Pandora's Ink

tattoos -- art -- aftercare

Tattoo Aftercare

•   Remove bandage from tattoo after 1.5 to no more than 3 hours.

•  After removing bandage, lightly wash tattoo & surrounding area with water and mild soap. Rinse away all surface blood, plasma, remaining ointment & soap.

•  Always air dry (do not rub!) until tattoo is completely healed.

•  Do not re-bandage tattoo.

•  Do not apply alcohol, peroxide or betadine to tattoo.

•  Do not rub, pick or scratch your tattoo. Do not use a washcloth on it.

•  Apply a very thin layer of A&D ointment (do NOT use Neosporin). Do so 3 times a day for the next 4-6 days.

•  Be careful not to let any scabs that may have formed be scraped off before they’re ready to naturally come off. You should have a relatively uniform thin scab over the entire tattoo that should slough off in a week.

•  After the tattoo has sloughed its scabs, you can apply high quality fragrance free lotion (Lubriderm, Curel, Keri). Keep skin very slightly moist, not wet. A little goes a long way.

•  Keep pets away from healing tattoo.

•  If area around tattoo becomes more and more red, discontinue lotion, let tattoo dry out and heal with no further moisturizing.

•  Do not expose tattoo to sunlight for at least 2 weeks.

•  Do not soak in water for 2 weeks or until tattoo is completely healed.

•  In the event of an infection of the tattoo, please consult with a physician immediately.

•  If your tattoo is on a foot or hand, please understand that the body often times treats these tattoos like a sprain. So, take Advil for the first few days afterwards, keep it elevated as much as you possibly can, and use ice if needed to keep the swelling down.