BASIC TATTOO AFTERCARE

Remove the bandage after one to three hours.  Wash your tattoo with water and a mild antibacterial soap.  DO NOT re-bandage your healing tattoo. Once your tattoo is washed, you will then apply a very thin layer of either Bacitracin OR Aquaphor Healing Ointment.  Apply the Bacitracin OR Aquaphor Healing Ointment for at least three days, three times a day.  DO NOT let your tattoo dry out.  Also, DO NOT shave over your healing tattoo.  After three days, switch to an unscented skin lotion.  Keep your tattoo moist.  Your tattoo will begin to flake and peel after about three days.  When it stops flaking and/or peeling, you will notice a shiny appearance to your tattoo.  That shiny appearance will go away and your tattoo will be completely healed.

If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to call us!  Our number is 732 247 8666.

Please stop by to show us your healed tattoo!  

Thank you and enjoy your new tattoo.

Additional Information on Tattoo Aftercare

Now, you have your fresh new tattoo, and you want to take good care of it! From this point on, your artist is not responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don't take proper care of it. It is very important that you follow these guidelines. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster if the proper aftercare is not taken.

Leave That Bandage Alone! Your artist took the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason - to keep air-born bacteria from invading your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of one hour. Excitement of having a new tattoo will make you want to remove the bandage so you can show your friends, but your friends will just have to wait. 

Wash and Treat After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and antibacterial soap to gently wash away any ointment and to completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of ointment. Bacitracin would be the first choice in ointments, but if you don't have any, Aquaphor Healing Ointment is also acceptable. **Do not use Neosporin. This is a wonderful product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos. Some can have an allergic reaction to the Neosporin, which causes little red bumps. When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you end up with a polka-dotted tattoo.** Continue this procedure at least twice a day for two or three days. After that, continue to keep it clean, but you can use lotion when needed instead of ointment, to keep the skin soft. 

Scabbing and Peeling After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. You will also start to itch, just like sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it! 

Protection from the sun After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always want to protect it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sun block. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years, and it will continue to be a source of great pride.