*ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR TATTOO*
This is the most important step in preventing infection, and the spread of disease!

Follow these directions carefully to heal your tattoo correctly.

It takes time and thought to take care of your new tattoo, but you won't regret it years from now when it still looks great! If you have any questions or concerns throughout the healing process, give your tattoo artist a call. Or contact us by e-mail at zwoods@gmail.com.

*A warning about Bacitracin*
Reports of allergic reaction to Bacitracin are on the rise. Always apply a small amount of any product that is new to you only to a small corner of the tattoo first and wait ten minutes before applying it to the rest of the tattoo. Wash off IMEDIATELY if you experience burning or swelling.

1. Your tattoo artist should have put some sort of bandage over the tattoo after it's application. It should usually be removed about two hours after it was applied. Do not rebandage the tattoo unless instructed to do so by your tattoo artist. Based upon the location of the tattoo and the type of work you do (etc.) your tattoo artist may have instructed you otherwise, in order to protect the tattoo from friction, the sun, or harsh chemicals.
2. After removing the bandage, wash the tattooed area with a mild soap and warm water. Most hand soaps are mild enough to be used on your tattoo, but avoid perfumed or anti-bacterial soaps. Perfumes tend to be alcohol-based, which will irritate the skin, and anti-bacterial soaps can be too strong and may disturb the good bacteria that protects the skin. Work a small amount of mild hand soap into a lather and GENTLY massage the soap into the tattoo, removing any blood or Vaseline remaining on the surface of your skin. Rinse off the soap and PAT the tattoo dry using a clean paper towel.
3. Allow your tattoo to air dry for about ten minutes after patting it dry, and then massage in a very small dose of bacitracin, two to thee times daily, or as needed to prevent the tattoo from becoming overly dry. Bacitracin is a mild antibiotic, and works extremely well for helping the fresh tattoo heal cleanly. Triple-antibiotic ointments such as Neosporine may cause a mild allergic reaction, resulting in fading in the tattoo.
4. After five days, substitute a mild moisturizing lotion (such as Lubriderm) in place of the bacitracin ointment. Continue to use the lotion as you have with the bacitracin until the scabs flake off on their own. As with the soap, avoid lotions containing perfumes, which may cause irritation, and burning. And NEVER apply alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide to the tattoo.

More Tattoo Tips

1. Don't listen to your friends!!! Many people have had some kind of experience with tattoos, and lots of tattoo artists have their own method of aftercare. Some of them even work. The methods we have taken the time to explain to you will keep your tattoo looking bright, and new for years to come. Trust us, not them.
2. A sunburn on a fresh tattoo will cause fading and in some cases even scarring. Sometimes the damage is repairable (at your expense), and sometimes it is not!
3. The scabs are there to protect the tattoo while it's healing. Protect the scabs until they are done with their job, and they'll fall off on there own.
4. Slap it, don't scratch it! After about a week through the healing process, you will experience some pretty significant itching. You can try rubbing lotion, or bacitracin into it, or you can slap it. Just don't scratch it.
5. Color tattoos may take up to four weeks for the true colors to emerge. Until the skin completely heals, it may have a milky coloration, making some colors (especially reds) appear dull.
6. Infection in a professionally applied tattoo is rare, but possible. The signs of infection are fever, pussing, and significant swelling that lasts for more than two days. If you develop a rash while using bacitracin you may be allergic to it. In either case please contact your tattoo artist to find out if the condition could require medical attention.