Reno Tattoo Co.
TATTOO AFTERCARE
Please note* Reno Tattoo Co. and its staff are not a health care provider. No information provided should be construed as medical advice and/or treatment. Any inquiries or concerns about health-related matters should be addressed to a physician or other medical professional.
Please seek the help of a medical professional if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms but not limited to:
-Fever more than 48 hours after being tattooed
-Chills or shivers more than 48 hours after being tattooed
-Inflammation, swelling, or hotness to touch in the tattooed area more than 48 hours after the tattoo
-Red streaks or marks
-Pus oozing from the tattoo
-Excessive scabbing
-Swollen lymph nodes
Ointment Aftercare method:
1. First Things First.
-Always wash your hands thoroughly with a mild, unscented antibacterial / antimicrobial soap before caring for your tattoo.
-Remove the covering no less than 1 hour and no longer than 3 hours after receiving your tattoo. DO NOT recover your tattoo.
2. Washing your tattoo.
A) The shower is the easiest and most effective way of washing your tattoo.
-Your tattoo will be the LAST thing you wash in the shower.
-Once ready to wash your tattoo, clean your hands with antibacterial / antimicrobial soap before touching it.
-Use your finger tips and palm ONLY while washing your tattoo. DO NOT use cloths, loofahs or any other objects to wash your tattoo.
-lather your tattoo with unscented antibacterial / antimicrobial soap.
-Once lathered, with moderate pressure do small circles using your finger tips and palm over the entire tattoo and the surrounding area.
-Rinse with warmer water. It is ok for the water to shower over your tattoo (this may hurt but will insure best results) DO NOT SUBMERGE YOUR TATTOO IN WATER. Continue to rinse your tattoo using small circles to remove all soap residue.
-Be sure to remove all dried blood, plasma, and ointment (failing to remove those elements can result in scabbing and loss of color) . A second wash may be needed after your first initial wash only.
-Finally let your tattoo AIR DRY, DO NOT wipe or pat dry your tattoo with a towel.
- Proceed to step 3.
B) Using a hand sink to wash your tattoo.
-Wash you hands thoroughly with unscented antibacterial soap.
-Run warmer water over your entire tattoo for at least a minute.
-lather unscented antibacterial / antimicrobial soap over your entire tattoo and the area surrounding it.
-Once lathered, with moderate pressure do small circles using your finger tips and palm over the entire tattoo and the surrounding area. DO NOT use cloths, loofahs or any other objects to wash your tattoo.
-Rinse with warmer water (this may hurt but will insure best results) and continue with small circles to remove all soap residue.
-Be sure to remove all dried blood, plasma, and ointment (failing to remove those elements can result in scabbing and los of color) . A second wash may be needed after your first initial wash only.
-Finally let your tattoo AIR DRY, DO NOT wipe or pat dry your tattoo with a towel.
- Proceed to step 3.
3. Applying Ointment
- Use a pea size amount of ointment recommended by your artist at Reno Tattoo Co. A little goes a long way. DO NOT glob ointment onto your tattoo this can destroy your tattoo. LESS IS MORE!
-Rub the ointment into the tattoo, it should be barely shiny once applied.
4. Maintaining your tattoo while it heals.
-You will need to wash your tattoo prior to applying a LIGHT COAT of the suggested ointment, a minimum of (3) three times a day but no more than (5) five times a day. A good rule of thumb, when the tattooed area feels dry, tight, and or itchy it may be time for a light coat of ointment. Be smart, listen to your body. Refer to steps 2 and 3.
-Continue to apply light coats of ointment until your tattoo begins to peal (the top layer of skin will lift off somewhat like a sunburn) usually 4-5 days.
-Once your tattoo begins pealing, discontinue the use of ointment and begin applying thin coats of unscented non-hypoallergenic lotion.
- Continue to use unscented non-hypoallergenic lotion until your tattoo is fully healed. Usually 10-20 days.
5. Things to know
- The tattoo will “bleed” pigment during the first few days of healing. This is normal. We recommend you wear clean cloths that you wont mind getting pigment on, it can stain and ruin your clothing and bedding.
-Make sure to have clean sheets and clothing. Changing you sheets daily is highly recommended.
-Don’t go swimming, hot tubing, or take baths for at-least two weeks after being tattooed.
-Don’t expose your tattoo to sunlight, tanning beds or any other source of UV lighting.
-The extremities of your body such as feet, ankles, hands, and wrist tend to swell more than other areas of the body, swelling is normal. To reduce swelling its always a good idea to elevate the swollen area above your heart.
6. Foot tattoos
-Foot tattoos are tougher to heal than most other areas of your body.
-Maintain your foot tattoo as suggested in steps 2-3.
-We recommend you don’t wear anything that will rub or make contact with the tattoo during the healing.
-DO NOT expose the tattoo to dirt, sand or any other matter.
7. Do Not’s
-Do not take advice from your friends about how to care for your tattoo. Follow these instructions, or call Reno Tattoo Co. with any questions 775-322-6393.
-Do not touch your tattoo with dirty hands or let other people touch your tattoo.
-Do not let animals near your tattoo or the areas you sit and lay.
-Do not wear dirty clothing.
-Do not Submerge your tattoo in liquid (baths, hot tubs, lakes, rivers ect.).
-Do not get lazy and neglect your tattoo, neglecting your tattoo will result in a charge if there is a necessary follow up with your tattoo. Not to mention it is there for a life time, A couples weeks of caring for your tattoo properly will result in the best outcome.
-Do not apply any non-recommended ointments or lotions to your tattoo.
-Do not glob ointment onto your tattoo, less is more.
-Do not use anything other than your finger tips and palm to clean your tattoo.
-Do not hesitate to call with any question or concerns about your tattoo
(775-322-6393) neglecting your tattoo is the worst thing you can do.
Tegaderm / 2nd skin Aftercare:
Tegaderm, a sterile, breathable, waterproof, germ-proof barrier to protect your new tattoo.
Leave the Tegaderm on for 3-4 DAYS.
1. The goal of Tegaderm.
-Tegaderm is there to protect your tattoo from infection, abrasion, irritation and contamination while it is going through the most important part of its healing.
-It will also protect your clothes, sheets and loved ones from coming in contact with the excess ink, blood and fluid that are the normal by-products of healing a tattoo.
2. Be cautious.
-You can perform most all of your usual activities (Avoid excessive sweating) while the tattoo is covered with Tegaderm. Be sure not to bump or rub your new tattoo excessively, or do anything that will scrape, puncture, or peel the covering off. These things can compromise the Tegaderm.
3.Showering.
-Showering shouldn't affect Tegaderm; it is reasonably waterproof. You can shower normal while healing. However, do not submerge the tattoo until your tattoo is fully healed.
4. Removal of Tegaderm.
-After 3-4 days, once ready to remove your tegaderm, clean your hands with antibacterial / antimicrobial soap before proceeding. Remove the Tegaderm by carefully peeling it off of your skin.
-The best way to remove Tegaderm is to find an edge of the bandage while in the shower, and then to pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth. Pulling upward on the Tegaderm can be painful. If pulling the tegaderm feels painful try a pulling it from another angle. In some rare cases, certain people will “stick” to the Tegaderm bandage more than others. The warmth of the water will help loosen the adhesive, and make it easier to remove. Do not quickly tear it off, as this can cause skin irritation.
5. After removing the Tegaderm its time for a wash.
A) The shower is the easiest and most effective way of washing your tattoo.
-Your tattoo will be the LAST thing you wash in the shower.
-Once ready to wash your tattoo, clean your hands with antibacterial / antimicrobial soap before touching it.
-Use your finger tips and palm ONLY while washing your tattoo. DO NOT use cloths, loofahs or any other objects to wash your tattoo.
-lather your tattoo with unscented antibacterial / antimicrobial soap.
-Once lathered, with moderate pressure do small circles using your finger tips and palm over the entire tattoo and the surrounding area.
-Rinse with warmer water. It is ok for the water to shower over your tattoo (this may hurt but will insure best results) DO NOT SUBMERGE YOUR TATTOO IN WATER. Continue to rinse your tattoo using small circles to remove all soap residue.
-Be sure to remove all dried blood, plasma, and ointment (failing to remove those elements can result in scabbing and loss of color) . A second wash may be needed after your first initial wash only.
-Finally let your tattoo AIR DRY, DO NOT wipe or pat dry your tattoo with a towel.
- Proceed to step 6.
B) Using a hand sink to wash your tattoo.
-Wash you hands thoroughly with unscented antibacterial soap.
-Run warmer water over your entire tattoo for at least a minute.
-lather unscented antibacterial / antimicrobial soap over your entire tattoo and the area surrounding it.
-Once lathered, with moderate pressure do small circles using your finger tips and palm over the entire tattoo and the surrounding area. DO NOT use cloths, loofahs or any other objects to wash your tattoo.
-Rinse with warmer water (this may hurt but will insure best results) and continue with small circles to remove all soap residue.
-Be sure to remove all dried blood, plasma, and ointment (failing to remove those elements can result in scabbing and los of color) . A second wash may be needed after your first initial wash only.
-Finally let your tattoo AIR DRY, DO NOT wipe or pat dry your tattoo with a towel.
- Proceed to step 6.
6. Moisturizing time.
-Its time for a light moisturizer like hand lotion (avoid heavy ointments)
-Tegaderm mitigates the need for heavier ointments like A&D or Aquaphor, these are generally used for the traditional ointment healing method.
-For the next 7-10 days, you will need to wash your tattoo and hands prior to applying a LIGHT COAT of hand lotion (use an unscented, colorless lotion ( Jergens, Lubriderm, Nivea, Noxzema, Ect ).
-A good rule of thumb, when the tattooed area feels dry, tight, or itchy it may be time for a light coat of lotion. Otherwise, let it air out and heal naturally. Be smart, listen to your body.
Fluid Build Up Under The Tegaderm?
-When using Tegaderm to heal a new tattoo, there’s a good chance that the tattoo will bleed under the wrap and pool with some bodily fluid. It’s totally normal for your Tegaderm tattoo bandage to fill with plasma, ink, and blood. You may also see a dark brown liquid that sits on your tattoo under the bandage.
-Throughout the tattooing process, the lymphatic system will rush plasma filled with antibodies to the injured area of the skin, in an attempt to clear out excess ink and jumpstart healing. The tattoo will continue to weep fluid for up to 48 hours after your tattoo session. The fluid is a combination of excess ink, blood, and plasma.
-When your Tegaderm fills up with fluid, it can look pretty gnarly. However, it is not a cause for concern unless the fluid is leaking out of the bandage or the buildup is excessive. As long as the seal of the bandage is still intact, you can leave the first Tegaderm bandage on for for 3-4 days. Allowing the bodily fluid to remain on the tattoo will help the skin retain moisture and aid in tattoo healing. This is all thanks to plasma, which carries important nutrients, hormones, and proteins to the wound site.
Should I Remove my Tegaderm Early?
-If a rash occurs it may be time to remove the Tegaderm early and follow the traditional ointment method of healing
-Shower water getting underneath the Tegaderm, may be a sign that there is an opening somewhere and could be compromised. Best to remove and reapply a new Tegaderm bandage. follow the "Tips for cleaning and reapplication of Tegaderm", steps below.
-Leaking fluids? Sometimes the fluid will find there way out and begin to leak out of the bandage. If this occurs, with clean hands, slowly press the remaining fluid out. Clean the opening with antibacterial / antimicrobial soap, dry the area, patch the opening with a new piece of Tegaderm.
-Bandage is lifting and wont stay down? Its probably time to remove, wash, and reapply the Tegaderm. Follow "Tips for cleaning and reapplication of Tegaderm", steps below.
Tips for cleaning and reapplication of Tegaderm.
-Do not use a washcloth, loofah, or sponge to clean your tattoo. These can be painful to clean a new tattoo with, and may harbor bacteria, we recommend using freshly washed hands and use a circular motion with your finger tips and palms. Refer to step 5.
-The best way to remove Tegaderm is to find an edge of the bandage while in the shower, and then to pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth. Pulling upward on the Tegaderm can be painful. If pulling the tegaderm feels painful try a pulling it from another angle. In some rare cases, certain people will “stick” to the Tegaderm bandage more than others. The warmth of the water will help loosen the adhesive, and make it easier to remove. Do not quickly tear it off, as this can cause skin irritation.
-Once you have thoroughly washed the tattoo, leave the tattoo uncovered for 15-20 minutes and allow to airdry before reapplying another Tegaderm Bandage. This will allow any excess moisture in the tattoo to evaporate.
-Make sure that you properly apply the Tegaderm bandage and leave at least 1 inch of buffer area around the tattoo and overlap 1 inch when applying multiple pieces. Doing this will play a large role in preventing fluids from building up too much and spilling out.
Things to know.
-Don’t go swimming, hot tubing, or take baths for at-least two weeks after being tattooed.
-Don’t expose your tattoo to sunlight, tanning beds or any other source of UV lighting.
-Make sure to have clean sheets and clothing. Changing you sheets daily is highly recommended.
-The extremities of your body such as feet, ankles, hands, and wrist tend to swell more than other areas of the body, swelling is normal. To reduce swelling its always a good idea to elevate the swollen area above your heart.
Foot Tattoos
-Foot tattoos are tougher to heal than most other areas of your body.
-Maintain your foot tattoo as suggested in steps 5-6.
-We recommend you don’t wear anything that will rub or make contact with the tattoo during the healing.
-DO NOT expose the tattoo to dirt, sand or any other matter.
7. Do Not’s
-Do not take advice from your friends about how to care for your tattoo. Follow these instructions, or call Reno Tattoo Co. with any questions 775-322-6393.
-Do not touch your tattoo with dirty hands or let other people touch your tattoo.
-Do not let animals near your tattoo or the areas you sit and lay.
-Do not wear dirty clothing.
-Do not Submerge your tattoo in liquid (baths, hot tubs, lakes, rivers ect.).
-Do not get lazy and neglect your tattoo, neglecting your tattoo will result in a charge if there is a necessary follow up with your tattoo. Not to mention it is there for a life time, A couples weeks of caring for your tattoo properly will result in the best outcome.
-Do not apply any non-recommended ointments or lotions to your tattoo.
-Do not glob ointment onto your tattoo, less is more.
-Do not use anything other than your finger tips and palm to clean your tattoo.
-Do not hesitate to call with any question or concerns about your tattoo
(775-322-6393) neglecting your tattoo is the worst thing you can do.