Preparing for your Tattoo
Drink plenty of water
When possible, drink plenty of water each day for at least 4 weeks before your scheduled appointment.
Moisturize
Start moisturizing your skin daily a few weeks before your session.
Vitamin C
Start taking extra Vitamin C at least 4 weeks prior to your appointment to help encourage fast healing!
*Consult with your primary care physician for a recommended daily dose.
Sun Exposure
Avoid excess sun exposure, including tanning beds, 2 weeks prior to your appointment.
OTC Medications
Avoid the use of over the counter medications, like ibuprofen and aspirin, that can thin the blood for at least 48 hours before your appointment.
Rest
Get plenty of rest before your session.
Nourishment
Make sure to eat a good meal before your session.
Clothing
Make sure to wear proper clothing and shoes based on your tattoo placement that will limit obstruction to the area being tattooed. If placement is under clothing coverage, make sure to wear loose fit clothing. For foot tattoos, make sure to wear sandals or loose fitting shoes.
Entertainment
Feel free to bring something to keep you entertained during your appointment. For example, bring a book to read, a magazine, a tablet, or headphones for your mobile device. Don't forget to bring your charger!
Tattoo Aftercare
Hydration
Stay hydrated! Keep drinking plenty of water each day to help with healing.
Keep it Covered
Before leaving your appointment, your artist will cover your tattoo. Keep this cover on for at least 1 - 2 hours, up to 24 hours, unless directed otherwise by your artist.
When removing your cover, make sure you are in a clean environment. Gently wash your tattoo with anti-bacterial soap, allow to air dry, and then apply a thin layer of Aquaphor.
Keep it Clean!
Do not wash your tattoo for the first time until the time specified by your artist. After your first wash, apply a thin layer of Aquaphor over your tattoo for the first night.
Wash with anti-bacterial, fragrance-free, soap at least twice a day. Do NOT scrub your fresh tattoo. Allow to air dry after washing and before applying lotion.
As the section states, KEEP IT CLEAN! If you engage in activities that make you sweat, expose you to dirt, or you feel that your tattoo is not clean- wash it!
Moisturize
We can't stress this enough! Keep your fresh ink moisturized- do NOT let it dry out! Apply a good, unscented, lotion at least 2-3 times a day. We recommend Lubriderm Advanced Therapy lotion or Medline Remedy Phytoplex Nourishing skin cream. - but just like the Aquaphor, apply a thin layer! You still want your skin to be able to "breathe" so you don't want to "suffocate" or over-moisturize your fresh ink.
Scabs & Dry Skin
Scabs and dead/peeling skin is normal while your tattoo is healing. Do NOT pick at or peel off this skin- let your body do its thing!
Itchiness
As your tattoo & skin heal, your tattoo may start to itch. When this happens do not scratch at your skin- simply apply some lotion to help relieve the itchiness that is being caused by dry skin.
Clothing
Avoid wearing tight fitting clothing, or clothing that may cause friction against your fresh ink.
Don't touch it!
We know it's tempting but avoid touching your new tattoo while it is healing.
Avoid Submerging in Water
Avoid submerging in water (soaking in baths or swimming) for at least 2 weeks.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Avoid excess sun exposure, including tanning beds, for at least 1 month.
Use a good sun protectant when exposed to sunlight.
Tattoo Healing Time
The size and details of your new tattoo will influence how long your healing time can take.
- Large tattoos will always take longer to heal due to the larger amount of stress caused to your skin.
- Smaller tattoos may not take quite as long, but the healing process is still just as important!
- Solid areas of ink will also take longer time to heal.
It can take up to 6 - 12 weeks for your new tattoo to completely heal. However, with the right products and proper aftercare, your tattoo will be bright, vibrant, and stunning a lot sooner and stay in great condition much longer.
Unfortunately, if your tattoo is not properly cared for it makes it easier to ruin, fade, require frequent touch-ups, require the tattoo to need a complete rework, or much worse- it could become infected. This is why proper aftercare is 100% necessary and SO important.
Things to Avoid
Do not use ibuprofen or aspirin after your tattoo session unless otherwise directed by a medical professional. These medications thin your blood. An alternative pain reliever, ex. Tylenol, is recommended.
Avoid strenuous activity or exercise for the first 3 - 5 days after getting a new tattoo. For example, working out may irritate the skin where you received your tattoo by stretching the skin, rubbing the skin, or the sweat, stress, and exposure to bacteria could cause an infection. Please verify with your artist if this applies to you or you have questions/concerns related to your field of employment and keeping your fresh ink protected.
Signs & Symptoms of Infection
Even when proper aftercare instructions are followed, infections can still happen. The process of getting a tattoo involves breaking the skin’s surface so there is always a potential risk for infection to occur afterwards. We will be happy to answer any concerns regarding the healing process of your tattoo, but we are not medical healthcare professionals. If you feel that your tattoo is infected, please seek medical attention immediately!
Signs and Symptoms
- Fever
- Chills and sweats
- Rash, itchy bumps, or hot raised skin on and around the tattoo
- Redness and swelling (this is expected for the first 2 -3 days but an increase in swelling or pain greater than 3 -5 days is cause for concern)
- Increased pain (pain is normal after your tattoo, but increased pain without relief could be an early sign of infection)
- Pus or foul-smelling discharge coming from the wound
According to the Ohio State University "Ohio State Health & Discovery" health blog:
" You can develop a severe infection from an infected tattoo. Seek medical care immediately if you develop severe pain, intense swelling, severe redness or warmth at the tattoo site, systemic symptoms like fevers and chills, nausea and vomiting or foul-smelling drainage from the tattoo".
Dermatologist, Associate Professor
Ohio State Wexner Medical Center
To read more from this article, please visit https://health.osu.edu/health/virus-and-infection/how-to-prevent-a-tattoo-infection
Disclaimer
Swan & Crow Tattoo Parlor will always put our client's safety first during your visit to our location. Although our artists go through continuous safety training and are very knowledgeable regarding the healing process of tattoos, we are not medical healthcare professionals. Our artists and owners are always available to answer any concerns regarding your healing tattoo, but we will recommend seeing your doctor to discuss concerns regarding the healing process that are outside our realm of expertise.