Aftercare
A tattoo is a wound that turns into art. The first two weeks decide how it heals and how it looks in twenty years — here's the routine.
01 — Leave the bandage on as told
Your artist will tell you exactly how long to keep the covering on — follow that, not the internet. When it comes off, you're on wash duty.
02 — Wash gently, twice a day
Clean hands, lukewarm water, fragrance-free soap. No washcloths, no scrubbing. Pat dry with a clean paper towel — don't rub.
03 — Moisturize thin
A thin layer of fragrance-free lotion or the ointment your artist recommends, a few times a day. Thin is the word — a suffocated tattoo heals worse than a dry one.
04 — Keep it out of the water and the sun
No pools, ocean, hot tubs, or long soaks until it's fully healed. In South Florida that part is the hard one — keep fresh ink shaded and covered, and once healed, sunscreen becomes your tattoo's best friend for life.
05 — Don't pick, don't scratch
Peeling and light scabbing are normal. Let flakes fall off on their own — picking pulls ink out and leaves light spots.
06 — Give it two to four weeks
The surface settles in a couple of weeks; deeper layers take longer. Loose clothing over the area, clean sheets, and patience.
Your artist's instructions always come first — every tattoo and every body heals a little differently, and you'll get specific guidance with your piece. If anything about the healing seems off, contact the shop at (954) 434-3382, and see a doctor for anything that looks like an infection.