Aftercare

Taking care of your new tattoo is simple. It is important that you keep it clean and prevent it from drying out. It is also advised that you do not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight, or any standing water including baths, pools and hot tubs for at least two weeks. Please also keep in mind that everyones skin is different. This is a general guide for what I’ve found to be best for most people:

Before you leave the tattoo studio you will have your fresh tattoo cleaned and bandaged. Please leave this wrap on until you get home. Do not keep this on for more than 2 or 3 hours.
Once you get home, carefully remove the wrap and wash your hands with Dial Antibacterial soap and warm water.
After you wash your hands, gently scrub your tattoo. Do not use anything abrasive such as loofas or wash cloths.
After rinsing, pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel, and let it air dry for a few minutes.
Making sure your hands are still clean, apply a small amount of ointment. I recommend using Aquaphor, Redemption, or Hustle Butter. Spread the ointment for about a minute so that it works into the skin. Gently remove any excess ointment with a clean paper towel.
Now you can apply a new plastic wrap and tape the seams. I recommend doing this 3 times a day for the first two days. On day three you can resume all of the same steps but it will no longer need to be wrapped.
Your tattoo will begin to peel around day 4 to day 7 in most cases. This part can get pretty alarming if you've never been tattooed before, but it is normal. Do not pick at, or remove any of the loose skin. It will come off when it’s ready. By around day 10 your tattoo should be just about done peeling. It will have a shine to it, and still be relatively sensitive.
For longevity, it is best that you keep your new tattoo out of direct sun exposure to prevent it from fading. If you’re planning on being out in the sun cover it, or use sun block.