WHAT TO DO

Drink plenty of water.

Remove bandage after several hours.

Wash area with mild soap & warm water.

Apply thin coat of A&D ointment or Auquafor several times a day.

After 48 hours replace ointment with applications of water based fragrance free lotion.

Continue applying lotion several times a day until skin stops flaking.

Some bruising and swelling may occur, this is normal.

Discard lotion once tattoo is healed!

WHAT TO AVOID!

Although the average tattoo takes 1 to 2 weeks to heal we do not recommend the following activities the first month; swimming, hot tubs, exposing to excessive steam, or submerging under water (baths) Showers are fine (in fact encouraged).

Do not shave the area until completely healed.

About the 4th or 5th day your tattoo will itch and begin to flake and peel. It is very important that you do not pick or scratch at it, this can truly harm your new tatoo, a light slap will suffice when itching occurs.

Do not expose tattoo to the direct sunlight, this will fade the color.

Do not take advice from tattoo experts in bars or nightclubs!

RUBBING ALCOHOL. Alcohol is far too harsh. It irritates and dries out the skin and can delay healing. It also burns and stings, and may not be as effective on germs (when used topically) as previously thought. Commercial Witch Hazel solutions containing alcohol should also be avoided.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. Peroxide does kill many bacteria, but it also destroys the healthy skin around the tattoo. Used long enough, it can eat away at the skin and actually keep your tattoo from healing.

NEOSPORIN. These include such products as Neosporin, POLYSPORIN, and Triple Antibiotic Ointments. These do not work for more than two weeks,as your body becomes tolerant to the antibiotic in that time.This makes it worthless in healing a tattoo. They also have large amounts of petrolium jelly in them, and more importantly, they will cause your tattoo to fade!

BETADINE/POVODONE IODINE/HIBICLENS. These products may be used for first aid or surgical wound care, but for long term use they are actually too strong and may delay healing. Betadine may also be useful to clear upan infection, but when used too often it can also kill healthy skin cells.