TATTOO HEALING / AFTERCARE
This is the "standard" method and most common. We suggest this method for those with smaller tattoos, and those that have had good results with it in the past. Your new tattoo has been bandaged, and it should be removed after at least four hours. It is very important that your new tattoo be protected from the sun and dirty environments, as it is a rather large open wound at this time. You should wait to remove the bandage until you can properly clean it with mild soap and warm water. Rinse it well and pat it dry gently with a paper towel, then allow tattoo to air-dry 20-40min before applying ointment (use hair drier if in a rush). You want to make sure that moisture doesn't get trapped under the ointment as this can wreak the tattoo very easily.
You should apply ointment, H2Ocean, AfterInk and Bepanthem 3-5 times a day, keeping the tattoo just slightly moist, NOT smothered. Use just enough ointment to make the tattoo slightly shiny, and blot off any excess with paper towel, if the tattoo is still shiny there is too much on, keep bloting with paper towel. For the first day or two, your tattoo will weap fluid and require more cleaning as it is important to clean this fluid off your tattoo. We recommend washing your tattoo about a couple times during the day, using only mild soap, Rinse it well and pat it dry gently with a paper towel. Frequency of cleaning depends on your lifestyle, use your best judgement, but don't overdo it. Make sure the tattoo doesn't stay submerged in water and try to have very short showers and taking care to keep tattoo dry as possible.
You should only apply ointment for as many days as it takes for your tattoo to peel, this process will take anywhere from three days to one week, depending on your body and the area of skin. It will begin to flake like sunburn, just let this happen on its own don't pick at it. When the tattoo has fully entered the peeling phase, you need not, and should not, apply any more ointment. The area will become dry and itchy switch to using Vasaline intenseive care dry skin cream it should help with this.
Here's what you should look out for with this method. Should any "bubbling" of your tattoo occur, you should consider method 2. This bubbling is caused from moisture (usually too much ointment!) getting trapped in your tattoo, and could lead to scabbing. If scabs develop, they can remove the color beneath them. It is very important that they are allowed to dry out completely, and not at anytime get water-logged. The scab will eventually fall off on its own, and your tattoo should be fine if you keep the scabs dry.
Avoid heavy physical activity and sports etc till tattoo has pealed. Also keep tattoo out of sun and tanning beds and no swimming etc for a month.
