do not rub, scratch, itch or pick at the tattoo
- Do not expose the tattoo to direct sunlight
- Do not swim, soak in a sauna or bath, or steam bath for at least 2 weeks
- Do not wear colored clothing that will directly touch the tattoo.
- Do not pick or peel the skin away
Wear only white clothing. Colored clothing has dyes in it and the dye can infect your tattoo.
If you have any questions
about the healing process,
feel free to call your artist.
315-782-8287
Choose from one of our popular flash designs or have one of the artists design a unique tattoo just for you at Spirit Art Tattoos II.
