TATTOO AFTERCARE
Klik hier voor de Nederlandse versie.
The healing process of a tattoo takes an average of 3 to 4 weeks, so it's extremely important that you take care of it correctly during this period.
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Remove the plastic wrap max. 2 hours after your appointment.
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Wash your hands thoroughly.
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Wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and pH neutral soap (no antibacterial products!) and rub it gently to remove excess cream and bodily fluids. Do not use washcloths or cloth towels!
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Gently pat your tattoo dry with paper towels.
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Apply a thin layer of cream. The goal is to keep your tattoo hydrated while also letting it breathe. Don't smother it with a thick layer of cream.
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Repeat this process 2 to 3 times a day, depending on how dry your skin is naturally.
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It's completely normal for your tattoo to ooze some ink and blood/plasma during the first 24 hours. If you'd like to avoid dirty bedsheets, you can cover your tattoo with plastic wrap before going to bed. Only use plastic wrap on a tattoo that is clean and hydrated!
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If you work in a dirty environment (for example: lots of dust flying around), you should cover your tattoo with plastic wrap, but make sure you remove and replace it every 4 hours (max). Wash, dry, and hydrate the area as described above each time.
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Wear loose, clean clothing to avoid friction and infection.
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Keep your tattoo clean. If you have pets you have to be extra careful to keep them away from the tattooed area until it's completely healed.
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After a few days to a week your tattoo will probably start to itch and sometimes there will be small scabs. This is perfectly normal, but it's extremely important that you NEVER scratch the tattooed area!
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For the first 3 weeks you can only take showers, so no baths, pools, oceans, lakes, rivers, saunas, jacuzzis,... These drastically increase the risk of infection.
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Do not shave the tattooed area until it's completely healed.
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Avoid direct sunlight exposure. Tattooed skin is very sensitive during the first few months, so it's important to wear appropriate protection. During the healing process you need to stay out of the sun or cover your tattoo with clothing. When it's healed, make sure to always apply SPF 50 when going outside. This will keep your tattoo looking beautiful much longer.
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Some redness and swelling is completely normal after getting tattooed, but if the redness persists, gets worse, and/or you start to see yellow-ish scabs/fluid, contact me immediately. Please include photos in your email so I can give you proper instructions based on your specific situation. Infection doesn't happen often and it's easy to take care of, so there's no need to panic.
After the session the fate of your tattoo is completely in your hands. Don't underestimate the importance of good aftercare!
If, after the healing process, you notice some areas that need a little touch up, send me an email. A touch up is included in the price of the tattoo, unless it's obvious that you didn't follow the aftercare instructions.
If you have any questions about this, you can contact me at cheyo.wintertattoo@gmail.com.
Happy healing!