2. Wash tattoo immediately after removing bandage, with warm water and mild soap.

3. If bandage is stuck to the tattoo, hop in the shower with the bandage ON, and let the warm water in the shower loosen it until it falls off.

4. Do *not* apply a new bandage, your tattoo needs oxygen to heal.

5. Wash your new tattoo twice daily, (pref. morning and night,) for the first three days.  After that, wash it once a day until the tattoo is completely healed, (approx. 2 weeks).

6. Pat dry your tattoo for the next two weeks. 

 ***DO NOT RUB***  If you rub your healing tattoo with a towel, you may remove part of the tattoo!  We recommend drying your tattoo with a paper towel for the first three days, as cloth towels can harbor bacteria.  Also, cotton is a natural fiber.  If cotton lint gets into the open tattoo, it will rot.

7. Apply Bacitracin ointment four times daily for three days.  This is an antibiotic ointment, found on the First Aid aisle of most drug stores.  We only recommend Bacitracin, please do not substitute any other antibiotic ointment for it.  Other antibiotic ointments may cause problems.  Make sure you use Bacitracin very sparingly and rub it into the tattoo like you would when using lotion.  *Do not over-goop it.*  If there is any ointment visible on the skin after you have rubbed it in, blot off the excess with a paper towel or tissue.  IF YOU OVER-MEDICATE YOUR HEALING TATTOO, YOU WILL CAUSE IT TO WEEP OUT THE PIGMENT.  This makes for a light, washed-out looking tattoo.

8. On the fourth day, switch to an unscented, white lotion.  We recommend Lubriderm Original Fragrance-Free, (with the white cap) or Eucerin.  Eucerin is a bit thicker, and it better for those with drier skin.  If your skin is a bit oily, use the Lubriderm. If your tattoo has a burning sensation after applying lotion, you may have a minor allergy to an ingredient in the lotion.  Switch to a different lotion.  If you need a recommendation, please call the studio.

9. Your tattoo will peel like a sunburn and itch while it is healing.  This is completely normal and part of the healing process.  You may see pigment, (color) in the peel. This is excess pigment and you are not losing part of your tattoo. DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH YOUR NEW TATTOO!  This may cause color loss and/or infection.

10. If your tattoo gets a red aura around it and gets more painful after a day or two, come back to the studio to show us.  You may have a slight allergy to a soap or lotion you are applying to the tattoo.  Also, if you get small red bumps around your tattoo, in the area where you applied lotion or soap, that is another symptom of allergic reaction.  We cannot diagnose over the phone, we need to see your tattoo to know what to recommend for you.

11. Infection is a rare but possible side effect after getting tattooed.  Usually this is caused by applying ointment or lotion with dirty hands, or picking at your tattoo.  It doesn't matter how clean of a person you are, your fingernails carry bacteria.  Another possibility is if you work construction or in a warehouse, and it is very dusty or dirty, that could cause infection.  If you work in a dusty or dirty environment, make sure you wash your tattoo after work, and ALWAYS wash your hands before applying your lotion or ointment.

A NEW TATTOO IS AN OPEN WOUND.  TREAT IT AS SUCH.

If you have any questions or problems, please come by the studio, email, or call us at 626-821-5453.

Thank you very much for your business!