Tattoo aftercare.....My two cents.

[Tha' Lurch]

Hi Everybody,
(Please Execuse me spelin') LOL!
I am new to this forum, but NOT a newby to Tattooing. I've been
Proffesionnaly Tattooing for ten plus years, and I've worked REALLY hard, especially in the last six or seven years, trying to develop healing direction,
that will work well for the 50-60% of clients that actually LISTEN ! LMAO!!
I have spoken with MANY dermatologists and Tattooists alike, and through trial and error, and PERSONALLY trying EVERY different method/combination, this is what I have come up with......I know everybody is a little different, and we all have our own opinions, and I also understand and respect that. I'll probably recieve some flack from some of you about this, but I'm willing to accept that......Because what I request of my clients, as far as aftercare, WORKS.....QUICKLY !! So here it is.........

I use quite a lot of A&D ointment during the Tattoo, because I believe it to be soothing to the clients skin, and also reduces the amount of blood "Caking"
up on the skin. I know a lot of you do not do this, because you don't think the skin can be stretched properly. Bull. If you apply it just right, in the right areas, you will not have this problem.
after the tattoo is complete, I bandage the tattoo, (NO FRICKIN' SERAN WRAP!!!) and ask the client to continue wearing the bandage for One to three hours. At that time, I ask them to remove said bandage, and for
F$%Ks sake, throw it away, and NEVER re-bandage. At that time, wash hands with Anti-bacterial soap, for ONE minute, rinse, then lather their tattoo
in a little anti-bacterial soap, (20-30 seconds) and rinse the tattoo with COLD
water (This seals the pores). Then IMMEDIATELY blot dry with a PAPER
towel.....NEVER a regular 'TOWEL', as this may not only introduce a Bacterial problem, but a lint problem too.
I have my clients wash their tattoo, ONCE (Maybe twice) a day, in this manner, for the duration of the healing period. I cannot stress enough.....
"Moisture is the INK KILLER". We all know too much moisture breeds
SCABBING.....SCABBING, reduces the amount of inserted ink that remains !
Not to mention Bacterial infection, when they decide, it's O.K to pick at the scabs with their DIRTY fingernails!
AFTER, the first two days, I have them put on a THIN layer of 'Curel'
Un-Scented lotion, (Because it's thin, and therefore, dissipates better, in the skin) ONCE per day. Just enough to rub into the tattoo, without leaving ANY excess residue. Again...not too much moisture!
I tell them that the lotion is NOT there to 'HEAL' the tattoo, but to make the area 'flexible' enough to avoid the dreaded tattoo splitting syndrome.
When this is done properly, (and of course no swimming or SUBMERGING
in water) the tattoo will not scab, and they 'peal' like a colored sunburn.
The reason I have them wait two days before using lotion, is that if this,
in coordination with the avoidance of exessive moisture, the tattoo (IF DONE CORRECTLY) will develope a 'micro-thin' protective layer, as opposed to
scabbing. It will therefore be LESS prone to take in excess moisture, and
not scab in the days following.
Please note, that these directions are simplified for the client, so as not to confuse them !! This as we all know can easily be done. LOL!!!

I have used this method myself and with my clients, for well over three
years now, and have noticed healing TIME on mine and their tattoos,
Significantly reduced. Even on SOLID color fields. Healing time with this
"Dryer" method range from four to six days.............DONE, with minimal Ink loss, because all the ink doesn't get sucked into the scabs.
This also reduces lost productivity time, in touch-ups. I hardly EVER have to 'touch-up' my tattoos. That is NICE !!

I have tried EVERYTHING over the years, for healing tattoos.....from A&D
to Neo-sporin, Tattoo goo, Ink-fix, Bacitracin Zinc, aqua-fore, H2ocean,
hell, I've even tried the gel form of Preperation 'H', Not to mention just about every lotion on the market.
The reason I have PERSONALLY used all these things, is out of curiosity.
To see what REALLY works.
Almost ALL the healing ointments mentioned above SUFFOCATE the tattoo. Our skin sweats CONSTANTLY.....whether we realize it or not,
and when you SEAL that sweat under even a thin layer of these 'GOOPS',
you not only attract bacteria a lot of the time, but the skin CANNOT BREATH.
and all that sweat cannot escape, and is drawn into the Tattoo........
AGAIN, causing a moisture problem, which promotes scabbing, cracking,
loss of ink, and healing times of up to or in excess of a MONTH !!!
I have seen this time and time again.
Often, when I look at a tattoo that has a major "fall-out", it is because
the client was either not given instruction, or given a pack of Bacitracin, or
A&D ointment.
When they GOOP this shit on, they have no end of issues with their tattoo......again, from fall-out, to excessive healing times.
Our skin MUST breath to heal, people.
Obviously, some clients know our job better than we do, LMAO!!, and don't pay attention to a thing we tell them. Or will listen to what some Bar buddy
tells them, because they did a 'Tat' with a 'GUN' this one time!!!! LMFAO!!!
But it boils down to how much WE care about OUR industry, and the survival of our industry. Hacks, and 'kitchen-Wizards' already make things
hard enough for the reputation of OUR 'ART'.
Like I said in the begining of this long-winded rant,......we all have, and have the right to our own opinions, and I'm sure a lot of you, that hand out the foil packs, will think I'm full of BULL...........But try it.....Just try it yourself. I'm only writing this in the hopes of helping out.
You can also check around, and I think you'll find, if you asked the leading artists in OUR industry, what THEIR healing recommendations are,......
You'll find that I'm NOT here stearing you all wrong.
I've taken the time, Obsessed, researched.....etc...etc..etc....
And this is my Two Cents.

Hope it helps.
Peace to all, and best wishes to the haters.
Tha' Lurch.

[Rockabillytattoo]

...more or less the healing procedures I follow and tell my customers. 50 to 60% that listen!! ain't that the truth, IF THAT!!!! A printed out version of the instructions to the customer can increase the chance that they'll take care of their new tattoo properly. Good write there Lurch:p

[papadurivage]

You're absolutely right about moisture.. but, I use aquaphor for the first 2 days, then switch to non-scented lotion (I prefer Eucerin though, as its even less greasy than curel).. I find that aquaphor can be used just fine as long as you use it very sparingly and rub it in like you would lotion.. GOOPING is the reason ointments draw moisture up, and doesn't let skin breath.. also people often apply ointments right after washing.. trapping moisture as well... which we agree isnt good.. I let it dry for a good 30 minutes before applying anything..

I guess my point here is this.. There is no 100% correct way to heal a tattoo, as everyone heals differently/skin is different.. but, there are plenty of wrong ways.. mostly having to do with not paying attention to details and what your skin needs, as most common folk have no idea..

I mean, I have healed a pretty large tattoo, with solid fields of color using ointment, and keeping it saran wrapped for 4 days, with no scabbing, no peeling and it was healed by the end of 4 days (well the initial part).. (I wouldnt ever recommend this to the general public, because most people cant follow simple intructions, let alone complex ones).. so, it all comes down to paying attention to how your tattoo is healing, and taking care of it properly, whatever your methodology may be..

[hotdiggitydawg]

You boys still haven't used Bepanthon have you?

[voodoo]

WE dont need no stink'n bepanthon !! Most of us yanks use the above method or something like it!

[hotdiggitydawg]

WE dont need no stink'n bepanthon !! Most of us yanks use the above method or something like it!

"Below" method, numb-nuts :rolleyes:

[voodoo]

SEnd me some and i will give it a fair shake......

[lowshovel1]

You boys still haven't used Bepanthon have you?

Anyone know where to get this in the U.S ?

[Tha' Lurch]

Eucerin huh, Papadivivage? Tried everything else, Why not,....I'll give it a shot. I'm glad some of us seem to be on the same page, and I do agree
with Papadivivage, there is no 100% agreed on form of healing, and what may work for one client (or the ones that follow simple instruction), may not work for somebody else. ESPECIALLY if applied in the wrong manner.!
My last thread was really long winded(Sorry), So I'll make this quick.
But I personnally know a lot of artists still handing out "the Goo", and they GENERALLY end up with less than savoury results when the tattoo is healed. I was really just trying to get 'My' point accross in that area.

Have a great day people, and keep that ink flowing!!
Tha' Lurch.

[Tha' Lurch]

My appologies on my poor spelling.

[Miller]

Makes sense to me. (My experience with tattoos is pretty limited but sadly my experience with cuts and bruises is vast- :rolleyes: )

[Asyntotic]

i was wondering just how long you would recommend befor i can do a touch up on my leg, iv herd different from alot of people, some say 3 months some say a month and a half so i was wondering about how long it takes for the proper full healing of your cells befor you can put ink in the skin again :)

[black raven]

i would say ,14-21 days for me, it looks pretty much healed after about 7 days, no scabs, no flaking, just a little dry, thats why a good lotion is very helpful in healing tattoos for me. but i,m sure it still has some healing underneath so i give it a little extra time to be on the safe side.

[Asyntotic]

alright thanks raven! ya i couldn't believe it when i herd 3 months so i had to ask

[black raven]

well dude, thats what seems to work for me most of the time. what you need to do is keep a close track of how your tattoos are healing, this way you can get right on it and change something up if most of your clients are taking an abnormal amount of time healing. if the tattoo is still glossy, still flaking, or light scabbing , do not tattoo , give it another week and have a look. i usually have the client stop back in a couple of days to a week so i can see how its doing .then at that time you can get a pretty good idea how its gonna heal up. you should see if your going to have any light spots or not, so then you can judge about how much time you will need. since we all heal differently this method allows me to do it on an individual basis. i don't live in a huge town so most of all my clients know one another in some way or the other so i can keep track of how my stuff is doing.

[Asyntotic]

well the reason i was asking was because i wanted to touch up the tiger on my leg and add some more stuff, its probably been a week and a half or so and it was totally healed after about six days and i was wondering how much longer i needed to wait befor i could go over it again, but its been healed up for a bit now, ill still wait like a week just to make sure, thanks man!

oh and just wondering i noticed after it was done "flakeing" it was kinda glossy why is that??? is that bad cause my other tattoos never got glossy? hope i didn't fuck something up haha :D

[L_Pease]

well the reason i was asking was because i wanted to touch up the tiger on my leg and add some more stuff, its probably been a week and a half or so and it was totally healed after about six days and i was wondering how much longer i needed to wait befor i could go over it again, but its been healed up for a bit now, ill still wait like a week just to make sure, thanks man!

oh and just wondering i noticed after it was done "flakeing" it was kinda glossy why is that??? is that bad cause my other tattoos never got glossy? hope i didn't fuck something up haha :D
If a tattoo is shiny or glossy or milky, DO NOT TOUCH IT WITH A TATTOO MACHINE WHATSOEVER!!! As much as you would like to think it was totally healed after six days, it wasn't. A tattoo takes upwards of 6-8 weeks before it is totally healed. The shine you see is a clear indicator that it is still healing. Once the shine is gone you can retouch it.

[Asyntotic]

If a tattoo is shiny or glossy or milky, DO NOT TOUCH IT WITH A TATTOO MACHINE WHATSOEVER!!! As much as you would like to think it was totally healed after six days, it wasn't. A tattoo takes upwards of 6-8 weeks before it is totally healed. The shine you see is a clear indicator that it is still healing. Once the shine is gone you can retouch it.

thanks for the help guys

what i ment was it felt fine and was nice and smooth after about six days, my question was why does it get shiney is it just part of the healing process and i missed it in my other tattoos or what?

[L_Pease]

Hi Everybody,
(Please Execuse me spelin') LOL!

I have spoken with MANY dermatologists and Tattooists alike, and through trial and error, and PERSONALLY trying EVERY different method/combination, this is what I have come up with......I know everybody is a little different, and we all have our own opinions, and I also understand and respect that. I'll probably recieve some flack from some of you about this, but I'm willing to accept that......Because what I request of my clients, as far as aftercare, WORKS.....QUICKLY !! So here it is.........

after the tattoo is complete, I bandage the tattoo, (NO FRICKIN' SERAN WRAP!!!) and ask the client to continue wearing the bandage for One to three hours. At that time, I ask them to remove said bandage, and for
F$%Ks sake, throw it away, and NEVER re-bandage. At that time, wash hands with Anti-bacterial soap, for ONE minute, rinse, then lather their tattoo
in a little anti-bacterial soap, (20-30 seconds) and rinse the tattoo with COLD
water (This seals the pores). Then IMMEDIATELY blot dry with a PAPER
towel.....NEVER a regular 'TOWEL', as this may not only introduce a Bacterial problem, but a lint problem too.
I have my clients wash their tattoo, ONCE (Maybe twice) a day, in this manner, for the duration of the healing period. I cannot stress enough.....
"Moisture is the INK KILLER". We all know too much moisture breeds
SCABBING.....SCABBING, reduces the amount of inserted ink that remains !
Not to mention Bacterial infection, when they decide, it's O.K to pick at the scabs with their DIRTY fingernails!
AFTER, the first two days, I have them put on a THIN layer of 'Curel'
Un-Scented lotion, (Because it's thin, and therefore, dissipates better, in the skin) ONCE per day. Just enough to rub into the tattoo, without leaving ANY excess residue. Again...not too much moisture!
I tell them that the lotion is NOT there to 'HEAL' the tattoo, but to make the area 'flexible' enough to avoid the dreaded tattoo splitting syndrome.
When this is done properly, (and of course no swimming or SUBMERGING
in water) the tattoo will not scab, and they 'peal' like a colored sunburn.
The reason I have them wait two days before using lotion, is that if this,
in coordination with the avoidance of exessive moisture, the tattoo (IF DONE CORRECTLY) will develope a 'micro-thin' protective layer, as opposed to
scabbing. It will therefore be LESS prone to take in excess moisture, and
not scab in the days following.

I have used this method myself and with my clients, for well over three
years now, and have noticed healing TIME on mine and their tattoos,
Significantly reduced. Even on SOLID color fields. Healing time with this
"Dryer" method range from four to six days.............DONE, with minimal Ink loss, because all the ink doesn't get sucked into the scabs.
This also reduces lost productivity time, in touch-ups. I hardly EVER have to 'touch-up' my tattoos. That is NICE !!

I have tried EVERYTHING over the years, for healing tattoos.....from A&D
to Neo-sporin, Tattoo goo, Ink-fix, Bacitracin Zinc, aqua-fore, H2ocean,
hell, I've even tried the gel form of Preperation 'H', Not to mention just about every lotion on the market.
The reason I have PERSONALLY used all these things, is out of curiosity.
To see what REALLY works.
Almost ALL the healing ointments mentioned above SUFFOCATE the tattoo. Our skin sweats CONSTANTLY.....whether we realize it or not,
and when you SEAL that sweat under even a thin layer of these 'GOOPS',
you not only attract bacteria a lot of the time, but the skin CANNOT BREATH.
and all that sweat cannot escape, and is drawn into the Tattoo........
AGAIN, causing a moisture problem, which promotes scabbing, cracking,
loss of ink, and healing times of up to or in excess of a MONTH !!!
I have seen this time and time again.
Often, when I look at a tattoo that has a major "fall-out", it is because
the client was either not given instruction, or given a pack of Bacitracin, or
A&D ointment.
When they GOOP this shit on, they have no end of issues with their tattoo......again, from fall-out, to excessive healing times.
Our skin MUST breath to heal, people.
Obviously, some clients know our job better than we do, LMAO!!, and don't pay attention to a thing we tell them. Or will listen to what some Bar buddy
tells them, because they did a 'Tat' with a 'GUN' this one time!!!! LMFAO!!!
But it boils down to how much WE care about OUR industry, and the survival of our industry. Hacks, and 'kitchen-Wizards' already make things
hard enough for the reputation of OUR 'ART'.
Like I said in the begining of this long-winded rant,......we all have, and have the right to our own opinions, and I'm sure a lot of you, that hand out the foil packs, will think I'm full of BULL...........But try it.....Just try it yourself. I'm only writing this in the hopes of helping out.
You can also check around, and I think you'll find, if you asked the leading artists in OUR industry, what THEIR healing recommendations are,......
You'll find that I'm NOT here stearing you all wrong.
I've taken the time, Obsessed, researched.....etc...etc..etc....
And this is my Two Cents.


Lurch, I'm not ball busting here. I just have a few comments on your post. You make a lot of good points that should be followed, however there are a few statements that are more opinion than fact.

Moisture is NOT the enemy. We need a bit of moisture to heal a tattoo effectively. Moisture does the complete opposite of causing scabbing. Too much keeps your tattoo gooey and leads to a slow heal with a faded end result. DRYING and/or overworking causes scabbing! Allowing your tattoo to dry out causes the crusty texture that later becomes a full on scab. A little ointment properly applied often enough to keep your tattoo looking wet and velvety will allow for the fastest healing. When I say applied properly I mean very thinly and worked into the tattoo like if you were rubbing in lotion. If you can run a finger across the tattoo and see a defined channel in the ointment it is too thick. There are several ointments on the market depending on your location so I am sure you have tried many, but surely not everything as you admit you have not tried Aquaphor.

I would have to say in my opinion major fall outs are the end result of one of two reasons (or both)...one reason being overworked areas. The second reason from allowing the tattoo to dry out and scab then either picking the scab or snagging it on an article of clothing or bed sheets/blankets. Too much ointment usually results in a completely faded tattoo not just spots.
When I recommended A&D there was an average of 4-5 days for peeling. I currently recommend Palmers Bottom Butter and every customer I have spoken with has confirmed a 2-3 day peel time. This stuff was recommended by my doctor for my daughter's diaper rash that would not go away for over a month with various ointments. The morning after applying the PBB it was gone. I then used it on my own fresh tattoo to test it out and on the third day it was completely peeled.

Every artist has their own method to some degree that works with their style of tattooing and their choice of pigments. There is no one golden method. The goal is that the skin closes as quickly as possible to prevent infection.

My personal method that I tell every customer is as follows:
Wash the tattoo with (clean hands of course) a mild unscented, color free soap and water. Use only your hands to lather and rinse. Blot it dry with a paper towel, no rubbing. Again, with clean hands, apply a small amount of Palmers Bottom Butter and work it completely into the skin like lotion. Blot off any thick remaining ointment. Allow the tattoo to breathe, unless exposed to a dirty or dusty environment, or other contaminants (brake fluids, grease, chemicals etc...). Cover with either clothing or a bandage(non-stick of choice) NO GAUZE, if necessary. Wrap with plastic (yes plastic) or a non-stick bandage for the first two nights while sleeping if necessary. If you get up during the night for any other reason, uncover the tattoo and rinse with cold water. Re-apply the PBB and re-wrap if needed. Wash again in the morning using the same soap/water method. Re-apply PBB in the same manner.As soon as it starts to peel (2-3 days) switch to an unscented lotion of choice until the itching subsides.

This is only my method and what works for my tattoo style. I am not saying this is better or that Lurch's method is wrong.

The Palmers Bottom Butter is a cocoa butter based ointment containing vitamins A, D, B5. If you can find it, try it. It might just be the last ointment you buy. Smells like fresh-made waffle cones also.
http://www.etbrowne.com/products/Collection.aspx?CollectionID=27&ProductLineID=429

Basically if the tattoo is well done and not overworked...keep it clean and moist (not gooped, but not dry) and it will heal quickly and nicely.

Lurch, no disrespect, just a difference of opinion.

[L_Pease]

thanks for the help guys

what i ment was it felt fine and was nice and smooth after about six days, my question was why does it get shiney is it just part of the healing process and i missed it in my other tattoos or what?
That shine is the new layer of skin growth. If you tattoo it while the shine is visible you will tear the skin up much more easily as well as interrupt the healing potentially causing prolonged healing and possible scarring. Also, there is not way to tell how the tattoo is going to really look until the ink is settled. You will see very obvious spots yes, but the tattoo will look different in a few more weeks.

[Asyntotic]

wow thanks alot man you always write alot but i find your info really helpfull and informative so the reading is worth it even though i dislike reading :D haha

[AncientOne]

Lots of good info here. Personaly I think that people all heal differently. You can give people general aftercare tips but they know how there body heals. I've seen tats turn out great from overcare and no aftercare at all. Made me Cringe but they turned out great. Like my girlfriend washes tats once a day, ointment once a day, all scaby but they turn out great. I use (on myself) polysporin triple for three days and never had any color pull out but seen it pull ink out of other people.

Keep it dressed for three hours, keep it clean with mild soap/luke warm water, ointment for three days(3times a day), then an unscented lotion for the rest of your life(keeps em lookin fresh) and no soaking for two weeks.

Oh yeah, Sanran wrap with a soaker strip comes off easy. It also keeps people from rippin off their bandage too soon to show everyone their new tat.