Tattoo Aftercare

Congratulations on getting your new tattoo.
Here is our aftercare instructions on how to heal your tattoo over the next few weeks. 

If you had Saniderm applied – (the sticky clear bandage) please see the Saniderm Aftercare guide.

If you received SkinLock or told to follow general aftercare, please follow the General Aftercare Guide.

THE QUALITY OF YOUR TATTOO DEPENDS ON HOW YOU CARE FOR IT!

We take your aftercare very seriously, so should you –
Please Note:  an infection can happen at any point in time even if all precautions where met and all aftercare was followed at no fault of the artist, or even yourself. Our advice is solely to prevent infection and heal your tattoo/wound ensuring your tattoo looks as beautiful as day one.

Please read the following info as to the post procedure care is met for optimum healing results

This application is permanent pigment implantation, which is a minor surgical procedure which places pigment into the dermal layer of the skin through thousands of skin punctures that the highly skilled technician has carefully imbedded and impregnated your dermal skin layer with tiny droplets of pigment. Using precise and sterile equipment. Which once the procedure is complete will resemble a piece of art, or script that you agreed upon prior to commencing the procedure. 

It is imperative to follow proper hygiene and follow the info providing information to ensure optimum healing results.

All precautions have been met to ensure to protect your tattoo wound from bacteria and germs while you have been in the studio, it is now your mission to do the same to ensure proper healing and to avoid risk of infection from here on out. Failure to do this risks not only damage to the tattoo but also INFECTION!

Healing time does vary person to person, but generally takes 2-3 weeks surface heal and 3-4 weeks to fully heal – it is crucial you follow your aftercare beyond this point.  

EXPOSURE TO TOXINS / BACTERIA

If you work/live in an environment with dirty conditions you run the risk of an infection, nursing homes/hospitals, being around animals, toxic metals/chemicals, and filth of all kinds can cause a SERIOUS infections, be smart and use common sense ... If you have a tattoo on your hand/forearm and you work on a farm or change a diaper you run the risk of an infection The possibilities are endless …

DAMAGED SKIN – If your skin is weak, sun damaged, thin, or you experienced any skin trauma during your tattoo you have a much higher chance that your tattoo will heal poorly.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS

An allergic reaction to tattoo ink is VERY RARE but is still possible. If you are allergic to a pigment it will be evident certain colors in your tattoo bubbling and raising off of your skin resembling a SEVERE scar. If you are concerned about having a reaction to tattoo ink ask your artist about doing a “prick test” where a small dot of each color to be used in your potential artwork is tattooed under your skin at least 24 hours before your tattoo … If you have a lot of allergies sometimes it is better to be safe than sorry …

SIGNS OF A GOOD/NORMAL HEALING TATTOO ……

The tattoo will go through a period where they peel, the skin that peels will be the color of the tattoo, and it will literally look like your tattoo is flaking off the more even the tattoo peels the better the tattoo will look when it is completely healed, underneath the peeled skin you will have healing skin cells that will cause the skin to seem milky rather than transparent, don’t worry about this, you tattoo will be bright in no time, it’s all part of the healing process.

Has the tattoo suddenly become red and swollen, painful, and a funny smell, with or without a strange liquid coming from any part of the tattoo? Any of these symptoms are indicative that an infection has started. Please seek medical attention within 24 hours (family Dr, clinic or even the hospital) you may need oral antibiotics or an antibiotic ointment provided from a physician. If prolonged too long, you could require IV antibiotics and a hospital stay so please don’t hesitate as it is quite serious!

Once you have left the tattoo studio, the tattoo is your responsibility

Things to remember!
Clean & moisturize your new tattoo 4 times daily for the next 2 weeks (14 days) For the next 3 weeks –

  • Absolutely NO direct sunlight on the tattoo.

  • NO Bathing

  • NO Swimming

  • NO Hot Tub          

  • NO Sauna

  • NO Steam Room

  • NO Gym or excessive workouts

DO NOT pick or scratch at your new tattoo

NO shaving or waxing tattoo area until the tattoo is completely healed.
 if your tattoo is located on your foot or leg – NO pedicures for 1 month

DO NOT apply alcohol, Vaseline petroleum jelly or sun block to your fresh tattoo.

DO NOT listen to your friends or so-called tattoo experts. You may get misleading and conflicting information.
( When in doubt contact me. )

ALWAYS Wear loose clothing that does not rub the tattooed area

You should also watch for any signs of infection. You are not super human and even though we here at tattoomachinegirl have undergone several methods of caution to ensure a sterile environment for you to get tattooed in, the rest of the world is not. You have a fresh wound that can get infected very easily. Please follow the provided aftercare instructions to aid in prevention of infection as well as heal your tattoo perfectly and beautifully.