• Remove the bandage after one to two hours. If you are using Saniderm or SecondSkin, the bandage may remain up to 48 hours before changing. All wounds need to breathe if they are to heal properly. 

• Wash the tattoo using a mild antibacterial soap (such as Dial or Softsoap) and warm water. Take care to remove all traces of blood and plasma as this will cause a scab to form. Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth during the two week healing period. Pat it dry with a clean, soft cloth or paper towel and leave it alone for about 20 minutes, basically until it starts to feel like the skin is a little tight and dry. This allows for excess moisture from the swelling under the skin as well as moisture introduced by washing the tattoo to evaporate out. It's very important to let your tattoo "breathe" like this any time you get it wet before it gets into the peeling stage. 

Once dry, apply a very thin coat of ointment to the tattoo. We recommend using Aquaphor. Only use enough to make it shine, a little goes a long way. Too much ointment traps germs into your new tattoo which can potentially lead to infection. Work in the ointment just like skin lotion. There should be just enough to keep the tattoo moist and to keep it from scabbing. Do not rebandage your tattoo. 

• Repeat the cycle of washing, drying, and applying ointment to the tattoo about 2-3 times per day for the first 3 days (while the tattoo feels tender). 

• Switch to a regular *Unscented* moisturizing lotion. Apply lotion twice a day for the remainder of two weeks. Do not use lotions that contain color or fragrance at all until the healing is complete. (Usually anywhere from ten days to two weeks; Possibly longer for slower healers.) 

• You must keep your tattoo moisturized! When the tattoo is kept moist it doesn't have a chance to form a scab but does form a thin membrane to protect the tattoo while it heals. This layer peels off very similar to a sunburn. Do not peel your tattoo, you will pull the ink out. It is perfectly normal to see small flakes of colored skin falling off during this stage of healing. 

You must keep your tattoo clean! However, long showers or baths must be avoided for 2 weeks. Prolonged soaking can and will loosen scabs if any have formed, or will soak through the soft tissue turning it into a soggy mess and cause your ink to flow down the drain. This includes swimming in the Ocean or a Pool, Hot Tubs, and Saunas. Short showers are best, under ten minutes if possible. 

Please refrain from scratching or picking at the tattoo. Scrubbing with a washcloth can be very harsh on a tattoo and will cause your colors to fade. Disrupting the tattoo while it's healing can also cause scar tissue. It is normal for the tattoo to become very itchy during the healing time. Do not pick or scratch your tattoo. 

• The sun is BAD for your tattoo! Whether the tattoo is new or old, if you want it to look nice and heal properly, keep it out of the sun. A sunburn on a new tattoo can cause a lot of problems. It will dry out your tattoo and could cause it to form a horrendous scab resulting in fading before it is even healed. It will also take much longer to heal completely and promotes scarring in a new tattoo. Wait until it is fully healed to go back in the sun or a tanning bed and make sure you put on a high quality sunblock. Never put sunblock on a tattoo that is still healing. Wait until it is fully healed before going into the sun. 

• Following all of these simple steps will ensure that you end up with the best result with minimal complications and your tattoo will stay looking bright and beautiful for many years to come. If you have any questions about your tattoo during the healing process, please call the shop. 

(Signs and symptoms of infection include, but not limited to, severe redness, swelling, tenderness of the procedure site, red streaks going from the procedure site towards the heart, elevated body temperature, or purulent drainage from the procedure site. Discharge from the site may be green/yellow in color and foul in odor.) 

CONTACT TATTOO SHOP AND SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF ANY SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF INFECTION DEVELOPS.