Tattoo After Care

- The aftercare of your tattoo will greatly determine the way your tattoo will look once it is fully healed.
- Remove bandage after 1 hour then wash gently with Dial Antibacterial Soap.
- Gently pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub back and forth.
- Allow the tattoo to dry for 24 hours before applying any aftercare products. Drying helps to start the healing process, bacteria multiplies in wet and warm environments. REMEMBER your tattoo is an open wound and needs to be protected from infection.
- After 24 hours apply a VERY THIN layer of Lubriderm white unscented lotion or Aquaphor. Pat off excess lotion if you applied too much, you should have no build up of lotion on your tattoo.
- You will need to wash your tattoo 1-2  times daily allowing it to dry for 30 minutes before applying lotion in a VERY THIN layer, pat off excess lotion.
- Repeat these steps for the first 7 days after getting your tattoo. After that stop applying lotion and allow the tattoo to heal on its own.
- If the tattoo breaks out with bumps that look like pimples that is caused from applying too much lotion. STOP applying lotion and let the tattoo dry out.
- DO NOT PICK SCABS! This will cause your tattoo to bleed and pull the ink out from your skin. Also greatly increasing the risk of infection.
- In areas that move alot (inner elbow, armpit, wrist, knees etc..) It may scab  more and take longer to heal that is normal. Try to minimize cracking caused by excessive movement and take special care of those areas.
- Most of the healing will be done in the first 2 weeks after getting the tattoo. It will take 2-3 months for the tattoo to fully settle into your skin.  
- Do not swim or go into hot tubs for at least 2 weeks. (to prevent infection).
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for extended periods.
- DO NOT apply sunscreen to a tattoo that is not fully healed.
- Wear loose fitted clothing over your tattoo while it heals to avoid any rubbing that may pull off scabs.
- If you have any problems or questions stop by Coral City Tattoo or call (808) 352-2456.