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• A thin layer of tattoo ointment will be placed over the tattoo and then covered with plastic wrap. This covering prevents bacteria from getting into your skin. It also protects the tattoo from rubbing onto your clothes and getting irritated.

• Keep the plastic wrap on for about 2 hours. It’ll help absorb any fluid or excess ink that leaks from the tattoo.​​

• Make sure your hands are clean first gently wash the tattoo at least 2-3 times a day with warm water antibacterial soap such as Dial. Let air dry for 10 minutes or pat dry with clean paper towel.​

• Apply a small amount of fragrance-free and alcohol-free moisturizer such as Aquaphor, Aveeno or Lubiderm lotion to the tattoo for the next few weeks. You can keep the covering off at this point to let your skin breathe.

• Tattoos normally take about 3 weeks to heal within the first stage of the healing process however every one has different skin types and textures will heal a different rate.

• Day 2-3 by now, your tattoo will have a duller, cloudier appearance. This happens as your skin heals. Scabs will start to form. When you wash, you might notice some ink running into the sink. This is just excess ink that’s come up through your skin.

• Day 4-6 The redness should start to fade. You’ll probably notice some light scabbing over the tattoo. The scabs shouldn’t be as thick as the scabs you get when you cut yourself, but they’ll be raised. Don’t pick at the scabs — this can cause scarring.

• Day 6-14 The scabs have hardened and will begin to flake off.

• Don’t pick at them or try to pull them off. Let them come off naturally. Otherwise, you could pull out the ink and leave scars. 

• At this point, your skin may feel very itchy. Gently rub on a fragrance-free and alcohol-free moisturizer several times a day to relieve the itch.

• If your tattoo is still red and swollen at this point, you might have an infection. Go back to your tattoo artist or see a doctor.

• In this last stage of healing, most of the big flakes will be gone and the scabs should be going away. You might still see some dead skin, but it should eventually clear up too.

• The tattooed area might still look dry and dull. Keep moisturizing until the skin looks hydrated again.

• By the second or third week, the outer layers of skin should’ve healed. It may take 3 to 4 months for the lower layers to completely heal.

• By the end of your third month, the tattoo should look as bright and vivid as the artist intended.

• How quickly you heal depends on the size of your tattoo and how intricate it is. Bigger tattoos will stay red and swollen longer because they cause more trauma to your skin.*Artist cannot guarantee outcome.

• If you have Diabetes your tattoo may take longer to heal. 

• Having diabetes doesn't mean you can't have a tattoo, but before deciding to have one done you must be well and ensure that your diabetes is well controlled. High blood sugar levels, for example, can complicate the healing process and increase the risk of infection.

• While your tattoo heals, you should:​ wear sun-protective clothing whenever you go outside

• call your tattoo artist or doctor if you experience any symptoms of infection or other problems​

• You shouldn’t:​ cover your tattoo with sunblock until it’s fully healed, scratch or pick at the tattoo, wear tight clothing over the tattoo or go swimming or immerse your body in water (showers are fine)

 

If you have any questions regarding your tattoo healing process please contact Tisha 708-401-7599 and I will be sure to help you with any concerns you may have . Thank you for choosing InkySPA!