Items you’ll need to purchase to care for your new tattoo:
“Hustle Butter”, Tallow, or some kind of non-petroleum based glide.
Unscented lotion such as Aveeno, Eucerin, Lubriderm, etc.
Hustle Butter soap, Dr. Bronners, or some type of fragrance free soap.
Cleaning your new tattoo:
Your new tattoo is an open wound, and must be treated as such to avoid infection.
Do not soak or submerge your tattoo in water for extended periods of time - that includes baths, swimming, etc.
You’ll wash your tattoo off every day for 2 weeks, no more than 2-3 times daily with clean hands only. Wash your tattoo off once in the morning, once mid-day if needed, and once before bed.
Applying ointments/lotions:
After you’ve cleaned your tattoo, gently pat dry the area with a clean paper towel, let it air dry for a few minutes, and apply a very thin layer of ointment. You should apply ointment after every time you’ve cleaned your tattoo — using ointment for the first 3-7 days UNTIL your tattoo begins to peel and/or flake.
When applying ointment, be sure to rub it in thoroughly. There should not be any excess or build up of ointment on top of your tattoo. (Most people over apply ointment, which can have negative effects on the process of healing as well as the actual look of the tattoo itself.)
Once your tattoo has begun to peel and/or flake, you can stop using ointment and switch to fragrance free lotion instead. You will finish out your two weeks of care using lotion. While your tattoo is peeling, scabbing, or flaking — do not pick, itch, scratch, or pull off the scabs prematurely. Let them come off naturally and leave the tattoo alone as much as possible.
If you follow these basic instructions keeping your tattoo cleaned, moisturized, and left alone — it should heal great.
During the healing process if you need help, have any questions, or something looks worrisome to you, PLEASE CONTACT ME. I am here to assist you and walk you through any issues or hiccups there may be.