POST-PROCEDURE

The key to proper healing and color retention, is patience, controlled cleaning, moisture (ointment), and not picking at the treated skin.

Congratulations on your new tattoo!

It is important to remember that your skin just experienced trauma, and will need time to heal. Your new tattoo may go through several phases during the healing cycle. Please be patient, and do not judge the results until weeks 6-8.

Day 1-5: The pigment of your tattoo can appear very sharp, saturated, bright, or very dark, immediately after the procedure, and up to a week post-procedure. This is because the pigment is still sitting on top of your skin, and has not yet settled in completely. The color of the pigment will soften gradually as the top layer of your skin heals.

*Be aware that some brow pigments will appear reddish to very red during the first week, this is completely normal and will neutralize and dissipate within a week.

Do not pull or pick at the treated skin. This will pull the underlying pigment out with it and will affect the healed results! As the skin continues to heal and give way to the fresh new skin, it is normal for the color to appear patchy and appear like it’s completely fading away. Be assured the color will resurface as the healing continues.

WEEK 1-2: Once the healing of the skin starts to take place, it may look like dandruff flakes or dry skin. The color may even appear patchy. DO NOT pick at the skin. Let the skin heal, continue to apply your aftercare ointment to aid in healing

WEEK 3: This is when you may experience extreme fading, but this is the new layer of fresh skin growth that makes the pigment look dulled. Please be patient as there is still healing taking place on a microscopic level.

WEEK 6-8: You will notice that the pigment reappears once the new skin is healed and the underlying pigment surfaces. It may be 15-20% lighter than the initial color applied, this is normal and expected. By now you might see areas that need retouching. This is normal and an indication that you will need a 6-8 week perfecting appointment.

- Do change your pillowcase the night of treatment
- Do disinfect all eyewear and phones you may use
- Do keep the treatment area clean and hydrated

- Do not allow pets to lick or be near your treatment area
- Do not touch or allow others to touch your treatment area during healing
- Do not apply makeup directly to your treatment area for 2 weeks
- Do not use any cleansing products containing acids (glycolic, lactic, or AHA), or exfoliants on your treatment area
- Do not apply sunscreens, go in direct sun, use tanning beds, or self-tanners on your use tanning beds, or self-tanners on your treatment area
- Do not go into swimming pools, oceans, hot tubs, saunas, or hot steamy showers
- Do not get dirt (as in gardening) near your treatment area
- Do not do activities in which you will perspire for the first 7 days
- Do not be alarmed if pigment comes off while cleansing or applying aftercare ointments
- Do not use topical antibiotics in your treatment areas

Remember:

- Do not be alarmed by fading during the healing process. The final color can’t be judged until 6-8 weeks post-procedure - If planning to have laser hair removal or a Photo Facial using IPL, in the treatment area, notify the laser technician of your cosmetic tattoo, so this area can be avoided by the laser. Both ablative and non-ablative lasers may cause pigment to turn black

At the first sign of infection, we advise you to consult your physician and then notify your cosmetic tattoo technician.

This should be done every hour on the day of the procedure.

Absorb/Blot (Day 1) After the procedure, every hour for the first 4 hours, gently blot the area with a clean a damp paper towel to absorb excess lymph fluid. Removing this fluid prevents it from hardening, which would result in an unsightly scab, and affect healed results. After 4 hours, it is not necessary to continue this step.

Hydrate (Day 1) After you blot or wash the treatment area, with a clean cotton swab, spread a tiny rice grain amount of healing ointment (Aquaphor) across the treated area to hydrate and protect the area. Be sure not to over-apply, as this will suffocate your skin and delay healing. The product should be barely noticeable on the skin.

Always allow the area to completely dry before applying healing ointment.

NEVER put the product on a wet or damp tattoo. Only use the ointment that was provided, particular ingredients can and will compromise your healed results

Wash (evening of day 1 and continue through day 7) Gently wash the area each morning and night with water and gentle soap, like Dial Soap, Cetaphil, or baby shampoo to remove bacteria, the buildup of product, oils, and dry skin. (Don’t worry, THIS DOES NOT REMOVE THE PIGMENT!). With a very light touch, use your fingertips to gently cleanse the area. Rub the area in a smooth motion for 5-10 seconds, and rinse with water ensuring that all soap is rinsed away. To dry, gently pat with a towel. Once the treated area is completely dry, apply a thin, rice grain size amount of aftercare ointment.

DO NOT use any cleansing products containing acids (glycolic, lactic, or AHA), or exfoliants.

Eyelids may be puffy, similar to what you have after a good cry for the first 24-48 hours. Your tattoo will look darkest for the first few days, then scab or peel, realizing their actual color once fully healed within 6-8 weeks. Always keep your eye area clean by washing morning and night with gentle cleanser, such as Cetaphil or Dial soap. DO NOT use any cleansing products containing acids (glycolic, lactic, or AHA), or exfoliants.

We recommend a dry heal unless you feel that the treated area has excessive dryness, then you may apply a thin layer of Aquaphor. Do not pick or scrub the area, this could pull the pigment out.

Avoid: Mascara, eye creams, lash growth products, moisturizers, Retin-A, lash tinting, lash extensions, and false lashes for 2-weeks following the procedure.

After the procedure lips will tend to be chapped, dry, swollen, and have a burning/ dry sensation for a few days. Your tattoo will look intense and bright for the first few days, then scab or peel, appear lighter, then realizing its actual color once fully healed within 6-8 weeks. Do not force, peel, or pull the dry skin off.

For the first 2-3 days, you may want to drink only through straws if your lips feel sore or sensitive.

Avoid kissing and intimate gestures involving your lips for a day or so. Avoid getting toothpaste on the lips for the first week after the procedure. Avoid extended wear lipsticks or plumping gloss, and teeth bleaching, for a minimum of 3 weeks.

*Melanated lip clients will go through a healing stage of temporary darkening, where the lips almost look completely black, for a few weeks. This is expected and normal as the melanocytes have been activated, and acts as a protective barrier for the skin. You must wait a full 8 weeks for the skin to settle and the new lip color to be visible.

Allow pigment to settle for 12-24 hours before washing your scalp. Avoid sweating, touching, sun exposure, or submerging your scalp in water. If you are planning on wearing a hat the first week of treatment, be sure it is freshly washed and dry before placing it on your head.

Leave Tegaderm bandage on the treatment area for 4-7 days without removal, it is waterproof and breathable to aid in healing. If you see excessive fluid buildup under the bandage during the healing process, remove the bandage and gently wash the treatment area with a gentle cleanser, pat dry with a clean towel, allow the area to air dry completely, then put a new Tegaderm bandage over top. After the bandage is permanently removed, you may keep a light layer of ointment on the treatment area to help with healing and itching until it’s fully healed (6-8 weeks). Avoid all water activities while wearing Tagadrem.

*Follow Eyebrow aftercare for this section

Many clients worry about what they will look like during the healing process. The great news is that your tattoo will not look unsightly, and it is not necessary to take time off work for healing.

The Removal Process
Removing, improving, or lightening pigment is a process that may take several sessions. Mature or saturated tattoos may initially respond slowly. After 3 treatments we’ll have a better idea of how easily the pigment is removing. Pigment may look darker before it gets lighter, especially if was implanted deeply. The pigment that’s closer to the surface removes easier. The brown pigment is made up of black, white, yellow, red, and green. Black pigment usually removes first, making other colors more visible. Grey brows may look browner, or warmer colors may begin to show during healing.

First 48 hours
Any redness surrounding the treated area subsides within an hour or two. Redness within the treated area becomes brown as the skin dries out. The treated area must be allowed to fully dry out over the next 48 hours. For most people, the area is touch dry within the first few hours. Only touch with very clean hands, ideally no touching for 48 hours. If the skin is not allowed to dry out quickly you will not get the best results. Saline wound care wipes can be used to gently remove excess oil

*For scalp tattoo removal, do not use any other aftercare products during this initial drying out phase, do not the area wet or sweaty for 48 hours. For lip liner treatments, keep movements small and to a minimum.

After 48 hours
The treated area is now very dry, and a light scab will have formed You may see pigment visible in the scab. You are to use ONE SINGLE APPLICATION of aftercare ointment on and slightly around the scab. This single application will last all day, leaving a soft film over the scab. You can get the area a little wet when washing and showering, avoid rubbing the area. After any wetness, gently hold a clean towel on the scab to dry it out. Do not allow excessive amounts of water to the treatment area. Depending on the area treated, the scab will remain firmly attached for 5 to 14 days Excessive movements are likely to crack the scab, which is not ideal for easy healing Do not attempt to remove the scab before it naturally heals away from the treated area. For eyebrows, the scab might be held in eyebrow hair until gently removed. At no time can you pick off attached scabs, you will cause unwanted results.

Skin prone to hyperpigmentation
For those prone to hyperpigmentation, follow the ‘First 48 hours’ instruction. After 48 hours, the scab and surrounding skin must NOT be allowed to dry out or hyperpigmentation can occur. Re-apply aftercare ointment every day until the skin returns to a normal color.

After the scab heals off
The pigment may look visibly lighter or different for the first 1-8 weeks These are not considered results, it’s your skin healing and the remaining pigment settling. You may begin using makeup on the area if desired. Treat the area gently, no exfoliating or excessive sun exposure The second treatment can be carried out after 8 weeks. The treatment cycle is 8 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and repeated as required. We must leave a longer time between treatments if the skin has not returned to a normal color.

Tattoo removal is a process with many variables, therefore determining how much pigment can be removed during each visit, or how many visits are needed, cannot be known or guaranteed.