PDF LINK: Click to Download Aftercare Instruction
VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS: Click Here
Your goal is to keep the scabs on as long as possible by keeping them clean, dry, and lightly moisturized to stay flexible.
Immediately After:
- The area will feel a bit tender and color will be quite dark and sharply defined. The color may also appear very warm
- The next day, it may appear reddish as scabs begin to form then after that, the scabs will turn quite dark and make the tattoo appear thicker than before.
- Depending on your skin, it takes anywhere from 7-14 days for scabbing to be over.
Cleaning:Note: these steps should be done after your shower/face washing routine.
FIRST DAY OF TREATMENT: Do all 4 steps below EVERY HOUR or so until you go to sleep. It’s important to clean off any fluids building up and is the most important step for proper healing and to avoid excessive scabbing. You should also blot off any excess fluids you see in between cleanings.
1. Always WASH YOUR HANDS thoroughly with antibacterial soap thoroughly before touching the tattooed area. You don’t want to get the area infected.
2. CLEAN the area very thoroughly but gently by wetting a cotton pad/gauze with water. Make sure to get in between the hairs and do not pull off the scabs once they have developed. If you want to use a cleanser, you can only use a mild, natural, fragrance-free cleanser like Cetaphil or Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Baby wash.
3. PAT DRY the area with a tissue or paper towel immediately after. If at any point you get the treated area wet, just pat dry immediately. You do not want the scabs wet long enough to turn soggy and roll off!
4. MOISTURIZE SPARINGLY* with the ointment provided to you. It should be a sheer breathable layer. Do NOT suffocate the area with too much product. If it looks greasy, blot it off!
*If you have very oily skin, skip this step and use blotting paper throughout the day to keep from getting too oily.
*If you are finding the area very dry, tight and itchy, you may reapply the ointment sparingly throughout the day.
NEXT 5-10 DAYS (or until scabs are completely gone): Repeat the 4 steps twice a day, morning and night.
NOT ALLOWED during the scabbing phase:
- Don’t allow the treated area to be wet for too long. You don’t want the scabs to get soggy and roll off. It’s ok if the scabs get wet, just dry the area immediately.
- No heavy sweating for the first 10 days. Salt is your worst enemy and will draw out the pigment! If you get sweat on the area, rinse and dry immediately.
- Avoid sleeping on your face for the first 10 days to avoid lifting your scabs prematurely and make sure you’re sleeping on a clean pillowcase to avoid infection.
- Avoid harsh cleansers, creams, makeup, or any other products on the treated area for at least 10 days. Chemicals and colorants of any kind will irritate the area and may cause an infection or interfere with the healed results.
- Don’t pick or scratch at the scabs. Let the scabs fall off naturally. Picking can cause scarring, loss of pigment, and even an infection.
- If you have bangs, you must clip them back for the first 7 days to avoid irritation and infection.
- Absolutely no sun exposure or tanning for 3-4 weeks after the procedure. Tanning will either dramatically lighten or darken your tattoo depending on your skin.
- No facials, chemical treatments and microdermabrasion for 4 weeks. Botox for 2 weeks.
After Scabbing Phase:
- Once the flakes have fallen off, it means your skin has grown over and sealed in the pigment. You may go back to your normal routine and apply makeup over the area after the scabs have completely fallen off.
- The color will appear milky and very faded. Over the next several weeks, the pigment will slowly reappear and become more vibrant so please be patient. The complete healing process takes about 6 weeks, at which time the true color of the tattoo is evident.
- For 4 weeks after the procedure it is best to not use creams that contain acids or ingredients that will lighten or exfoliate the skin.
- It is only after 6 weeks that a touch-up/adjustment can be done. Any earlier can damage the skin and cause scarring.
IMPORTANT: Please note that your tattoo will be lighter and not as crisp after healed.
TIP: Clean area thoroughly to avoid excess build-up of dead skin cells. This buildup will cause your pigment to appear grey and blurred (like looking at your pigment through a foggy window).
- The first appointment is about structure, design, and building a layer of pigment for a very natural look. One session will give you a subtler look and a good guideline for filling in with makeup if necessary.
- Your touch-up sessions are about seeing how the skin heals and retains pigment as well as making any necessary adjustments such as; shape, symmetry, density, color, layering, or filling in gaps.
- Results will vary with each individual and are extremely dependent on the health of your skin and how you heal. Therefore, please understand that all services are paid per session and non-refundable. Like with any beauty treatments, it may take several sessions to achieve desired results.
Once Fully Healed:
- Benzoyl Peroxide, Hydrogen Peroxide, Glycolic acid, Apple cider vinegar, Vitamin E and C, and retinols that can be found in Anti-aging / skin lightening/ skin brightening / acne products must be kept away from the tattooed area as continued use could deteriorate the pigment resulting in a bleached out color.
- Wear Sunscreen!!! Exposure to the sun over time can cause premature fading and discoloration of the pigment. You can wear large sunglasses and a hat for further protection.
- Rinse and dry the area thoroughly when in contact with chlorine or salt water.
- If you are having laser resurfacing or laser hair removal after your tattoo has healed, please inform the laser technician. Continue at your own discretion. Laser procedures may darken, lighten, or discolor the tattooed area.
- This treatment does fade after 1-3 years depending on your skin and lifestyle. Touch-ups will be necessary for maintenance.
- If you have oily skin, an iron deficiency, or a very strong immune system, your pigment will not last as long as others.
- Oily skin will not heal as crisp as dry skin.
- If you are trying to fix a tattoo done previously by another artist, the final results may not completely hide the previous work. You may need additional appointments to have better results.
- After your perfecting touch-up sessions,, try to wait at least one year before coming back for a touch-up. This will be better for your skin in the long run and avoid the risk of scarring.
**Following these guidelines is extremely important for the healed results of your Cosmetic Tattoo. Please DO NOT use other products or follow other artists’ aftercare instructions. Through extensive research and tests, these instructions will give you the best results!**
Please email a selfie of your healed results to us at [email protected]! We would love to see how our work turned out and how we can improve your treatment at your touchup!