TATTOO AFTERCARE
Each artist at Huzz Ink works directly with clients to create body art based on their input, but also provides guidance and artistic vision for the process. We believe you should pay serious attention to the aftercare of your new tattoo, and also protecting it from getting damaged on the long run.
LISTEN TO YOUR TATTOO ARTIST
WE JUST DID HALF OF THE JOB
We will provide detailed instructions on how to care for your new tattoo, which you should follow carefully. Think of your tattoo as having a warranty; if you don't follow the instructions, you might void the warranty, and we will not retouch it for free.
LEAVE THE COVERING ON FOR 2-6 HOURS
MINIMUM 2 AND MAXIMUM 6
Once the tattoo is complete, your tattoo artist will clean the area, apply an anti-bacterial ointment and cover the tattoo with a bandage. Resist the temptation to open the bandage. It is there to protect your tattoo from airborne bacteria, which can penetrate through your broken skin. The bandage should be left on for aminimum of two hours before you remove it.
CAREFULLY REMOVE THE BANDAGE
ANOTHER HAND MIGHT BE THE BEST OPTION
Carefully tear or loosen the tape to remove it, preferably on a sink or if the tattoo is big then it is better to remove it in the shower or soak it with warm water to prevent it from sticking to your skin. It should come off easily once wet. Discard the used bandage in a bag to prevent blood borne pathogens.
GENTLY WASH THE TATTOO
USE ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP
Lukewarm water and mild, unscented liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap. Remove all traces of blood, plasma, or leaked ink. Do not use a washcloth, loofah or any sponge to clean the tattoo, as these may harbor bacteria.
Do not hold the tattoo directly under the water.
If your new tattoo is covering a large area of skin, wash the tattoo in the shower.
DRY WITH A SOFT PAPER TOWEL
PAT THE TATTOO VERY GENTLY NO RUBBING
Once you have thoroughly washed the tattoo, you should gently pat it dry with a little paper towel. Do not rub the tattoo, as this may cause irritation. Once the excess moisture has been removed, you should leave the tattoo uncovered for 20 minutes to an hour. This will allow the tattoo to breathe and any excess moisture to evaporate.
You should allow your tattoo to breathe like this after each time you wash it or get it wet.
APPLY ANTIBACTERIAL OINTMENT
3 TIMES A DAY FOR TWO WEEKS
Once your tattoo is fully dry, and the skin begins to feel tight you can apply a little ointment, such as Fucidin ointment, to the tattoo. Make sure to apply only a VERY THIN layer that's just enough to make the tattoo shine and rub it in gently until it's absorbed by the skin. It's very important that you don't apply too much ointment, or else you'll suffocate the tattoo and encourage the growth of bacteria.
DON'T USE VASELINE OR REBANDAGE
THE TATTOO WILL NOT BREATH AND GET INFECTED
The worst enemy of your tattoo during healing is Vaseline or any other petroleum gel. As is clogs the pores and prevents the tattoo from healing, which will lead to a definite infection. The bacteria will be trapped in between the gel and your skin this process will make the tattoo suffer because the gel lasts for a very long time and in fact has no important function to the healing process.
KEEP THE TATTOO CLEAN AT ALL TIMES
WASH TWICE A DAY
You should continue to wash your tattoo with anti-bacterial soap and warm water and apply the ointment after until it is fully healed. This can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the size and location of the tattoo. You should wash the tattoo approximately three times a day, though you should wash more often if the tattoo is on your hand, wrist, foot, or any other area that is more exposed to germs.
DO NOT SCRATCH OR PICK AT YOUR TATTOO
THE INK WILL COME OFF
As it heals, your tattoo will begin to scab. This is normal, and the scabs should be allowed to dry out and fall off by themselves. Do not try to help the process along by picking at the scabs. This may cause the scabs to fall off prematurely, leaving holes or light spots on your tattoo.
Keep using moisturizing ointment to combat itchiness if it is a problem.
AVOID SOAKING THE TATTOO
SHOWERING IS FINE UNDER 5 MIN
Until your tattoo is fully healed, you should avoid swimming in a pool, in the sea, or even soaking in the bathtub. Exposing your tattoo to too much water may draw ink out of your skin. The water in swimming pools, the sea, and the bathtub may be carrying dirt, bacteria, chemicals and other impurities that will cause infection.
DO NOT EXPOSE YOUR NEW TATTOO TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT
SUN WILL STING YOUR SKIN
Direct sunlight disrupts the healing process. some sun is fine but during the first two weeks the skin is going through the process of building new layers of skin cells and the sun's UV light will damage these cells. After two weeks of healing it is fine to expose it to the sun but still in general the Sun damages the skin and therefore the tattoo as well.
AVOID TIGHT FITTING CLOTHES
IT WILL RUB THE SCABS OFF
As your tattoo heals, it will seep plasma and excess ink, which may cause the clothing to stick to the tattoo. The clothing will then be painful to remove and may rip off any freshly formed scabs.
If your clothing does stick to your tattoo, DO NOT PULL! Firstwet the area with water, which should loosen the clothing to where it can be removed without damaging your tattoo.
tight clothing will prevent enough oxygen from getting to your tattoo, and oxygen is essential for the healing process.
IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO ON A MOVING PART OF THE BODY
AVOID WORKING OUT IF YOU FEEL DISCOMFORT
Tattoos that cover large surface areas, or are near joints), may take longer to heal if the skin is forced to move around too much during intense workouts or other physical activity. The movement will cause the skin to crack and become irritated, prolonging the tattoos healing process. For this reason, you should avoid unnecessary workouts for at least a few days after getting a new tattoo. You may want to consider having your new tattoo done on a Friday, so it will have the whole weekend to heal work.
ALSO IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO ON A MOVING PART OF THE BODY
AVOID SWELLING
Swelling may occur with new tattoos on your feet, ankles or calves, especially if you have been standing for long periods of time. If this happens, you can reduce swelling by taking on Ibuprofen, applying an ice pack to the swollen area, and elevating your feet and legs.
CONTACT US ANYTIME FOR MORE INFORMATION
TIPS
Don't shave the tattoo until it's fully healed. If you shave around it, don't let the shaving cream or hair irritate or infect the tattoo.
DO NOT COVER THE TATTOO AFTER the initial cover the artist applied after you had the tattoo done. Tattoos need air to heal, and plastic wrap or gauze will only suffocate the tattoo and prolong healing. When sleeping at night, simply avoid laying on the tattoo, and if you are worried about ink coming off lay a towel down underneath you to prevent the tattoo from becoming stuck to your bedsheets.
Using a cold gel pack is always a good alternative to the traditional ice pack.
Running an itchy tattoo under hot water for a minute will provide about 3-4 hours of comfort, allowing you to fall asleep without the irritation keeping you up at night.
Don't wash your new tattoo with hot water. Hot water opens up skin pores and will likely hurt your sensitive skin.
After healing process is done still apply creams periodically especially if you have a colored tattoo to enhance and protect the color.
Avoid fluffy clothing as the fluff can get into your scabs and cause infection.
Cold can help get rid of the itch. Gently rest an ice pack on the tattoo.
Avoid using saunas and steam rooms while your tattoo is healing, as the moisture may draw pigment from the skin.
Bepanthen (commonly used on baby's nappy rash) is a good ointment to put on to help heal and stop itching your tattoo AFTER TWO WEEKS.
Products containing grape seed oil, shea butter, calendula, and helichrysum are beneficial to the skin in general, and may help speed the healing process.
BE CAREFUL WE FINISHED OUR PART NOW IT IS YOUR TASK TO CARE FOR IT
WARNING !!
Do not leave the bandage/plastic wrap on for more than six hours. These keep in the heat and as the tattoo is weeping it can start to cause bacteria build up, leading to infection.
Even after your tattoo has healed, it may feel a little bumpy. This is because the ink still needs to "settle." This usually takes about four weeks.
Do not use products like Neosporin or Vasiline. They are not for puncture wounds (and remember, your tattoo is just thousands of little puncture wounds). This will cause the skin under and around your tattoo to heal too quickly.