TATTOO AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS
REBEL INK AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS
If you have any questions about your tattoo or the healing process, please call or e-mail.
PLEASE DO:
• Always wash your hands BEFORE touching your tattoo!
• When you get home: Remove the Tattoo Derm 2 - 4 hours after getting your tattoo. Do not re-bandage.
• Wash your tattoo with an anti-bacterial liquid soap. Be gentle; do not use a washcloth or anything that will exfoliate your tattoo. Only use your hands. DO NOT use any soaps with exfoliants (scrubbing beads)
• Gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Do not rub or use a fabric with a rough surface.
• The first 3 or 4 days: Rub a small amount of ointment on your tattoo. You may use Tattoo Goo, and/or any other products made specifically for tattoos, A & D Ointment, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, or any white unscented hand lotion upon approval by the tattoo artist. Always use clean hands and do not place your fingers back into the ointment after touching your tattoo. Make sure to rub the ointment in so that it is not shiny or greasy – you want the tiniest amount possible. Pat off any excess ointment with a clean cloth or paper towel. Do not use Polysporin or any scented lotions. Wash, dry and apply ointment 3 – 5 times daily, as needed.
• Wear clean, soft clothing over your tattoo for the first 2 weeks – nothing abrasive or irritating. For a foot tattoo, go barefoot as much as possible. If you must wear shoes, first wrap your clean tattoo in Saran Wrap, then cover with a clean cotton sock before putting on your shoe. Avoid sandals or flip flops for this period to prevent chafing and damage to the tattoo.
• After Day 4: On the 3rd or 4th day, your tattoo will begin to peel. This is normal! Do not pick at the skin. Begin using a mild, white, unscented lotion, free of dyes and perfumes.
• Use lotion a minimum of 2 weeks, 1 – 2 times daily.
THINGS TO AVOID:
• Do not pick, scratch, peel, slap, rub or irritate your tattoo.
• You can shower, but do not soak or submerge your tattoo for 2 weeks. No swimming, soaking, or hot tub.
• You may not expose your tattoo to the sun for at least 3 weeks. After that, use of sun block is recommended to prevent fading. Artificial tanning is not recommended while your tattoo is healing.
• Do not wear abrasive materials, jewelry or shoes that rub against your tattoo.
• Do not let anyone touch your tattoo, unless they wash their hands.
• Do not exercise, in a gym or otherwise, the part of your body that has been tattooed.
YOU CAN ALSO:
• Take Ibuprofen for the swelling
• Ice your tattoo to reduce the swelling
• Elevate your tattoo to reduce the swelling
• Take short showers
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REBEL SKIN aftercare products are available in-store for purchase at Rebel Ink.
If you do not take care of your tattoo, it may become irritated, infected or damaged, or touch ups may be needed.($65.00 Sterilzation and Set Up fee) Please note the very important difference between INFECTED and IRRITATED.
INFECTIONS are very serious and can be red or prurple in colour in and around the outside of the tattoo and may have thin red lines extending from it. It may ooze, pus, or bleed abnormally and the tattoo could partially or fully reject from the skin. INFECTIONS are usually the result of improper aftercare, for example your tattoo getting dirty or othwerwise contaminated while fresh or healing. OR by improper practice by the artist, for example re-using dirty needles, dirty ink, cross contamination during the tattoo process, etc. *Rebel Ink uses ONE TIME use disposable needles and tubes, and a fresh sanitary tattoo station/set up for every new client. All reusable equipment such as the chair, squeeze- bottles, lights, tattoo machines, chords, and anything else that artist TOUCHES while tattooing is covered thuroughly and then cleaned affterwards with a high level disinfectant... If you think your tattoo is infected, seek medical attention immediately.
IRRITATIONS to your tattoo are usually a reaction to something following the tattoo procedure and can include: reactions to tattoo inks, aftercare lotions, soaps, dyes, detergents, perfumes, metals, allergies, temperature changes, etc. Irritations can happen, but do not be alarmed. Seek advice from your tattoo artist and or dermatologist to determine what is causing your irritation. Irritations can look differently from person to person depending on what the irritant is, whether that be a hive - type reaction, redness, swelling, acne (usually caused by not cleaning the tattoo, or applying too much lotion) itchiness, burning/pain, etc. Allergic reactions to tattoo inks and pigments are rare but can happen and can be caused by different ingredients within the ink.
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If you have any questions about your tattoo, or the healing process, please call or e-mail Rebel Ink.