You did the thing! Now let’s make sure it heals great…

Remember, tattoos are “living art”-
They can thrive if they’re cared for
and can suffer if they’re neglected!

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An easy way to remember how to care for your tattoo is 3/3/3…

Congratulations on your new tattoo! Some folks ignore the importance of how to properly care for their tattoos while they’re healing, but not you! Amity Ink wants to make sure your tattoo looks great for many years to come, and proper care of a healing tattoo is one of the most important ways to help! That’s why we’ve created a simple aftercare kit, compliments of your artist - we’ve provided all you need to get the best heal out.

First, a couple quick “rules” to follow:

  • Always care for your tattoo in a clean environment and always wash your hands before touching your tattoo.

  • No swimming or soaking/submerging the tattoo for any duration for the first WEEK (although the longer, the better). Microbes and chemicals found in pools and bodies of water are not your tattoo’s friend while it’s healing.

  • Shower as normal. (Yes, please!) During your shower, don’t use anything abrasive on your tattoo, such as loofas or exfoliating pads.

  • Avoid tanning (in natural sun or booths) until your tattoo heals, and even after, we strongly recommend using sunblock on your tattoo whenever you’re in the sun.

  • DO NOT PICK AT YOUR TATTOO! We know it’s fun when you’re bored, but it will compromise your tattoo and affect your healing time. So cut it out!

Now, back to this 3/3/3... Follow along! [THREE] times a day, for the first [THREE] days, lather your new tattoo with the Dial antibacterial soap provided. Be sure to wash off any blood/plasma residue that has surfaced, until the tattoo appears clean and feels smooth, not slimy. We prefer to let it air dry, but if you’re in a hurry, you can use a fresh/clean paper towel and gently dab the moisture. Don’t use a bath/kitchen towel - they’re havens for bacteria. Once your tattoo is dry, apply a thin film of the Redemption aftercare ointment to the tattoo. This helps protect your tattoo and create a barrier while your tattoo is still considered an “open wound”. Depending on the location of your tattoo, you may need to re-apply the Redemption more frequently throughout the first three days, as it can tend to rub off on the inside of clothing. So to recap: First three days, three times a day > Wash with Dial soap > Dry > Apply Redemption ointment. Finally, after day three, you can switch to the Lubriderm lotion provided, and continue to apply it for [THREE] weeks. You can’t over-apply the lotion in terms of frequency, just make sure to gently work the lotion into the skin until it’s absorbed each time. Lubriderm is your friend, especially during the peel-y, itchy stage of your tattoo! After three weeks, your tattoo should be healed for the world to see!

Some extra guidelines, if you’re still following along…

Some minor scabbing is typical, but your whole tattoo should not form a hard, scaly scab. If you notice that your tattoo is a bit scabby after Day 3, you may continue to use Redemption until the scab softens and sloughs off on its own.

Sometimes, bruising can happen as a result of the tattoo procedure. This is normal, and shouldn’t cause panic. We sometimes have to wrestle the skin a bit to make sure it’s taut during the tattoo, which can cause minor bruising. If you’re concerned about it, give your artist a call.

With any open wound, there is some risk of infection. Following the instructions on this page will help ensure your tattoo’s healing goes smoothly, but in rare instances, an infection can still occur. Signs that your tattoo may be infected are: bright pink/redness lingering days after the tattoo procedure (some initial redness is normal), the tattoo feels warm to the touch, lingering swelling/pain (again, some initial swelling is common), and finally, signs of pus or discharge can indicate an infection. If you feel that your tattoo might be infected, please get a hold of your artist right away and we will walk you through what steps to take.

As we just mentioned, if you have any questions or concerns about your aftercare, give us a call at 419-740-0381. We appreciate your friendship!