Blackout Aftercare

· Wash your hands before touching the tattooed area.

· Remove the bandage applied at the end of the session after 3 hours and wash the tattooed area with non scented antibacterial soap and warm water removing all ink/residue on the skin.

· Washing is essential for perfect healing! You do NOT want your tattoo to form crust due to lymph, blood, and ink accumulation. The goal is to keep the skin clean and dry especially through the first 24 hours.

· When washing, lightly rub the tattooed area with a clean paper towel and soap to remove the build up. You may notice a slimy texture on the tattoo, you want this completely washed off before moving on. After you wash the tattoo, pat with a new paper towel to fully dry the area until all wetness is gone.

· Make sure your tattoo is COMPLETELY DRY before moving on

· You may apply a very thin layer of ointment such as Aquaphor ONLY in creased areas (if any). We want the rest of the tattoo to stay completely dry.

· Use absorbent pads to wrap the tattooed area to keep it clean and safe from contaminants. You may leave a little room for airflow (do NOT tightly wrap the tattoo). This will also help eliminate the possibility of crust forming. The absorbent side must be in contact with the skin NOT the polished side!

· You will need to sleep with the absorbent bandage so that the tattoo doesn’t leak or form crust.

· The next morning remove the absorbent bandage and wash as instructed above to remove the residue on the skin. Dry with attention making sure you don’t have any glossy looking parts on the tattooed area then wrap your tattoo with a fresh absorbent sheet as instructed above.

· Repeat this process 2 to 3 times a day to insure theres no formation of crust.

· Once you start to notice the tattoo pealing you may start to use a cream such as Lubriderm all throughout the tattoo. You will also no longer need to use a paper towel to wash the tattoo. Just your clean hands!

· Peeling should start around day 4. Sometimes it will happen earlier or later which is also okay.

· For the next week continue to wash and dry your tattoo as listed above. After drying the skin apply a thin layer of cream to the tattooed area. Be sure to spread it lightly and evenly so that the skin has the possibility to breath correctly. Its always better to apply more later if the area is looking too dry than to drown the tattoo.

· Once your tattoo starts peeling you no longer need to wrap your tattoo at this point of the healing process.

· Try not to bend or stretch the tattooed area too much through the healing process. Your result will be better if you stay rested and take it easy. Elevating the area will also assist with swelling and discomfort.

· The tattooed area should reach the full amount of swelling within 24 hours after the session. It will swell quite a bit more through the next 24 hours. This is normal and you are able to take something, such as ibuprofen, to get the swelling down if you’d like.

· Be sure to wear lose clothing around the tattooed area through out the healing process. The area must be able to stay comfortable and breath to heal properly.

· You may ice the tattooed area to assist with swelling and discomfort AS LONG AS YOU HAVE THE TATTOO BANDAGED/WRAPPED. If you decide to do this make sure there is no water leaking onto the bandage!

· Do NOT let your tattoo get too hot under the bandage. This can create a sauna effect to the tattooed area. If you feel your tattoo is getting too hot under the wrap, then it is best to wash it and change the bandage at that time.

· Do NOT take too hot of showers while your blackout tattoo is healing. This can also cause a sauna effect and lead to complications in the healing process.

· Do NOT take baths or go swimming in any body of water and eliminate sun exposure until the tattoo is fully healed.

· You do not have to, but I would love update photos throughout the healing process to insure everything is going smoothly for you. Photo reports can be sent by email or text and are greatly appreciated!