THE CARE AND HEALING
OF YOUR NEW TATTOO
There are so many different opinions and thoughts of how to care for a new tattoo. These are just what we have noticed to work best for our clients, but if you are a "seasoned veteran" when it comes to tattoos, we recommend you stick to what you know helps your body heal best. DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS!!!!
A tattoo typically takes between 1–3 weeks to heal, depending on the client. For example, we have a friend that is fully healed by the 6th day, and another friend that takes nearly 2 months to fully heal. No telling what is the reason why each person is so different but like it states above, everyone is a special snowflake!
These instructions below are not "idiot proof" but we feel that if you read and follow the instructions below, you should have a relatively fantastic heal!
UNWRAP AND CLEAN
When you leave Tattooed Theory with your fresh tattoo, you will be bandaged up typically with plastic wrap or gauze. Take it off after an hour and clean with a liquid anti-bacterial soap. Give it a few minutes to dry before applying the ointment provided — the best way to know it's dry is a sensation of the fresh tattoo feeling "tight"; that normally means the tattoo needs some ointment.
Typically a tattoo studio should be a very sterile environment. That being said, the outside world is a very dirty place, so please keep your tattoo clean. It is very important to clean your tattoo. What we are trying to say is — GET IN THERE! Typically clean it between 2–4 times per day (depending on how active you are).
Some clients are almost "afraid" to clean it because it hurts, but keep in mind, if you don't get in there and massage and lather the tattoo, you're really not doing anything at all. It's the same concept as cleaning a kitchen countertop after cooking food: if you don't put in a little bit of "elbow grease" you didn't really clean it. Now at the same time, we are not telling you to go insane and scrape off 3 layers of your skin — we are just trying to ensure you CLEAN THE FRESH WOUND!
OINTMENT, THEN LOTION
Apply ointment for the first 3–5 days, cleaning the tattoo prior to applying the new layer. Make sure to put on a very thin layer. The best way to know if you have the right amount: if you wave your hand in front of your tattoo and don't feel the air hitting it, you have way too much ointment on. If so, gently dab it dry with a paper towel. The left over ointment will still be in your pores, so there's no need to reapply after dabbing.
Apply a non-scented lotion after the 3rd or 5th day for 2 weeks, or until the tattoo does not feel dry or "tight". Since everyone is a special snowflake, the best way to know you can stop the ointment and switch to lotion is when a "lizard-ly skin" or scab forms. This means your body has created a protective layer and does not require a heavier ointment. PS — still clean your tattoo regularly.
GENERAL TATTOO CARE FOR THE FIRST 1–2 WEEKS
The care during this time is relatively simple. The common rule we tell everyone is: "if it hurts more than when you initially got the tattoo, STOP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING!" The body has a pretty funny way of talking to our minds. If it hurts, DON'T DO IT!
You do not need to re-bandage your new tattoo, even though there are techniques that involve wrapping the tattoo for the entire healing duration. We feel that is more for the tattoo veteran than the first timer, mostly because if the instructions aren't followed exactly it can lead to very bad results.
CLOTHING
Be sure to wear loosely fitted clothing that will not rub against the new tattoo, especially before the first 5 days. If you can, keep it exposed to air and avoid clothing that can stick to or irritate it. If you can't keep it exposed, wear loose, soft clothing.
DO NOT PICK AT IT
If you have lizard skin or scabs, let them fall on their own. The body is a healing machine — it does not need our fingers' help to do so. Keep those picking hands off.
DO NOT SOAK IT
Try to avoid taking baths. Think of your skin like a sponge: when dunked under water your pores open up as much as they can. When that happens to a fresh tattoo, ink will often loosen and fade. No pool, no ocean, no jacuzzi time.
NO HOT SHOWERS
Heat and steam do the same thing as being underwater — your pores open and a faded tattoo becomes more likely. Take lukewarm or semi-cold showers. This helps the pores stay tight so you don't lose color.
AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT
If you ever wanted to know what it feels like to be a vampire, a new tattoo is the best way to find out. A fresh tattoo is a sensitive area. When direct sunlight or UV rays hit it, it feels like your skin is cooking from the inside and it will irritate the tattoo.
STEAMY HOT SEX
Got your attention didn't we? Okay — you've just gotten a great new tattoo, so what are you going to do? Go out and play football? Have a session of hot, aggressive, physical sex? Go on vacation to Hawaii? STOP AND THINK FOR A SECOND… you just paid an X amount of money for a tattoo you're proud to wear, why go and mess it all up?! Two weeks away from the beach, pool, sunbathing, hardcore sex, sports, safari hunting, and fighting dinosaurs won't hurt you! Take a break from the dangers of life and insure you'll heal safely and cleanly!!!
CONCLUSION
Thank you for taking the time to read how to heal the tattoo. If you follow what we said above, you should have a great healing time. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us ASAP.