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Aftercare Instructions Using Ointments


This is a list of the reliable aftercare products that can all be bought on Amazon:

  • After Inked

  • H2Ocean

  • Redemption Tattoo Carei

  • Ink Eeze

 

If you can’t obtain these products, a triple antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin, can be used and bought at any grocery store. Do not use Vaseline or Body lotion on a fresh tattoo; these do not have any antibiotic properties and will only accumulate bacteria, which could lead to infection

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ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR HANDS ARE CLEAN BEFORE TOUCHING THE FRESHLY TATTOOED AREA, OR WEAR GLOVES IF POSSIBLE.

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  1. If you have a bandage or wrap on the tattoo, remove it after 1-2 hours and wash it with warm water and antibiotic soap, like Dial. Scented soaps can sometimes cause irritation.

    • Use only your hands when cleaning the tattoo and avoid using loofas or washcloths.

    • After washing the tattoo, gently pat it dry with a CLEAN towel making sure to not irritate the skin too much
       

  2. Once the bandage has been removed and the area has been cleaned and dried, start applying your ointment. Depending on the product you’re using, you may have to apply it 2-4 times a day for about 4-5 days. The important thing is that the tattoo does not get too dry as this could cause it to scab. Remember to wash your hands before applying your ointment or touching the area.

  3. Do not rebandage your tattoo, unless you’re using Dermshield. You may cover your tattoo with clean new plastic wrap ONLY at night before going to bed to avoid bed sheets or pet hair from sticking to it during sleep. Wash your tattoo as explained before but DO NOT apply ointment this time. After making sure it’s completely dry, loosely wrap with plastic wrap. Wash again in the morning and resume the ointment application.

  4. After 5 days, or once the peeling has begun, you may switch from ointment to body lotion making sure to keep it moisturized about 3 times a day for about another 2 weeks. Keep in mind that applying too much body lotion can sometimes cause people to break out, so try to not over do it.

  5. There might be slight bruising, redness or sensitivity around the area during the first week but the intensity should gradually decrease each day.

 

Sometimes new tattoos will have a hazy look around the two-three week mark but it will go away once the ink has settled in the skin.

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  • NO swimming or submerging the tattooed area in water for prolonged periods of time for two weeks. Showers are fine but no baths.

  • Drinking too much alcohol in the first 24 hrs after a tattoo can thin your blood and cause you to ooze plasma more than normal, which can lead to a slower healing process.

  • Avoid heavy workouts that cause you to sweat, for at least 5 days. Sweating can cause scabbing on a fresh tattoo.

  • Avoid scratching the tattoo or picking at any flakes of skin or scabs that may have developed. If it’s

    itching you can gently pat it.

  • Avoid direct sunlight for prolonged times, especially while the tattoo is fresh. The sun can and will slowly fade your tattoo so always wear sunblock on healed tattoos.s.s.

  • Use common sense and try to be as sanitary as possible to keep the tattoo as clean as possible for the first week until the wound is closed

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With proper care, tattoo infections can easily be avoided. They are very rare these days but please contact a doctor if you notice any sign of infection such as increased redness, swelling, sharp pain, any distinct odor coming from the tattoo, puss or any other discharge. Allergic reactions are sometimes confused with infections but the main difference is that infections are usually very painful, like a sharp pain in the tattoo area, and they usually have some sort of fluid discharge. Allergic reactions usually just cause redness and itchiness. It is recommended to use antibiotics prescribed by a doctor to treat an infection, so do not attempt to treat it yourself.

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