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Aftercare instructions

Everyone heals at different speeds. Your new tattoo may take approximately two weeks to heal on the surface and up to two months to heal completely.

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WASH YOUR HANDS  Never touch your new tattoo without first washing your hands thoroughly with soap. 

Wash your hands after touching your tattoo. Your new tattoo is an open wound and should be treated as such.

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Remove bandage or covering in 2-6 hours. If you receive the tattoo late and leave the bandage overnight, soak the bandage before removing. Make sure you can wash your tattoo when you remove the bandage.

Wash the tattooed area gently 2-3 times daily with warm water & soap. Do not scrub! Pat dry with a clean paper towel or air dry.

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DO NOT RE-BANDAGE 

 

  AVOID USE OF PETROLEUM 

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After cleansing apply a very thin coat of Aquaphor to the tattooed area, rub it in well as you would lotion (if the area appears glossy then you have applied too much) just pat off the excess with a paper towel. With soap, clean hands apply ointment periodically in a very, very thin layer throughout the day as needed to keep the area moist. Do not over-saturate the area with ointment your tattoo must be allowed to “breathe”. 

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Smothering your tattoo with ointment will just prolong your healing time. But also keep a balance between moisture and oxygen, do not let the area dry out.

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After three days, switch from “ointment” to a fragrance-free lotion, such as Aveeno with oatmeal, Keri, Curel, 

Lubriderm, or Vaseline brand’s Intensive Care lotion. 

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If you work under very dirty conditions or have to wear tight clothes, you can tape a dry paper towel loosely over your tattoo. Try to wear loose cotton clothing around your tattoo. It is normal for your tattoo to flake off tiny pieces of colored skin while it is healing, but you don't want to force it.

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DO NOT RUB, PICK OR SCRATCH

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If your tattoo itches you can slap it. 

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No direct sunlight, chlorine pools, hot tubs, tanning booths or beds, or swimming for at least 2 weeks!

Only expose tattoo to long periods of sun after it is fully healed and then with a strong sunscreen applied, so as to protect it from the fading effects of radiation. 

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If you ever have a question or problem with your tattoo, you should call me immediately. 

I will be able to give you further instructions for proper care. 

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Problems often occur when:

- The tattoo is handled without washing hands.

- The tattoo is subjected to harsh chemicals or conditions (chlorine, direct sunlight, tanning beds). 

- The tattoo is subjected to bacteria (in hot tubs, pools, lakes, tanning beds, pet hair, etc.)

- When the tattoo is neglected and aftercare is not followed.

- Using the wrong products for cleansing and healing.

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