A tattoo isn't complete until it is fully healed.
This takes active participation on your part!
Almost every tattoo artist has one specific way that they believe is best and most likely that are no other ways to heal a tattoo with out going to hell or having all of the ink falling out of the tattoo! The body’s natural reaction is to push out any foreign substance and you body forms a scab over a wound to protect the skin beneath. The use of creams and ointments moisturize the skin and provide a safe environment for the tattoo to heal with out excessive scabbing that can take color with it when the scab comes off.
Now the 20 million dollar tattoo question? What kind of ointments or cream is best for healing a tattoo?
Vaseline – Petroleum Jelly is used by some tattoo artists while they are doing a tattoo, because of the ability petroleum jelly has to reduce bleeding at the time of the tattoo. For healing your tattoo Vaseline and other petroleum jelly products should be avoided because they do not allow your skin to properly breath and can greatly delay proper healing of your tattoo. This can also cause you to loose color in the tattoo and that kind of defeats the purpose of getting a tattoo in the first place.
Try and avoid medicated ointments, that contain numbing agents, menthol etc.
Never use sports cream on your tattoo, butt lube or any other ointment that is not recommended by your tattoo artist, and if your tattoo artist does recommend butt lube; it may be time to get a new tattoo artist.
We offer Black Cat Tattoo Aftercare Super Healing Salve. Developed by Tattoo Artists, a chemist and a family herbalist, Black Cat uses only the finest ingredients and insists the ingredients are cruelty free. Black cat’s ingredients make up the recipe for optimum healing. When used properly Black Cat Tattoo Healing Products may help you heal in a matter of days.
Detailed Aftercare Instructions
What to Do:
Remove bandage under warm running water after 1-2 hours. If bandage is stuck to the tattoo, gently remove it while under running water, therefore reducing the risk of damaging the tattoo.
Once bandage is removed, using an unscented (preferably antibacterial) soap, wash the tattoo off well with your hand and warm soapy water. When done washing the tattoo off, gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean towel and allow the tattoo to air dry for about 5-10 minutes.
Apply Black Cat Tattoo Aftercare (or Bacitracin) to the tattoo 4-6 times a day for 10-14 days.
Somewhere between 3 and 6 days, the tattoo will start to flake. Do not pick at or scratch. Let the skin peel naturally. You will notice small pieces of dry skin containing color coming off. This is normal.
Do Not:
Once bandage is completely removed DO NOT rebandage the tattoo.
NO direct sunlight or tanning on tattoo for first 2-3 weeks.
DO NOT pick or scratch tattoo while it is peeling.
DO NOT soak the tattoo for 2 weeks. No swimming, baths, hot tubs or saunas for 2 weeks. When tattoo has completely peeled, swimming or soaking is OK.
No shaving or waxing area until tattoo is completely healed.
DO NOT apply alcohol, Vaseline petroleum jelly or sunblock to fresh tattoo.
DO NOT listen to friends or so-called tattoo experts. If you have questions, call/visit the artist that did your tattoo!
Some extra stuff:
Once you leave the shop, proper care of your tattoo is your responsibility.
Small amounts of color may appear on clothing or sheets for first few days.
When tattoo is peeling, color will appear in pieces of dry skin.
If the tattoo is in an area where it can be exposed to the air, allow it to breathe. Allowing the tattoo to breathe will help the healing. Your body and oxygen are going to heal the tattoo.
If possible, wear loose fitting clothing over tattoo and be careful not to suffocate tattoo with socks or pantyhose.
