Tattoo Aftercare
The first few days and weeks (for a new tattoo) are probably the most important for your new tattoo. Make sure you care for it properly. Below is the healing procedure and do's and don'ts we recommend. Because each individual is different, this may not always be the best recommendation for each person. We recommend you follow the advice of your tattoo artist or seek the advice of a doctor first.
TRADITIONAL:
Leave the bandage/plastic wrap that you received after the tattoo on for 2 to 10 hours. Tattoos will ooze, this is a normal part of the healing process. The bandage is there to keep airborne bacteria and any other contaminants in the environment from invading your wound.
Make sure your hands have been washed thoroughly before you remove the bandage.
After removing the bandage, cleanse the tattooed area with Mad Rabbit Cleanser (or an antibacterial soap such as the Gold Dial Liquid hand soap) and lukewarm water. Do not scrub the tattoo with a brush or towel (this should not be done until the tattoo has healed). The idea behind the washing is to eliminate any dead cells that have been allowed to accumulate on the surface.
Dry the tattooed area by gently patting the area with a clean, sterile paper towel.
Let the tattoo dry completely (approximately 10 minutes).
Lightly rub on UNSCENTED lotion such as Mad Rabbit, or Jergens.
You do not need to re-bandage.
Repeat steps above for three to four days, approximately six times a day. The idea behind this part of the process is to not let the tattoo dry out. After a few days you may notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. Excessive scabbing can indicate a poorly done tattoo, but some scabbing may be normal. It is at this point in the healing process that our tattoo will begin to itch. RESIST THE URGE TO SATISFY YOUR DESIRE TO SCRATCH, RUB, OR PICK at the tattoo. Remember -- the first few days and weeks (for a new tattoo) are probably the most important for your new tattoo. Make sure you care for it properly. Consult a physician if you experience symptoms such as excessive swelling, redness, yellow or green discharge, fever.
Some final DO's and DON'Ts:
DO:
Stay out of the sun until your tattoo has healed completely.
Apply sun block to tattoo after it has healed whenever it is exposed to the sun to protect it from damaging ultraviolet rays.
DO NOT:
Go swimming or soak in a hot tub or bath
Use hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol on your tattoo
Itch, pick, or scratch the tattoo
Participate in activities that will make you sweat
Use Aquaphor, A&D, or any OINTMENTS!
HYPAFIX INSTRUCTIONS:
Leave the Hypafix bandage on as long as possible. Preferably 5-7 days.
If the bandage peels sooner than that, it's okay to remove the Hypafix after 3-4 days.
When taking off the Hypafix, take it off in the shower under warm (NOT HOT) water.
It will feel like you are peeling off your tattoo but you aren't.
While removing the Hypafix, lather up the exposed part of your tattoo with an antibacterial soap (Mad Rabbit or Gold Dial Liquid Antibacterial) to loosen the bandage.
Once the Hypafix is off, clean your tattoo well with your antibacterial soap.
Pat dry with a paper towel or let air dry. DO NOT USE A TOWEL.
Apply UNSCENTED water-based lotion to the tattoo 4-5 times a day until 3 weeks has elapsed.
Keep this tattoo out of the natural sun or tanning bed for at least 5 weeks. If that is unavoidable, cover the tattoo or apply SPF!! (Mad Rabbit is the BEST one).
If you feel that your skin is itchy or red, or you may have a reaction to it, while the Hypafix is on, consult a medical professional, or remove the bandage and let it heal from the traditional instructions at the top of this page.
I have received and understood the aftercare instructions given to me by Devil's Veil Tattoo. I agree to follow the above instructions in their entirety, and not hold Devil's Veil liable for any ink migration, aftercare issues, or allergic reactions to any products purchased on my own account, or at Devil's Veil Tattoo Studio.
