Your tattoo has been applied with sterile, single-use needles and high-quality pigments. The quality of your procedure is dependent on you giving the proper care during the healing process from this point on. Simple care will make a noticeable and permanent difference in the long run!

Day of Procedure:

-  Always wash hands before engaging with the procedure site. 

- Before bed, gently rinse the procedure area with water. DO NOT USE SOAP AT THIS TIME. Dab to dry with a clean cotton ball. Do not rub. This will prevent a thick scab from forming.

-Apply an extremely thin coat of the ointment that is provided.

-Remove any excess ointment on the surrounding skin. Do not put a bandage on, let the procedure area breathe. 

1st Day After:

-In the morning, rinse with water again and blot dry with a clean cotton ball and clean hands. Apply a thin coat of Aquaphor (less is more!). 

-Repeat (3) times throughout the day with clean hands. Allow the procedure area to breathe but keep the area lightly moisturized.

-Do not use any type of make-up, foundation, or other types of harsh lotions with fragrance close to the area.

For the next week and until Healed: 

-Do not allow the procedure area to form dry scabs while healing. Dry scabs can cause pigment to be uplifted from the area. Keep your scab moisturized WELL. DO NOT pick at your scab.

- Avoid lotions with AHA’s, glycolic or salicylic acids. Reapply the lotion several times per day while healing, in order to prevent dry scabbing and itching. 

-Gently clean with water and mild fragrance-free soap several times a day. Blot dry with a clean cotton ball. 

- Please Wait at least four (4) days before applying makeup to the procedure area if it is on your face. And make sure to use clean makeup utensils.  (A ‘new’ mascara is recommended for any procedures around the eyes as old mascara contains bacteria.)    

For the next 4 weeks after procedure and touch-up:

-Avoid tanning beds. 

- Avoid the sun and wind as much as possible during the healing process.

-No swimming in salt or chlorinated water during the healing process. If you must go into the pool briefly, put a good coating of ointment which will help repel the water. Rinse after chlorine or salt water exposure with regular water. Do not rub. 

-Avoid direct contact with animals, no gardening, or contact with soil that may expose the tattoo to fertilizers etc. 

-If the procedure was performed on your face, it is recommended to postpone using anti-aging, brightening lotions on the location of the procedure as much as possible as this can affect the pigment settling in the skin. 

From your first weeks on, to maintain lasting color:

The way you keep your color fresh and new is to keep it out of the sun as much as possible and practice proper sun care habits!

Always use an SPF on the area as sun is the number one reason for premature fading. Try not to use exfoliants or products that are meant to remove dead skin cells on the tattoo area. Using these on the tattooed area may result in premature fading. If you use these on your face, before application coat the area with a thin coat of Chap-Stick or Aquaphor and/or carefully avoid the area that was worked on.

…AND REMEMBER!

Some redness around the tattoo is normal. Inflammation is part of the natural healing process. A soft scab is a good scab. Avoid touching the area with dirty hands, objects while healing. 

Most of the time, pigments can take even up to 6-10 weeks to properly settle in color. This is part of the tattoo healing. The tattoo may seem more noticeable at first but as soon as the top layer heals and gently flakes off, you will have the soft color and natural look that you desire.... It is important to TRUST THE PROCESS! 

*Most Scar Camouflage Tattoos take a few sessions as it is an intricate process of balancing the color and details on your skin*

WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION:

Signs of a tattoo infection may appear across the entire tattoo or only within specific colors. They can include:

• Bumps on your skin (papules) that sometimes contain pus (pustules).

• Nodules, bumps on or below your skin that are larger than papules.

• Some redness and swelling is normal but if it is lasts a long time and is accompanied by other sensations like those below, it may be time to seek a doctor.

  If you have a tattoo infection, you may experience:

• Chills

• Fever

• Inflammation (dermatitis).

• Itchiness

• Pain that worsens

• Soreness

• Sweats

• Puss oozing from the procedure area

• Dizziness/ Fainting

• Drowsiness

• Vomiting