Bodyco

AFTERCARE FOR TATTOOS

(download .pdf file for print) DOWNLOAD

WHAT IS A TATTOO?
A tattoo is a marking or design made using needles to insert ink/pigment under layers of skin. Your body’s job is to protect itself by forming a scab. It is your job to keep your tattoo clean.

A NORMAL TATTOO

May be tender, sore and/or swollen for a few days; some bruising may occur.

May be itchy during healing process.

May scab or flake for the first 7 – 12 days.

May sting while applying aftercare ointment.

CARING FOR YOUR NEW TATTOO

Since your tattoo will heal faster and clearer if there is little to no surface scabbing, we suggest you use OZONOL “NON-STINGING” OINTMENT (comes in a blue package). Products such as Vaseline, Polysporin or Neosporin contain Petroleum and does not allow your tattoo to breathe.

After your procedure is completed, we place ointment on your tattoo and cover it. After approx. an hour; remove bandage, wash your hands thoroughly with an antibacterial soap, we suggest SPECTRO GEL, and dab off excess moisture with a clean piece of paper towel. Leave it alone for the rest of the day and do not shower that night.

After your shower the following day, wait 1 -2 hrs to apply your ointment, being certain your tattoo is dry. Wash hands thoroughly with your antibacterial soap, place a small amount of ointment on your index finger and rub it in as you would hand or body cream/lotion. If your tattoo looks shiny, you have used too much ointment. Take a clean piece of paper towel, and dab your tattoo to remove excess. Repeat twice daily, for 5 – 10 days.

Once tattoo begins to flake, reduce ointment use to once daily. Once flaking has completed, you may use a regular body cream/lotion to keep tattoo moisturized. It is possible for your tattoo to flake a second time.

Every day, wash the area with antibacterial soap. Lather your hands and then use your hand to wash the area of the tattoo. It is much easier to do this in the shower. Do not use scrubbing sponges or facecloths on your tattoo as these can remove any scab that has formed.

DO NOT

Touch your tattoo unless to clean it or apply aftercare ointment.

Scratch or pick at your tattoo. Scabbing or flaking is healing tissue and if removed, can damage your tattoo.

Rub your tattoo with a towel, pat dry instead.

Re-bandage your tattoo during healing process.

Over-moisturize your tattoo.

Use tanning booths or overexpose your tattoo to UV Rays. This can damage the healing tissue of your tattoo causing excess scabbing or color fading.

Immerse your tattoo into bathtubs, hot tubs, lakes or swimming pools. Your tattoo is a healing wound; most large bodies of water are heavily contaminated with bacteria and can cause an infection.

DO

Clean your tattoo as directed.

Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo, whether to clean it or apply aftercare ointment.

Slap your tattoo gently, do not scratch, should it become itchy. This helps numb nerve endings, relieving the itch without disturbing your tattoo.

Keep clothing and all bedding clean regularly. Problems can occur if your tattoo comes in contact with dirty fabrics.

Take a multi-vitamin containing Vitamin C, E, A, B6 and Zinc. Taking daily supplements boosts immune system and can speed healing times.

Use a sunscreen, during UV exposure, to prevent fading after your tattoo has healed.

INITIAL HEALING TIMES

Everyone heals at a different rate. Normal healing time is 7-14 days. If you feel your tattoo is not healing as quickly as you anticipated, please do not hesitate to contact us.

SIGNS OF AN INFECTION

Sensation of heat at the tattoo site.

Excessive redness and/or swelling

Pain, either throbbing or spreading

Discharge appearing as a grayish yellow or green color. Blood may also be in this discharge and it may have a foul odor to it.

TREATMENT OF INFECTION

FIRST THING is to contact your artist, either by phone or in person.

See your doctor, should it be an infection. You will likely be put on an oral antibiotic that is best suited for you.


	TATTOOS We accept walk-ins but to ensure a specific time or day, call or e-mail to make an appointment. Our artists are flexible and are more than happy to arrange an appointment that is convenient for the client. Our artists have many different styles such as Color, Freehand, Portrait, Black & Grey, Old Skool & Clean Skool. We are also “cover-up” specialists. We fix bad tattoos, guaranteed. We use new, sterilized needles EVERY TIME. We use the highest quality supplies which undergo a rigorous cleaning process including chemical steriliants and autoclave sterilization. Spore tests are taken monthly to ensure quality control and sterility. Our rule is to destroy the clients’ needle in front of them so that they were confident that their needles and supplies were brand new. Without actually witnessing this process, how else could we guarantee new supplies? We are the only body art facility to run Safe-T-Tat™, commonly known as Clean Skool, which we hope to integrate as a health standard to tattooing and body art worldwide.		AFTERCARE FOR TATTOOS (download .pdf file for print) DOWNLOAD WHAT IS A TATTOO? A tattoo is a marking or design made using needles to insert ink/pigment under layers of skin. Your body’s job is to protect itself by forming a scab. It is your job to keep your tattoo clean. A NORMAL TATTOO May be tender, sore and/or swollen for a few days; some bruising may occur. May be itchy during healing process. May scab or flake for the first 7 – 12 days. May sting while applying aftercare ointment. CARING FOR YOUR NEW TATTOO Since your tattoo will heal faster and clearer if there is little to no surface scabbing, we suggest you use OZONOL “NON-STINGING” OINTMENT (comes in a blue package). Products such as Vaseline, Polysporin or Neosporin contain Petroleum and does not allow your tattoo to breathe. After your procedure is completed, we place ointment on your tattoo and cover it. After approx. an hour; remove bandage, wash your hands thoroughly with an antibacterial soap, we suggest SPECTRO GEL, and dab off excess moisture with a clean piece of paper towel. Leave it alone for the rest of the day and do not shower that night. After your shower the following day, wait 1 -2 hrs to apply your ointment, being certain your tattoo is dry. Wash hands thoroughly with your antibacterial soap, place a small amount of ointment on your index finger and rub it in as you would hand or body cream/lotion. If your tattoo looks shiny, you have used too much ointment. Take a clean piece of paper towel, and dab your tattoo to remove excess. Repeat twice daily, for 5 – 10 days. Once tattoo begins to flake, reduce ointment use to once daily. Once flaking has completed, you may use a regular body cream/lotion to keep tattoo moisturized. It is possible for your tattoo to flake a second time. Every day, wash the area with antibacterial soap. Lather your hands and then use your hand to wash the area of the tattoo. It is much easier to do this in the shower. Do not use scrubbing sponges or facecloths on your tattoo as these can remove any scab that has formed. DO NOT Touch your tattoo unless to clean it or apply aftercare ointment. Scratch or pick at your tattoo. Scabbing or flaking is healing tissue and if removed, can damage your tattoo. Rub your tattoo with a towel, pat dry instead. Re-bandage your tattoo during healing process. Over-moisturize your tattoo. Use tanning booths or overexpose your tattoo to UV Rays. This can damage the healing tissue of your tattoo causing excess scabbing or color fading. Immerse your tattoo into bathtubs, hot tubs, lakes or swimming pools. Your tattoo is a healing wound; most large bodies of water are heavily contaminated with bacteria and can cause an infection. DO Clean your tattoo as directed. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo, whether to clean it or apply aftercare ointment. Slap your tattoo gently, do not scratch, should it become itchy. This helps numb nerve endings, relieving the itch without disturbing your tattoo. Keep clothing and all bedding clean regularly. Problems can occur if your tattoo comes in contact with dirty fabrics. Take a multi-vitamin containing Vitamin C, E, A, B6 and Zinc. Taking daily supplements boosts immune system and can speed healing times. Use a sunscreen, during UV exposure, to prevent fading after your tattoo has healed. INITIAL HEALING TIMES Everyone heals at a different rate. Normal healing time is 7-14 days. If you feel your tattoo is not healing as quickly as you anticipated, please do not hesitate to contact us. SIGNS OF AN INFECTION Sensation of heat at the tattoo site. Excessive redness and/or swelling Pain, either throbbing or spreading Discharge appearing as a grayish yellow or green color. Blood may also be in this discharge and it may have a foul odor to it. TREATMENT OF INFECTION FIRST THING is to contact your artist, either by phone or in person. See your doctor, should it be an infection. You will likely be put on an oral antibiotic that is best suited for you.