IMMEDIATE CARE It is important to rely on the expert guidance, and follow ALL instructions given by your TATTOO ARTIST ONLY for the life of your tattoo and to avoid infection. 1. Leave the bandage on for 5-6 hours minimum. ( Can be left on up to 24 hours if desired.) 2. When removing bandage,saturate gauze with plenty of cool to warm water to assure easy removal. There may be a small amount of blood / ink on the bandage, this is normal. You don't want to pull the bandage off while dry. You will damage the color by doing this. No further bandaging is required once initial bandage is removed. 3. Lather up tattoo with mild soap(Dial etc) and water using ONLY your hand.(No washcloths, loofahs etc.) 4. Rinse tattoo with warm or cool water. Pat dry with a towel (Do not rub-this will cause irritation)Let your skin breathe and air dry for about 15 minutes. Then apply a light, thin coat of ointment recommended by tattoo artist, directly to tattoo. Be sure to keep your tattoo moist, just enough ointment to look shiny so the tattoo is allowed to breathe. This is ESSENTIAL to the proper healing of your new tattoo. Over application of ointment can smother the tattoo and cause irritation, and in some cases a red, bumpy, itchy rash can occur. This is ointment related, NOT infection. If this happens during the three day period you are using ointment, switch over to a mild skin moisturizer (Lubriderm etc)for the remainder of the healing process. Continue to wash the tattoo 5 times a day. The rash will clear up in a few days. Over application can also cause the tattoo to "weep" out ink. Tattoo will appear to be dripping color. This is excess ointment and skin fluids (Sometimes this happens more often in warmer months or anytime your body temperature rises.) If this occurs,use a bit less ointment and give an extra washing to tattoo, contact your tattoo artist with any questions.We want our artwork to look its best, so we encourage you to call with concerns. 5. Wash tattoo 5 times a day for 2 weeks with regular soap and water.(It takes roughly 2 weeks to fully heal a tattoo, in winter months it can take longer, as well as tattoos done on lower extremities of the body.(due to circulation) Apply ointment after each washing. The ointment should be applied for the first 3 to 4 days. After the 3 to 4 days, discontinue use of the ointment and use a body lotion in place of it. Keep your tattoo clean! It is an open wound, and the only way you can get an infection is if you do not clean it. The final way a tattoo heals up depends on you. The artist has done their part. 6. Vitamin E (Oil or Capsules) or light skin moisturizer ( ex. Lubriderm) can be used in place of ointment after a 4 day period. Continue to wash tattoo and keep clean. A Few things NOT to use on a tattoo are: Neosporin, Aloe, Alcohol, Peroxide. These will affect the color. 7. During initial healing if wearing tight clothing that may rub or irritate tattoo, cover tattoo with "Saran Wrap" after applying an extremely light coat of ointment/lotion. Only do this as necessary! Keeping tattoo covered with "Saran Wrap" for too long can also irritate it. Your new tattoo needs to breathe. NEVER re-gauze your tattoo. You may want to use saran wrap for the first few nights when going to bed so you do not dry out the tattoo on a sheet or blanket. 8. Within the first week, the tattoo will begin to peel like a sunburn, the same color as your tattoo design. This is the normal healing process, so do not be worried that your tattoo is coming off. DO NOT PICK OR PEEL SKIN AWAY (If you do, you can lose color in spots, and need a touchup) Let it come off naturally during the washing and ointment applications. After the initial peeling the colors will look lighter. This is due to a waxy dead layer of skin over the tattoo. This will clear up within another week. Keep washing and moisturizing. When the tattoo is done fully peeling it is healed!!! A tattoo should look as it did when you left the tattoo shop if cared for correctly. The artist has done their part, now you must do yours. The better condition the skin is in, the better the tattoo will look. AFTERCARE 1.For the first 2 weeks of healing you are NOT PERMITTED to do any of the following:swimming in pools, salt water, freshwater, NO HOT TUBS OR BATHTUBS! (showers are OK- you need to keep it clean) This can cause the ink to spread out under the skin or bleach the color from the area. And NO SUNBATHING OR TANNING!! Both of these actions can result in a poorly healed tattoo and faded washed out color. 2. If at any time after initial healing is done, the tattoo looks dull or waxy, you may apply a skin moisturizer or Vitamin E which will eat away at any dead skin on top of the tattoo, and "brighten" up the piece. 3. After tattoo is fully healed, apply sunblock (at least SPF 30 or higher, the higher the better)when outdoors for extended periods or sunbathing. The sun is the #1 factor in faded color in a tattoo. it's just like hanging a picture in a window, constant sun exposure will fade a tattoo. You only need one bad sunburn or tan to ruin a tattoo. 4. Wait at least 2 weeks before getting another tattoo. Your body's immune system will work more slowly at the healing process if you have more than one tattoo done at a time. Tattoos are open wounds and need time to heal properly without compounding the healing process with another tattoo. It'll be there forever, it's worth waiting for. If any questions, please dont hesitate to call us here at Sleepy Hollow Tattoo- (203)876-5085