322 E Bay Street, Milwaukee WI           414-483-5000

PROCESS FOR WASHING A FRESH TATTOO:

-With clean hands carefully remove plastic covering

-Make a lather in your hand with gentle, unscented soap and warm water.  Only use CLEAN hands to wash your tattoo. No washcloths, bath towels, bath sponges or loofahs on fresh tattoo.

- Gently clean tattoo using a circular motion until all ointment, blood and lymphatic fluid are removed. Fresh tattoos sometimes “weep” during the first couple of days, meaning that plasma and ink form a thin moist coating on the skin.  Do not wipe the tattoo or be rough with it. Do not panic when you see the colors of the tattoo on your hands as you clean it. This is simply excess ink being sloughed from the surface of the skin.

-Rinse the tattoo and wash once again, gently until the skin is clean

-Dab the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel

Once the tattoo is dry apply an ointment of your choice.  Specifically made tattoo products or  Aquaphor Healing Ointment made by Eucerin are good options.  Apply a thin layer and rub it in.  After 2-3 days you can switch to a fragrance free lotion such as Lubriderm or any other fragrance free brand.

Wear loose, preferably cotton clothing over the fresh tattoo.  Keep that tattoo moist so it does not dry to clothing. Tattoos typically do not need to be re-bandaged except in certain instances based on the location on the body.  Tattoos that are in areas with a bra strap, tight waistband, ect can potentially create healing problems.

After a few days, the tattoo will begin to form flaky scabs that will fall off on their own.

DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR TATTOO.

Keep moisturized and the scabs will slow. Once again, they will be the color of the tattoo. It normally takes 2-4 weeks for a tattoo to completely heal.

Avoid any direct sunlight on the tattoo for at least one week. It's important to note that direct sunlight is never advised. Tattoos age if it is direct sunlight for the entire life of the tattoo. The more sun, the more it fades and the pigment will spread or fade with age. The key to a crisp and bright tattoo is hydration and daily moisturizer. However, after 2-3 weeks your tattoo can be exposed to sunlight, but be sure to apply a good sunscreen to help minimize sun damage that leads to tattoo fading.

Uncovered tattoos may stick to or stain bed sheets. Maintain clean bedding throughout the healing process (about 2 weeks).

Avoid submerging the area of your tattooed skin in water for at least 2-4 weeks.

Avoid touching the area of your skin, even if it is itchy, applying tattoo aftercare ointment can help alleviate itchiness.

If you have ANY questions about your healing please contact us; our artists are more than happy to help with any concerns you may have.