AFTERCARE

Unscented soap ( Dr.Bronners unscented or a cheap bar of soap from any pharmacy works great!)
Unscented lotion (Dove or Aveeno unscented) Coconut oil works too, but it has to be fresh without being used by any hands or fingers or else there is a risk of causing an infection
Access to a sink or shower with warm water
Clothing that doesn’t cling or stick to your healing tattoo (for the first 1-7 days)
Dedication to washing your tattoo for the first couple days 🙂
To wait 2 weeks before submerging your tattoo in any bathtub, lake, or swimming pool. Soaking your tattoo in water for an extended period of time risks an infection!
Loose fitting clothing (wearing tight clothing while your tattoo is can cause the tattoo to stick to the fabric and risks an infection)

Wash 3-4 times a day with warm water and any unscented soap (this sucks but washing this frequently is very worth it in the long run! It prevents scabbing and a tight feeling that can occur when plasma drys on top of your skin)
The tattoo naturally is secreting a little bit of blood, plasma, and ink (this show’s up by looking “shiny” a few hours in between washing) whenever you wash your tattoo use your bar of unscented soap and warm/hot water.
Try to gently wash off this “shiny-ness” as it is plasma on top of your tattoo, the warm/hot water will sting but it’s very important to keep your tattoo well washed for this period!
Do not apply any oils or lotions yet, the tattoo is still an “open wound” at this point! (Applying lotion is to keep your tattoo hydrated so it is not necessary at this point in the healing process)
Pat dry with a clean towel and avoid tight clothing that can cling to your tattoo!
Do not let any other people touch your tattoo, including pets or animals rubbing, sniffing or licking your piece!

Your piece is no longer an “open wound” in this stage. It is in the dry flakey stage of the healing process!
You can now wash it 1-2 times a day and apply unscented lotion 1-3 times a day.
I highly recommend to only use lotion after washing or wetting your tattoo
If your tattoo feels very dry and you don’t have time/access to wash it “wet it” by dripping water on it before applying lotion (this hydrates the tattoo before you “lock in” the hydration with lotion making it more effective!)
Once your piece starts flaking, you’ll see colored specks coming off of your skin, this is totally normal!
Do not pick or scratch your tattoo while it is flaking, this will possibly pull out ink and put you at a higher risk for requiring a touch up or scarring
Hydrating your tattoo will help with the itchiness you’re experiencing! If you feel the need to itch “tap” or “slap” your tattoo instead of scratching
Do not over lotion your tattoo! – you want the tattoo to flake as it heals, it’s a natural part of the healing process!
Overlotioning your tattoo will slow down the healing process

Your tattoo is now settling in, and completing of the last of its flaking process!
You can live your life normally, take baths and go in swimming pools!
Make sure to apply a small amount of sunscreen on your tattoo anytime your exposing it to sunlight, this will keep it looking rich for a lifetime (something to practice for the rest of life 🙂 )

YAyooooo! Congratulations! Your tattoo is fully healed now 🙂
if there are any little spots that had a difficult time healing please don’t hesitate to send me an email at jalentattoos@gmail.com with a photo, we can arrange a time for a touch up!