Aftercare

Expressive Ink, and its owner, or any of its employees may not be held responsible for any negligence or damage done to the tattoo

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR NEW TATTOO

The tattoo will take approximately two weeks to heal. It may be tender for the first few days, and then it will develop light scabs and appear crusty. These will flake off. DO NOT pick at or peal them off!

During this period, the tattoo may look ugly, and it may seem that its color is falling out with the scabs. DON’T WORRY; this is a normal part of the process! During the next stage, the tattoo looks basically healed, but is still waxy or shiny on the surface. The directions below should be followed until the last stage has passed and the tattoo is fully healed.

DIRECTIONS:

Leave the bandage on for 1 hour. Remove the bandage and DO NOT re-bandage it. Wetting the bandage while removing it will help prevent it from sticking to your skin. Wash your hands, rinse them clean and then wash the tattoo lightly, using mild soap and water. I recommend Dial Antibacterial pump soap. Rinse with luke warm water and air dry or pat dry with a clean paper towel. DO NOT USE sponges, bath towels, and/or hand towels, etc (They can harbor bacteria and infect your tattoo.) Whenever washing the tattoo use fingers only (DO NOT USE FINGER NAILS) gently, and be brief. NO SCRUBBING or PICKING!

Apply H2Ocean after care product (for tattoos) using your clean fingertips. A very thin layer is all you need. I REPEAT a very thin layer is all you need. DO NOT over use or place a thick layer over your tattoo. The skin needs air to heal. Globing the aftercare product on will clog the pores and prevent air from being able to dry your tattoo and heal it. Too much will prevent your tattoo from healing properly. Apply the H2Ocean 2-3 times a day for 5-10 days. Each day thereafter, keep the area clean and apply a fragrance free, dye free, basic lotion 3 times a day if you want (applying lotion after the 5-10 days of H2Ocean is not necessary.)

Make sure your hands are clean every time you touch the tattoo and don’t let anyone else touch it! – This includes pets!

ABOUT LOTIONS:

For the entire period that the tattoo is healing, only use fragrance free, dye free lotion. No exceptions! This is extremely important. Many products that seem as if they would work can ruin a tattoo. No Vaseline, baby oil, alcohol, peroxide, mineral oil, bag balm, vitamin E, aloe, polysporin, Noxzema, natural remedies, etc. We do NOT recommend Neosporin. It is not a good product for healing a tattoo; many people have reactions to it and it often pulls color out of the tattoo. On some occasions some individuals may develop a reaction to the lotion they are using. You will know that this is happening if you develop bumps or pimples in the tattooed area. This is not a serious problem. Simply wash the area and switch to a different fragrant free, dye free, basic lotion.

DO’S, DON’TS, AND DETAILS:

You can shower as normal, but for the first two-week healing period (try and stretch it to 3 weeks) do not submerge the tattoo in water. No swimming, hot tubs, or saunas. It will grossly interfere with the healing process and could cause infections and scarring. Do not expose your tattoo to sunlight or tanning for at least the initial two-week period (I strongly recommend waiting 3 weeks.) Keep it covered with clothing (DO NOT re-bandage.) The healing tattoo will react violently to sun exposure, no matter how short the duration. DO NOT pick at the tattoo! Let the scabs flake off on their own, no scratching, rubbing, or abusing the tattoo in any manner!!! Once your tattoo is healed, you may go in the sun, but keep in mind that the sun rapidly fades even the best colors, and the sooner you age your skin, the sooner you age your tattoo. Don’t use sunscreen for at least one month after getting the tattoo, and at that point do a patch test first to make sure you don’t have a reaction.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Despite the constant efforts to ensure that all our pigments meet the highest standard of quality and purity, the application of some pigments to some individuals may cause allergic reactions, due to the sensitivity of the person. Expressive Ink, and whomever it may designate as its operators, disclaim any responsibility for an allergic reaction of any person to whom pigment is applied. The tattoo is not guaranteed when you leave the studio. We have given you the very best in art, the very best in color, and the tattoo was applied expertly under the most sterile conditions. You are responsible for its care in the next few days. It’s easy. Treat yourself right, and enjoy your new tattoo!

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR NEW PIERCING

The piercing can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 4+months to heal. It may be tender for the first few days, and then it may develop light scabs and appear crusty. DO NOT pick at or peal them off! You may wet your piercing while cleaning in to soften any crust until it becomes similar to a snot like substance. At that point, using a clean finger (not finger nail) you may gently rub it off to remove it.

DIRECTIONS:

3 times a day (morning, before bed, and once in between) wash your hands, rinse them clean and then wash the piercing lightly, using mild soap and water. I recommend Dial Antibacterial pump soap. Rinse with luke warm. If crust is present, wet your piercing while cleaning in to soften any crust until it becomes similar to a snot like substance. At that point, using a clean finger (not finger nail) you may gently rub it off to remove it. Next, you will gently rotate and / or spin the jewelry carefully. Do Not press too hard or scrape with nails. After cleaning, you may pat dry with a clean paper towel. DO NOT USE sponges, bath towels, and/or hand towels, etc (They can harbor bacteria and infect your piercing.) Whenever washing the piercing use fingers only (DO NOT USE FINGER NAILS) gently, and be brief. NO SCRUBBING or PICKING!

Apply H2Ocean after care product (for piercings) 2-3 times between cleanings (4-6 times per day.) If your hands are clean you can gently rotate or slide the jewelry back and forth. If your hands are not clean DO NOT touch the piercing.

Make sure your hands are clean every time you touch the piercing and don’t let anyone else touch it! – This includes pets!

DO’S, DON’TS, AND DETAILS

You can shower as normal, but for the first two-week healing period (try and stretch it to 3 weeks) do not submerge the piercing in water. No swimming, hot tubs, or saunas. It will grossly interfere with the healing process and could cause infections and scarring. Do not expose your piercing to sunlight or tanning for at least the initial 3 week period (I strongly recommend waiting 4 weeks.) The healing piercing can react violently to sun exposure, no matter how short the duration. DO NOT pick at the piercing! No scratching, rubbing, or abusing the piercing in any manner!!! Once your piercing is healed, you may go in the sun.

Warning:

No matter how much your piercing itches, burns, or tempts you to touch/play with it – Do Not touch it unless your hands are clean and you are cleaning it. Keep the piercing away from direct sunlight when possible for least 3 to 4 weeks. Avoid going to chlorine pools or salt water for at least 3-4 weeks. Avoid any artificial tanning for at least 3-4 weeks.