RECOMMENDED AFTERCARE PROTOCOL.
Everyone does not heal the same. Some people can have tougher heals then others, as well as tougher heals from one artist to another. This does not mean one generally tattoos better than the other. Some areas heal worse than others. All tattoo artists, and styles do not heal the same. I will lay a few different options for healing. However, if you choose to follow your own method you do so at your own risk. If further instructions are needed, or there is a concern on how a tattoo is healing, please contact me as soon as you notice so that I may address the issue. I can’t help 3 days late. Posting to social media or asking friends will not be beneficial. You will have an over-saturation of opinions from non professional Tattooers who also don’t take into effect the technicalities behind tattooing. If you have questions please email vandal33tattoo@gmail.com.
Coconut Oil Heal:
There are many reasons to use coconut oil. From the proteins for skin repair, to its antibacterial properties. I recommend this highly to my customers. You don’t have to switch from one product to another either. You can use it through the entire process. Here is a link to more information on coconut oil and it’s uses with Tattoo healing.
1. Remove bandage after 2 hours. Do not remove the bandage until it can be properly cleaned. When cleaning please don’t use a public non sterile truck stop kind of bathroom, unless you can sterilize your area. You can spread blood born pathogens this way. If need be, keep the Tattoo bandaged, but do not exceed 10 hours. Rinse the Tattoo well cleaning off any slimy coating from the tattooed area. Clean with a soft soap. Once that has been done use a paper towel to dab the Tattoo. Do not use a normal household towel. They can harbor bacteria that can then infect your Tattoo. Allow to air dry for 10 minutes prior to application of coconut oil.
2. Massage a small amount of coconut oil sparingly onto the Tattoo. This will be done every 4 to 6 hours depending on variables. This is a common sense phase. If you are going to do something that dries it out, do it every 4 hours. If it nice and moist, every 6 hours. DO NOT SIMPLY REAPPLY ON TOP OF AN UNCLEAN TATTOO! Blot any excess with a paper towel. Don’t just put a top layer. The skin and the surrounding area of the Tattoo needs the coconut oil to be rubbed in. It will be sore. But massaging it will allow for more circulation of cells. The perimeter needs moisturized as well about an inch outside the tattoo. When the skin dries it will start to dry outward, and pull in. That is why you can see in some people’s healing Tattoo a dry redness outside the Tattoo. It has dried and pulled inward. This is very important. Truly moisturizing the Tattoo will be key in the healing process. Especially in the first 3 days in which the body is going through the process of fighting off bacteria, while simultaneously accepting the foreign ink particles. It is very important you understand just how important the process is that your body will undergo. Avoid picking any scabs or scratching. You can lightly pat or smack the area if it’s that itchy.
3. Once you get to the peeling phase moisturize as needed. This happens 3 days to as long as 9 days. Once you have dried your skin out too much you will be in a battle of chasing for moisture so please even in this phase, be on top of it.
4. The best way to prevent scabs is to moisturize properly. This can cause a need for touch ups and more work. So avoid as much as you can. However if you do get them. DO NOT PICK THEM! A scab is similar to a shell where the body hardens to allow healing under the surface. This is necessary. It will fall off. But they do need to be lightly moisturized even still!
Recovery Derm Heal
1. If the area can take this, I always recommend a recovery derm heal. This is a flexible, breathable, water proof film that adheres to your tattoo. I apply the bandage directly after your tattoo. This allows excessive fluids to excrete. This is worn up to 24 hours after the tattoo. The next day I recommend changing it to a new bandage. Remove the old bandage, properly clean the area with a non scented soap, dry with a paper towel, and apply the new bandage. This can be worn up to 5 days. I have seen plenty of reduced heal times with this method. Brighter longer lasting heals.
2. After the 5 days simply go to coconut oil, or a soft unscented lotion like jergenz.
Simple Soap/Soft Lotion Heal:
This option is for smaller simpler tattoos, or if there is an allergy to the 2 methods before. Coconut oil is hypo allergenic but you never know. All instructions are the same as a coconut oil heal. However you would use a soft white lotion like Jergenz or Lubriderm. Or a recommended Tattoo after care.
Difficult Heals/Painful heals:
If your tattoo is having difficulty. Dry, slimy, excessive fluid with scabbing.
1. Wash the Tattoo and dry as normal.
2. Wrap the Tattoo with plastic wrap. Secure with medical tape. DO NOT WRAP WITH ANY OINTMENTS OR MOISTURIZERS.
3. Change the wrap every 4 hours. Do not exceed 6! Clean the Tattoo again. Air dry. Re wrap. You will do this 24 hours for another 3 to 5 days or until just natural body moisture is excreted. Not any plasma and such.
4. Do not excessively wrap the tattoo. The more plastic wrap the more moisture is built. Think of a greenhouse. The layers of plastic trap in the humidity and moisture. This can lead to adverse effects.
5. Not changing the wrap when supposed to, or cleaning the SKIN BETWEEN WRAPS CAN LEAD TO A MOISTURE RASH. Look for signs of redness, tenderness to the area, and red bumps that can turn to pimples. These pimples can scar if this isn’t addressed. If this happens, cease to wrap the area and apply lotion or coconut to the area of the Tattoo only! Allow the surrounded area to breathe and heal. You can ice the area for around 20 minutes.
6. Elevating your tattoo during the healing phase is extremely important. People need to start recognizing the fact that these are collectible pieces of art that are HEALING OPEN WOUNDS. Elevation of the leg will promote the flow of cells and macrophages to flow toward the closest lymph node in which, what is necessary, can be excreted. Simply. Reduce swelling tremendously. Elevate the tattooed area above heart level for an hour when you can.
7. Ibuprofen can help with swelling of the tattoo.
After A Tattoo NO NO’S:
1. Don’t go to any tanning beds or allow excessive forms of sun radiation.
2. Don’t go swimming or submerge your tattoo underwater until after the peeling process is completely done. This is 2 to 3 weeks. Don’t go to any saunas, pools, jacuzzis, lakes, beaches. None of these.
3. If you sleep with pets CHANGE YOUR BED SHEETS! Do this before sleeping in the bed. Pet dander can have bacteria and MRSA. This can lead to a staph infection.
4. Avoid your work out routine. Not only for excessive unnecessary swelling. But gyms can be gross. Other people’s habits can very easily infect your tattoo and spread disease.
Please Do:
1. Wear sunscreen to protect and prolong the tattoo after healing. Sun burning WILL PERMANENTLY DAMAGE YOUR TATTOO. There is no insurance on this and these are charges you will presumably accept for any repair or touch up work! So I suggest taking care of it.
2. Avoid tanning beds. If your going to use them then use 50+SPF on the tattooed area.
3. Drink plenty of water during the Tattoo healing. AGAIN. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER DURING HEALING. The skin needs to stay moisturized.
4. Feel free to continue to moisturize the Tattoo after it’s healed to prolong a healthy long lasting collection of art.