Pre-Procedure Instructions:

The day before you tattoo, moisturize the desired tattoo area with unscented lotion and keep the desired tattoo area out of the sun. We cannot tattoo on sunburns. If your desired tattoo area is in an area that you do not normally shave, please allow the artist to shave the area you when you come in for your appointment or shave yourself carefully the day of your appointment. BE SURE to drink plenty of water up to the appointment time. DO NOT consume alcohol or any drugs before the procedure. Wear comfortable clothes that make the area easily accessible and that you don’t mind possibly getting stained. To help reduce swelling and irritation, you should take Ibuprofen or similar NSAID an hour or two before the appointment.

Post-Procedure Care:

Ointment Option:

First Day: Remove Dri-Lock/Tegaderm 1-2 hours after your appointment.

Initial 3-5 Days: Squeeze a small amount of unscented anti-bacterial soap into the palm of your hands. With warm water, gently pat the soap and water mixture to clean your tattoo ensuring any dry blood/ink is removed. Pat with a clean, dry paper towel. Squeeze a small amount of Vitamins A&D Ointment onto your clean fingers, spreading a thin, even layer over the entire tattooed area, absorbing into the skin. *Avoid using too much, as excessive ointment can suffocate the skin and delay healing. Only cover with a Dri-Lock if needed by positioning the Dri-Lock onto your tattoo. Secure the Dri-Lock with Surgical Tape and Reinforce the bandage with Athletic Tape.

Day 6-14 (As Needed): Dispense a small amount of C&E V5 Vitamin Body Lotion (Unscented) onto your clean fingertips and gently spread a thin layer of the lotion over the tattooed area.

14+ Days (As Needed): Dispense a small amount of Sunscreen onto your clean fingertips. Spread it evenly over the tattooed area, ensuring complete coverage. (DO NOT apply Sunscreen to a fresh or healing tattoo. Wait until your tattoo is fully healed, typically 2-4 weeks after your appointment date).

Do you not submerge the tattoo and water for at least 14 days. Also, you will need to keep any pets from touching the tattoo because it can possibly get contaminated or developed an infection. It may develop a scab, if so please do not scratch or pick up the scab. The tattoo itself may itch during the healing process as well, please do not scratch it or put anything other than lotion on it. It is always good to use a high SPF sunblock once the tattoo is at least two weeks old. To help reduce swelling and irritation, use Ibuprofen or similar NSAID (acetaminophen will not help with swelling but can help with discomfort) for the first 3-4 days as directed on the packaging. At four weeks, the tattoo will typically be fully healed and we can do any necessary touchups after that time. You’ll just need to call and schedule that for whatever the artist has available Mondays through Fridays. We do not do free touchups on Saturdays or Sundays.

Tegaderm Option:

First 1-6 Days: If Tegaderm was applied at your appointment within the first 24 hours after being tattooed. To remove the patch, peel it slowly and gently from the edges. Pull it in a downwards motion, away from your body, using soapy water to help reduce discomfort. Squeeze a small amount of unscented anti-bacterial soap into the palm of your hands. With warm water, gently massage the soap and water mixture to clean your tattoo ensuring any dry blood/ink is removed. Pat dry with a clean, dry paper towel. Before applying Tegaderm, ensure the skin surrounding the tattoo is completely dry and clean. Gently place the Tegaderm over the tattoo, starting from one edge and smoothing it down to prevent air bubbles. Ensure the Tegaderm has a 1" boarder surrounding the tattoo. Remove the Tegaderm after 5-6 days, as long as the edges stay sealed. If the edges start to peel drastically, replace with a new Tegaderm if available or refer to the "Ointment Option" care guide.

Please be aware that any allergies or sensitivity to adhesive‘s will need to be mentioned to your artist so that they do not use this product as it will irritate the skin a great deal and slow the healing process of the tattoo. If any redness or irritation occurs while using Tegaderm, remove and refer to the "Ointment Option" care guide and contact us at (210) 816-7167 or on social media @twistedtattootx.

Day 6-14 (As Needed): Dispense a small amount of C&E V5 Vitamin Body Lotion (Unscented) onto your clean fingertips and gently spread a thin layer of the lotion over the tattooed area.

14+ Days (As Needed): Dispense a small amount of Sunscreen onto your clean fingertips. Spread it evenly over the tattooed area, ensuring complete coverage. (DO NOT apply Sunscreen to a fresh or healing tattoo. Wait until your tattoo is fully healed, typically 2-4 weeks after your appointment date).