After Care Instructions:

DON’Ts:

• No swimming or soaking in water for two weeks or until your skin is closed. This is vital to prevent infection. This includes hot tubs, baths, pools, and any other body of water. Showers are fine. If you aren’t sure if your skin is closed yet, use hand sanitizer or isopropyl alcohol and wipe it across your tattoo. If it burns, your skin is not closed.

• Avoid sun exposure. Fresh tattoos will be quite painful in the sun. Once your tattoo is healed, make sure to use sunscreen or UV protectant clothing when you're out in the sun. It will keep your tattoo from fading or losing color (and prevent skin cancer).

• Do not scratch or pick at your healing tattoo. This is vital to prevent infection. If any scabs form, let them fall off naturally. If your tattoo is super itchy (which is normal for healing skin) you can gently slap it with a clean hand.

• Keep friction to a minimum and avoid strenuous exercise while your tattoo is healing.

REMEMBER that your tattoo is a wound and you need to take care of it. Your healing tattoo should not be excruciatingly painful but it will be tender. It is normal for your fresh tattoo to feel hot for the first couple days.

Watch for inflammation or rashes, as they are not normal and may indicate an infection. An infection is dangerous and if you develop one, you must seek medical attention!

Derm Shield Adhesive Bandage Instructions:

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Unscented Antimicrobial Soap, 2nd Piece of Derm Shield (provided by the artist), Clean Paper Towels, Clean Hands

1. Remove the first piece of Derm Shield roughly 24-72 hours after your appointment. Peel in the direction of hair growth - generally, from top to bottom. I recommend removing it in the shower - the water and steam helps release the adhesive. PEEL SLOWLY! Do not attempt to rip it off quickly. Carefully dispose of the bandage (it's a biohazard).

2. With thoroughly washed hands, wash the tattoo and surrounding skin with unscented, antimicrobial soap (I recommend Dial unscented liquid soap). Use only the pads of your fingers in gentle circular motions. Do not use a rag or loofa. Rinse well and pat dry with a clean paper towel.

3. Your tattoo and surrounding skin should be clean and totally dry. Do not apply any lotion or ointment before you apply the second piece of Derm Shield.

4. Remove the opaque white liner first. Center the Derm Shield over the tattoo and press gently onto the skin. Smooth down all over and then remove the transparent plastic liner with crosses. Do not puncture any air bubbles, if those are present. Wear for up to 6 days before removing the second piece.

Traditional Healing (NOT using Adhesive Bandage):

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Unscented Antimicrobial Soap, Tube of Aquaphor or A&D Ointment, Clean Paper Towels, Clean Hands

1. Wear the bandage the artist sent you home in overnight.

2. Remove the bandage and carefully dispose of it (it's a biohazard). Get in the shower. With thoroughly washed hands, wash the tattoo and surrounding skin with unscented, antimicrobial soap (I recommend Dial unscented liquid soap). Use only the pads of your fingers in gentle circular motions. Do not use a rag or loofa. Rinse well and pat dry with a clean paper towel.

3. Your tattoo, surrounding skin, and hands should be clean and totally dry. Squeeze a very small amount (start with half of a pea sized amount) of Aquaphor or A&D ointment onto your CLEAN fingers. Gently apply the ointment using gentle circular motions to the surface of your tattoo. DO NOT cake the ointment on your tattoo, it needs to be able to breathe. It's OK to let it dry out between washings.

4. Wash and moisturize your tattoo 3-4x daily (or as needed if you get sweaty or dirty) for the first week. Make sure you wear clean, loose fitting clothes and that your bed sheets are clean.

5. During week 2, wash and moisturize your tattoo 2x daily (or as needed if you get sweaty or dirty)