★ For food grade plastic wrap on your new tattoo: leave the bandage on overnight. If for any reason you need to wash the tattoo before bed, re-bandage with clean plastic cling wrap.

This prevents your new tattoo from sticking to your sheets and oxygenating creating thick scabs (which pull out ink).

★ For Saniderm/Second-skin self-adhesive bandage: leave bandage on for a minimum of overnight and a maximum of 4 days (day one being tomorrow/day after tattoo).

Bandage is waterproof, shower as normal and wash/dry around the bandage area. Should the bandage leak or start to come off before 3-4 days, remove as soon as possible and wash. If the bandage becomes red, irritated, itchy and/or puffy remove immediately and wash. Do not strenuously exercise with bandage on, sweat will pool under the plastic.

Always wash your hands well before touching the tattoo. Using warm to hot water, do not burn yourself; make a good lather with your hands or a clean wash cloth and gently wash the tattoo until all slimy fluid washes off the surface of the new tattoo.

★ To dry: pat clean tattoo with clean towel or paper towel.

★ Do not re-bandage tattoo or wear tight clothing, or wear jewelry, purses or bags that irritate the tattooed area.

★ For the first week to two weeks wash the tattoo once or twice a day with unscented soap (Baby Dr. Bronner's is great). Pat the tattoo dry (never rub). When the tattoo feels tight or dry like a sunburn, use a small amount of water-based fragrance free (unscented) lotion; just enough to moisturize. Rub lotion gently onto skin and wipe off the excess.

Do not use an excessive amount of lotion as this will complicate the healing process. You may not need lotion for the first day or two, wait until the tattoo looks and feels "thirsty.” The tattoo will become itchy, use lotion to alleviate the itching, never pick or scratch your tattoo!

★ Do not use any petroleum based products like A&D ointment, auqaphor, vasoline, neosporine...etc.

★ Do not soak the tattoo. No bathtubs, hot tubs, oceans, lakes...etc for two weeks. Showers are fine.

★ Stay out of dirty situations where bacteria and sediment could come into contact with your new tattoo for 2 weeks. Be safe! A new tattoo is an open wound and you could get very sick from contact with bacteria from a beach, gym, recreational water activities or gardening.

Do not let your tattoo come in direct contact with animals for the first 2 weeks.

If your tattoo becomes crusty, discolored or extremely painful, or you notice red streaks going from the procedure site towards the heart, elevated body temperature, or purulent drainage from the tattoo, seek medical attention.

★ My recommendations for soaps and lotions are as follows: Baby Dr. Bronner's mild unscented, Cetaphil, Cerave for soaps. Grapeseed oil, thick unscented shea butter creme, or Lubriderm hand lotion for lotions. Read the ingredients on your products. If you see a lot of preservatives and alcohol, go for something more gentle. If you have sensitive skin, use a mild hypoallergenic brand you are comfortable with.