aftercare
tattoo aftercare instructions
Always wash your hands before
touching your tattoo!
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Remove bandage within 1 - 2 hours after getting your tattoo. Do not re-bandage. Your tattoo needs to breathe, just like an open wound.
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Wash your tattoo with an anti-bacterial liquid soap. Be gentle, do not use a washcloth or anything that will exfoliate your tattoo. Only use your hands.
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Gently pat your tattoo dry with a paper towel. Do not rub, or use a fabric with a rough surface.
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Rub a small amount of lotion/ointment on your tattoo. You may use an unscented lotion (with no alcohol in the lotion) like Cetaphil or a tattoo ointment – whatever you know you’re not allergic to. Always use clean hands and do not place your fingers back into the ointment after touching your tattoo. Make sure to rub the ointment in so that it is not shiny, or greasy– you want the thinnest amount possible. Pat off any excess ointment with a clean paper towel. Do not use Vaseline, petroleum, Neosporin, or Bag Balm. Wash, dry, and apply lotion/ointment 1-3 times daily, as needed.
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On the first night, you may want to wrap your tattoo in saran wrap to prevent sticking to your bedding. Do not use any cloth bandages or pads, as the fibers of this material can adhere to your open tattoo and hinder the healing process.
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Wear clean, soft clothing over your tattoo for the first 2 weeks– nothing abrasive or irritating. For a foot tattoo: go barefoot as much as possible. If you must wear shoes, first wrap your clean tattoo in saran wrap, then cover with a clean cotton sock before putting on your shoe. Avoid sandals or flip-flops for this period to prevent chafing and damage to the tattoo.
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On the 3rd or 4th day your tattoo will begin to peel. This is normal! Do not pick at the skin. Begin using a mild, white, unscented lotion, free of dyes or Perfumes.
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Use lotion for minimum 2 weeks, 1-2 times daily.
things to avoid:
Do not pick, scratch, peel, slap, rub or irritate your tattoo.
You can shower, but you may not soak your tattoo for 2 weeks. No swimming, soaking, or hot tub.
You may not expose your tattoo to the sun for at least 3 weeks, after that you must use sunblock.
Do not wear abrasive materials, jewelry, or shoes that rub against your tattoo.
Do not let anyone touch your tattoo unless they wash their hands.
Beware of gym equipment; wash it well before using it.
It is required that the artist reports those conditions to the Department within 24 hours of discovery
you can also:
Ice your tattoo to reduce swelling.
Elevate your tattoo, to reduce swelling.
Take short showers.
While your tattoo is healing, it should feel like sunburned skin. You are advised to contact a physician at the first signs of an adverse reaction, infection, or allergic reaction.
Outside of normal healing, any concerns that your tattoo has resulted in complications, infection or disease should be reported to your artist or to:
Denver Department of Environmental Health
Public Health Inspections-Body Art
200 W. 14th Ave Ste. 200
Denver, CO 80204
phicomments@denvergov.org
720-865-5401
