Always listen to your artist. Not your mailman, not the internet, not your Uncle Joe, not your friend. Regardless of anything you have done in the past, please follow Tanya’s instructions. She knows what heals her tattoos, as well as what is recommended by the Oregon Health Department.
- DO leave the bandage on overnight.
- In the morning, WASH YOUR HANDS, remove the bandage, and wash the tattoo BY HAND (no washcloths) with warm water and unscented Dr Bronners soap only (No body wash, no antibacterial soap, no Tea Tree Oil soap, nothing with added fragrance or color) Wash well, make sure any blood, goo or anything shiny is gone. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. DO NOT RE-BANDAGE the tattoo. Leave it open to the air all day.
- DO use a LIGHT film of Lubriderm Brand Lotion once daily, opposite your shower. DO NOT put lotion on the tattoo directly out of the shower. Let it dry for a couple hours. DO NOT OVER LOTION YOUR TATTOO; it will cause it to heal light and unevenly. DO NOT use lotions with added fragrance, colors, tea tree, lavender, or anything that says “tattoo.” Starting day 4, you can increase your frequency if you experience tightness or “pulling”.
- DO wash your tattoo gently with soap and water once a day, every day. As the healing progresses, do not scrub off any peeling skin.
- DO NOT use Bacitracin, Neosporin, Vaseline, Aquaphor, A&D ointment, anything thick, or anything that sits on the skin’s surface. Avoid any commercial “tattoo aftercare products”.
- DO WASH YOUR HANDS before touching or applying lotion to a new tattoo.
- DO NOT expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight for 7-10 days or until it’s done peeling.
- DO NOT soak in a tub, sauna, jacuzzi, hot tub, or swim while your tattoo is healing. Showers are fine. Try not to let the shower hit your tattoo directly. Doing so can knock off flakes and scabs before they are ready.
- DO NOT let clothing or anything else irritate your new tattoo. Clean, cotton clothing is better than synthetics. Loose clothing is better than tight clothing.
- DO make sure your bedding and clothes are clean while the tattoo is healing.
- DO NOT RUB OR PICK at the healing tattoo, as tempting as it may be. DO NOT TRY AND SCRUB THE PEELING SKIN OFF IN THE SHOWER. Loss of color and/or infection can occur. The thin, tiny scab must stay on as long as possible during healing. Your body will complete this process all by itself. Do not help the peeling process! Use lotion, a cold pack, or slap the tattoo for itching.
- DO use 50+ SPF sunblock AFTER the tattoo is healed for the rest of your life. Clear Zinc is a good option. Extreme sun and exposure over the years can and will fade your tattoo.
- DO NOT overthink the healing process or obsess over the tattoo. Just follow the instructions and leave it alone.
*Please note: Losing approximately 1/3 of the color in the first few days is normal. A percentage of the ink is in the outer layer of the skin and will slough off in about a week following treatment. Some clients do not lose 1/3 of the color, and some lose more. Remember that everyone is different.
