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No, it covers all pre-tattoo steps that my team and I take to get ready for your appointment such as (consulting, drawing, stencilling, set up, breakdown, etc).
Please do not consume alcohol the night before your tattoo. This blood causes excessive bleeding while being tattooed. The bleeding makes it hard for the ink to settle in. You should only be hydrating and eating well before the tattoo.
Please notify me if this applies to you, I want to make sure you have the best tattoo experience possible. Letting me know if these apply allows me to accommendate beforehand.
Please come dressed comfortably, as well bring or wear clothes that will make the tattoo area easily accessible.
Expect to come in and consult about your design since nothing is shown before.
Saniderm/Tatuderm is a breathable tattoo bandage which provides an effective barrier against water, dirt, germs, and friction.
Keep your saniderm/tatuderm wrap on for a minimum of 2 days, preferably 5 days for minimal scabbing.
After which peel it off against your skin (not away from) in the shower for easier removal.
** If in any case that your wrap opens up before the preferred period, remove it and proceed with AFTER BANDAGE instructions. **
After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and non-scented soap to gently wash away any ointment, blood and/or plasma and to completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. (If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, you have probably been oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible - when the plasma dries on the skin surface, it creates thick scabs.)
Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a clean towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow up with a very light application of ointment (A+D lotion / Dr Bronner's Magic Balm). Apply the lotion to your tattoo 2-3 times per day to keep it shiny and moisturized.
For me, I preferably like to "dry heal", which means exactly how it sounds like; dry all the time. Apart from keeping it clean by washing with non-scented soap 2-3 times a day, I do not lotion after. I find that my skin tends to stay damp after lotioning which results in slower healing. This is subjective as everyone's skin type is different. It might work for me, but not for you. It is good to understand your skin type and serve it to its needs.
** Do not use vaseline or aloe vera on your new tattoo. Vaseline blocks out oxygen penetration from your skin, causing blurriness whereas aloe vera detoxifies the body by flushing foreign matter, including ink, from the skin, resulting in some fading. **
** Do not use Neosporin. This is a wonderful product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos. Some can have an allergic reaction to Neosporin, which causes little red bumps. When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you end up with a polka-dotted tattoo. **
** Avoid body oils on tattoos during the healing process.**
After that, continue to keep it clean.
Your tattoo should be starting to dry up now. Be sure to only handle your tattoo with clean hands. Apply a thin later of lotion and rub it into your skin so that it absorbs it, leaving almost no trace of lotion on the surface.
** DO NOT OVER LOTION. LESS IS MORE. **
continue to keep it clean.
You will start to notice some peeling going on. You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! You can soothe the itch by applying a thin layer of lotion to moisturize it, or slap it.
DO. NOT. PICK. AT. IT.
Continue to keep it clean.
Your tattoo healing process should have 2 layers of scabbing :
The first layer, which is a thicker layer of flaky scabs with full-on ink color on them.
The second layer, which are super dry, scale-like thin flaky translucent scabs.
Both of these layers are crucial; DO NOT pick at them ever.
Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it.
Continue to keep it clean.
Your tattoo would be flaky and appear a little shiny. Continue with light lotion as per needed until completely healed.
BASIC DO NOTS :
Soak your tattoo in water for extended periods of time
Cake your tattoo with lotion
Expose openly to sun for long periods of time
Handle your tattoo without washing your hands first
Scratch or pick at your tattoo
** For people with sensitive skin, avoid consumption of shellfish until your tattoo is healed. **