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115 E Broad Street, Quakertown, Pa #215-529-8420
There is no “ONE WAY” to care for a tattoo. It varies based on each individual body type and the way in which the body heals itself. Lifestyle is extremely impactful on healing a tattoo. So we suggest taking your multi-vitamin (if you take one), eating healthy (your fruits and veggies) and getting a good night’s sleep!
It is normal to experience some pain, burning, stinging, redness, swelling, seeping fluid, tightness of skin and itching within the first 7-10 days of getting a tattoo. However depending on health, environment, body part, size and amount of tattoo work done, that time can be shorter, or longer! For example, feet can easily take longer due to movement, rubbing against socks/shoes/sandals, and the natural flow of the body’s blood and lymph systems. Pay attention to your body and what it needs. If you have a question or concern, contact us immediately! Waiting a day or two can make a BIG difference.
It is extremely important to follow the aftercare instructions your artist has given you. ALWAYS consult with your artist prior to changing the instructions or trying something different that you’ve read on the internet or heard from a family/friend/other artist/etc. Your artist is a professional who knows what you are going through, and how to help you if needed.
If you have any questions or concerns about how your tattoo is healing, visit our shop at 115 E. Broad Street, Quakertown, PA 18951 and speak to an artist.
Wash your tattoo once daily with an anti-microbial soap. Additionally, wash your tattoo if it gets dirty or after work/exercise/activities that produce sweating. Washing the tattoo excessively will not help it to heal faster, alternatively it could actually delay healing!
Wash your tattoo LAST when showering. Your tattoo should feel smooth after washing it. If it feels slick/slimy/gooey gently apply pressure and rinse until it feels closer to normal.
Caring for your New Tattoo!
Upon exiting the shower, DO NOT dry your fresh tattoo with your towel. Pat dry with a clean paper towel and allow tattoo to air dry for 3-5min prior to applying ointment.
Apply a light coat of tattoo aftercare ointment 3-5 times daily. It will differ for each individual body. It’s important to not use too much ointment as it will clog pores and potentially cause a breakout.
It’s also important to not use too little, as drying out will cause scabbing, cracking and possible bleeding of the tattoo and may cause permanent damage to the tattoo. A rule of thumb, when your tattoo feels tight and dry like a sunburn, apply a light coat of aftercare ointment. If the tattoo is appearing soft or gooey, use less aftercare ointment less frequently.
As the tattoo begins the healing process it may itch, flake, peel or scab. DO NOT itch, pick, scratch, scrub, rub, or exfoliate the tattoo as that could lead to scarring, bleeding, and further damage to the tattoo.
Closely follow this procedure minimunly for the first 2-3 weeks of healing. You may be able to decrease the amount of times you apply ointment based on how quickly you heal. You know your body, use less or more as it needs. It takes 4-8 weeks for a tattoo to heal. Once the tattoo appears healed, there are still some healing processes going on underneath the tattoo. We suggest using a natural fragrance free lotion on the tattoo to keep the skin moisturized, looking and feeling good.
What NOT To Do:
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DO NOT touch tattoo with dirty hands, towels or clothing.
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DO NOT let the tattoo dry out.
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DO NOT oversaturate with ointment.
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DO NOT soak in bath or hot tub
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DO NOT go swimming (pool or ocean) for 4-6 weeks.
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DO NOT use Neosporin.
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DO NOT wash with scented soaps or body washes.
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DO NOT expose to direct sunlight or tanning.
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DO NOT use sun block on a healing tattoo! (After healing ALWAYS use sunblock on your tattoos!)
Dermal Wrap and Exercise:
We have noticed on a few clients once the dermal wrap was removed within 1-3 days a small itchy rash will develop AROUND the tattoo but not ON the tattoo itself. It tends to happen when the pores of the skin are more open, and are exposed to more of the adhesive OR if there is an allergy to the adhesive.
Therefore, we suggest removing the dermal wrap prior to any activity or exercise that will cause sweating. If a rash does occur, DO NOT SCRATCH it, just continue to care for your tattoo as normal and wash the rash with the anti-microbial soap once daily until gone.
Continue to care for your tattoo by following the tattoo aftercare instructions listed above. If you have any questions or concerns about the healing of your tattoo, please COME INTO the shop. It’s helpful to see your question/concern IN PERSON, we’ll be able to more effectively help you!