So, now I am going to let you in in the BEST AFTERCARE method that is very simple to follow. I have 10 Tattoos along with a leg sleeve, and have tried every aftercare method out there , at least once, so I could find the BEST to use on myself and to tell my friends about. ( it looks as if I am sharing this with the worked also ) !!!!
Your artist will recommend products. ANY GOOD parlor will never try and sell you their choice of products, a GOOD PARLOR will tell you how to care for it, what recommend products ( the reason a lot of parlors "push" products at you is to boost their sales, a good and clean parlor will not because they get enough business and tips just from their ink work and piercing alone ! )
Once your new tattoo is finished, your artist will show you in the correct lighting ( a good parlour rents their booths and hires the artists and/or piercers, it will be bright and cheery, you will be able to see the artist at work in some cases, they will charge you a fair price and if paying by cash, will more than not even charge you less for your work ) They can only do work they have drawn templates up and decorated the spacious seating room with if you are simply a walk in customer - want something personal call ahead to make an appointment and give the artist a little time to make a stencil of your drawing or what you have described to the artist that you want...right down to the color. If it is a large tattoo you may be asked to have it done in scheduled sessions ( once you agree on a price and sign the papers required by law, just like at a doctors office, they can not make you pay more than the original agreed on price).
When you have made your decision on a Tattoo Parlor, do your research on the one you are interested in. Look them up on -line for ratings, reviews, and comments. When your looking around the shop ( BEFORE having it done ) make sure they follow all proper procedures. SUCH AS: the paperwork is in order, signed and drivers licenses copied. The chosen artist uses fresh or disposable needles and guns are covered and sterilized after each use.The tables and area around is sprayed down with a good disinfectant that kills blood borne pathogens - you know, diseases.The artist is not afraid to constantly change gloves and even had all the bottles you see in his area covered in case of blood.YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO CAREFUL WITH YOUR BODY, YOUR HEALTH, YOUR SAFETY, and the SAFETY OF THE ARTIST.One very good way to judge a shop is the cleanliness of the Waiting Area,Seating,Floors,and Walls -Just take a glance around as you step into the lobby.
Remember, this is YOUR body. Pick out your design ( or set your appointment for custom ink as stated above ) The artist will use a good quality stencil paper and ink from a supply shop to adhere the design to your skin. It will take a few minutes to dry. While waiting, get comfortable because as soon as it is dry the artist will want to start the "black work" or the outline.The worst thing for yourself and your artist is someone who moves, squirming and sudden movements can and will ruin your tattoo and possibly hurt you and the artist. After the outline is finished, take a break, when your back it is time for color and shading. ( when doing tattoos, most good artists will use a type of numbing gel, not only does it take a little feeling of the needle away, it also keeps your skin nice and workable and doesn't dry out the ink just placed.Through the process, the artist will use good quality, very soft, disposable towels to pat off any excess ink or blood if you happen to be a bleeder.( and PLEASE REMEMBER...Once a tattoo is started you just cant stop and undo it,the BIGGEST STEP in getting ink work done is MAKING SURE you are READY for a tattoo and that the tattoo work that is being done is PERMANENT...so you better have made up your mind 100% on the tattoo design )
************************************************************
THE NEXT DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Times and techniques that have been used over time are always changing and evolving with the creation and use of better ink. If one of the most premium inks was used, you will not have a cover over your tattoo and you will not want to put one on it. ( Some people still do cover the tattoos with non-stick gauze pads, the technique I use and my artist ( plus the entire studio ) uses is to NEVER cover the tattoo with a band aid or gauze. We believe with premium ink ( yes, its a bit more out of the studios pocket but it is worth it-the cost of premium ink is NEVER , EVER passed on to the customers! Once your awake, it will hurt just a little and depending on the area, feel like it is pulling your skin. A little redness and swelling for the first few days is very normal.This actually means the artist went deep enough for the beauty to last a long time and the artist is very proud of your new tattoo. NEVER, EVER , EVER, LET IT DRY OUT COMPLETELY OR PULL ANY SKIN OFF OR SCRATCH IT ( EVEN THOUGH YES.IT WILL PROBABLY ITCH ) THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO DESTROY A NICE TATTOO!! YOU WILL WANT TO GENTLY WASH THE AREA BY USING YOUR HAND AND A ANTIBIOTIC SOAP ( I PREFER THE BATH AND BODY FOAMING ANTIBIOTIC SOAPS ) BUT YOU CAN USE ANY BRAND AS LONG AS IT IS GENTLE AND NOT A SCRUBBING TYPE. UNSCENTED IS THE BEST ( EVEN THOUGH I PERSONALLY USE SCENTED FOAM) REGULAR SOAP WILL WORK, PUMP - BAR - EVEN DISH SOAP ! MAKE SURE YOU MASSAGE THE SOAP ON AND AROUND THE AREA BY USING YOUR HAND ( A WASHCLOTH WILL BE TOO ROUGH AND COULD DAMAGE YOUR TATTOO ) AND RINSE THE AREA WELL,NEVER LEAVE ANY SOAP RESIDUE BEHIND. PAT THE AREA DRY WITH THE SOFTEST CLOTH ( DISPOSABLE OR NON - DISPOSABLE, YOUR CHOICE ) NEVER RUB IT DRY, PAT OR DAB JUST AS YOU FELT YOUR ARTIST DOING. ( I PERSONALLY USE VIVA MEGA ROLL PAPER TOWELS BECAUSE THEY ARE SUPER SOFT AND DISPOSABLE, WHICH IS MY CHOICE ) NOW IT IS TIME TO PUT ON AN EMOLLIENT OR "CREAM" SO YOUR NEW TAT WILL NOT DRY OUT. MOST PEOPLE USE A&D OR ITS EQUIVALENT IN GENERIC OR NEOSPORIN. I HAVE EVEN HAD SOME SWEAR BY GOOD OLD VASELINE ( PLAIN WHITE PETROLEUM JELLY ). I USE NONE OF THOSE PRODUCTS NOW, TEN YEARS AGO I USED THE GENERIC EQUIVALENT OF A&D OINTMENT , BUT I HAVE FOUND MY ON TECHNIQUE.
( IF USING A&D OR WHAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS USED OR BEEN TOLD TO USE IT ON A TATTOO, THE REST WILL NOT PERTAIN TO YOU, LISTEN TO YOUR ARTIST BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT BRAND OF INK WAS USED.IF A DISCOUNTED INK WAS USED, I HAVE NO WAT TO TELL UNLESS YOU ACTUALLY ASK WHAT BRAND THEY USE AND THEY ARE HONEST OR YOU SEE THEIR BOTTLES IN THEIR COLOR KIT YOURSELF ) ITS A LITTLE BIT COSTLY, MY TECHNIQUE IS AROUND $50.00 and A LARGE TUBE OF STORE BRAND A&D OINTMENT IS AROUND $3.50 OR LESS. MANY PEOPLE USE DOLLAR STORE EQUIVALENTS OF NAME BRAND A&D..YES IT IS REALLY THE SAME, YOUR JUST PAYING FOR THE NAME ON A FANCIER PACKAGE ! ) IT SPEEDS UP YOUR HEALING TIME AND HELPS RENEW COLOR ON OLDER TATTOOS TO MAKE THEM LOOK AS CLOSE AS NEW AS THEY CAN LOOK, DEPENDING ON THE CONDITION OF THE COLOR BEFORE TRYING MY METHOD, IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY TO INVEST INTO YOURSELF. THE FIRST DAT AFTER WASHING AND PATTING DRY THE AREA I APPLY A LIBERAL AMOUNT OF " STAPH-A-SEPTIC " DON'T BE AFRAID TO USE THE BOTTLE UP IN 2 DAYS. IT ONLY GOES ON MY NEW TATTOOS.AT NIGHT, I USE AVEENO BABY DIAPER RASH CREAM OR A PRODUCT IN THE SAME AISLE/AREA CALLED "BUTT PASTE". I DO NOT USE ANYTHING THAT CONTAINS WHITE PETROLEUM JELLY OR PLAIN LANOLIN ANYMORE, BUT MANY PEOPLE STILL DO. THIS IS JUST MY METHOD AND BELIEF. DO THIS PROCESS 3 TIMES DAILY FOR 3 TO 4 DAYS. ( BY NOW YOU SHOULD BE OUT OF "STAPH-A-SEPTIC" AND READY TO MOVE ON , IF YOUR FOLLOWING MY AFTERCARE TECHNIQUE, TO THE ORIGINAL TIN OF " TATTOOGOO ", THE "TATTOO RENEU LOTION" AND STILL HAVE A HALF A TUBE OF DIAPER CREAM FOR AT NIGHT. WASH YOUR TATTOO AREA 3 TIMES A DAY STILL WITH A GENTLE, ANTIBIOTIC SOAP, PAT DRY, THEN - IN CIRCULAR MOTIONS-GENTLY USE A LITTLE TATTOO RENUE LOTION ( A LITTLE GOES A VERY LONG WAY WITH THIS BRAND ) ONCE THE LOTION IS SOAKED IN YOUR SKIN, ADD A THIN LAYER OF TATTOOGOO ( IT WILL BE IN A METAL JAR AND YES, IN THE JAR IT IS SUPPOSED TO LOOK A GROSS COLOR OF GREEN)RUB A LITTLE OF THE TATTOOGOO ON YOUR NEW TATTOO AND IF YOU HAVE ANY OLD ONES , AGAIN IN A CIRCULAR MOTION. IT WILL NOT SOAK INTO YOUR SKIN, BUT PLEASE ALWAYS REAPPLY IT IF YOUR TATTOO THAT IS STILL HEALING IS STARTING TO FEEL DRY. USE THE REST OF YOUR "AVEENO DIAPER CREAM" OR "BUTT PASTE DIAPER CREAM " AT NIGHT BEFORE BED, PUT ON A THICK LAYER..IT WILL COVER YOUR NEW TATTOO BUT KEEP IT SAFE WHILE SLEEPING AND IT IS HEALING. AS THE HEALING PROCESS TAKES PLACE, NEVER WEAR ANYTHING THAT IS NOT LOOSE DIRECTLY ON IT AND IF YOU HAVE TO WEAR TIGHT FITTING OR FORM FITTING FABRICS, EVEN WORK CLOTHES, PLACE A PIECE OF SOFT AVIVA TOWEL ON IT AND MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THE WAKE UP STEPS BUT COVER THE HEALING TATTOO WITH THE HEAVY DIAPER CREAM. THE TOWEL WILL STICK TO THE HEAVY DIAPER CREAM, NOT YOUR TATTOO, AND IT WILL KEEP YOUR TATTOO FROM BEING RUINED BY ROUGH CLOTHING.
************************************************************************ I DO WANT TO ADD THAT A GOOD LOTION , THAT IS VERY EASY TO FIND AND CHEAPER FOR THE SIZE OF THE BOTTLE ( COMPARED TO "TATTOO RENEU" IS BATH AND BODY WORKS ORIGINAL CLASSICS " LAVENDER BODY LOTION "...DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF YOUR TATTOO (S) , YOU MAY BE BETTER OFF IN INVESTING IN A BOTTLE. MANY TIMES THEY HAVE BUY 1 GET ONE FREE SALES, WHERE YOU CAN GET A GOOD GENTLE LAVENDER BODY SOAP TO CLEAN DURING THE HEALING PROCESS AND THISLOTION CAN BE USED
WITH YOUR CHOICE OF SALVE, EVEN IF YOU GO WITH THE OLD TIME WHITE PETROLEUM JELLY OR A&D OINTMENT, TO CUT YOUR HEALING TIME IN HALF!! ( YES, THIS HAS BEEN TESTED AND WAS COMPLETLY ACCURATE 29 OUT OF 30 TIMES !!!! ) IT CAN ALSO BE USED FOR YEARS TO COME TO KEEP ALL YOUR INK LOOKING REFRESHED AND NEW. THE LAVENDER ESSENCE IN THE LOTON WORKS WONDERS ON KEEPING BOTH COLORS AND BLACK CRISP , BRIGHT, AND UN - FADED. FOR GUYS, YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO GO INTO THE STORE, SIMPLY GO TO :
WWW.BATHANDBODYWORKS.COM
YOU CAN ORDER ON LINE OR BY PHONE ( A PLUS IS THEY ARE OPEN UNTIL 2AM EASTERN TIME! ) BY PHONE OR ONLINE, MANY TIMES THEY GO THRU UNADVERTISED CODES AND GIVE YOU THE CHEAPEST DEAL THEY CAN FIND. BUY ONE GET ONE FREE, FREE SHIPPING, OR EVEN 25 TO 40 PERCENT OFF YOUR TOTAL ORDER, NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE COST.
I JUST WANTED TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE THE COMPANY USES NO LANOLIN OR PETROLEUM AND THEIR PLAIN LAVENDER BODY LOTION IS ONE OF THE BEST LOTIONS FOR TATTOOS ( EVEN THOUGH IT IS NEVER SOLD AS OR ADVERTISED AS ONE OF THE TATTOO FANATICS BEST FRIENDS, ALONG WITH THEIR LAVENDER BODY SOAP. ( AGAIN, IF YOU DO NOT USE LAVENDAR, THE BEST IS ALWAYS SIMPLE DOLLAR STORE OR DISCOUNT STORE UNSCENTED ANTIBACTERIAL PUMP GEL HAND SOAP )***************************************************************
*5 day old tattoo, using my aftercare technique...
* Sorry for the bad lighting, but this is a 10 year old skeleton and name, with 5 day old flames and numbers ( FLAMES & NUMBERS ARE STILL IN THE HEALING PROCESS ).
* again poor lighting ( and when your taking photos by yourself of yourself it is very difficult.This was completely done in 1994 ) all the colors are very vivid in person, along with skeleton above !!
* poor lighting, but this was done in 1996 and if you see it in person, it still looks fresh and brand new!
NOW WE ARE GOING TO THE TRADITIONAL WAY TATTOO ARTISTS TAUGHT AFTERCARE, the CHEAPEST METHOD ( under $8.00 and you should be healed in a month or a little longer. This technique is still widely used today across the world, even in the most pristine studios where the "stars" get their tattoos done )
* Standard, non-sticking gauze pad still widely used by artists for aftercare. 
* very cost effective way some still use to protect new tattoos from the elements..WHITE PETROLEUM JELLY , Brand Name : Vaseline
*Brand name Neosporin, store brands generally cost under $1.50
* A general type of antibacterial soap used to clean your new tattoo at least 3 times a day.
***THE TATTOO TRADITIONAL AFTERCARE. A VERY LARGE, $3.00 TUBE OF STORE BRAND A&D OINTMENT.
THIS HAS BEEN USED BY THE RICH, THE POOR, THE FAMOUS,and just about ANYONE WHO HAS EVER HAD A TATTOO !!
MY PERSONAL TECHNIQUE FOR TATTOO AFTERCARE
**THIS IS THE FIRST TIME BEING SHARED OUTSIDE OF MY SMALL STUDIO OF FRIENDS****
** ANOTHER TYPE OF ANTIBIOTIC SOAP.THIS JUST HAPPENS TO BE MY FAVORITE BRAND. BATH and BODY WORKS FOAMING GENTLE ANTIBIOTIC HAND SOAP.UNFORTUNATELY IT DOES NOT COME UNSCENTED IN THIS BRAND, BUT THAT IS ONE RULE I AM WILLING TO BREAK ( FOR MY PERSONAL CHOICE, UNSCENTED OR LAVENDER IS THE BEST TO USE AND SCENTED SOAP PRODUCTS COULD CAUSE ALLERGIES THAT YOU ARE UNAWARE OF AND/OR DID NOT HAVE PREVIOUSLY - THIS IS A NEW ALLERGY THAT CAN BE BROUGHT ON BY THE INK, SOMETIMES JUST BY A CERTAIN COLOR, USUALLY RED, AND BY THE TYPE AND QUALITY OF INK THAT WAS PURCHASED AND USED BY THE ARTIST. REMEMBER, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND THEIR BODIES WILL REACT DIFFERENTLY TO NEW PRODUCTS BEING INTRODUCED TO THEM ). YOU CAN PURCHASE CHEAPER PUMP ANTIBACTERIAL HAND SOAPS, EVEN THE FOAMING KIND, AT WALMART TYPE " MEGA DISCOUNT " STORES AND DOLLAR GENERAL TYPE STORES. SOME ARE EVEN MADE THAT WORK BETTER THAN WHAT I PREFER. LAVENDER PUMP SOAP. LAVENDER IS A VERY EXCELLENT HERB OR "FLOWER" USED TO MAKE SKIN BABY SOFT AND PLIABLE. LAVENDER SOAPS ALSO HELP SPEED UP THE HEALING PROCESS. THE BEST I HAVE EVER FOUND AND USED WAS THE DOLLAR GENERAL BRAND LAVENDER GEL PUMP HAND SOAP FOR UNDER $1.50 !!
** THIS IS "STAPH-A-SEPTIC". YES, IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE FOR A SMALL TUBE. USED FOR THE FIRST 2 DAYS OF A NEW TATTOO'S LIFE. I USE HALF THE FIRST DAY AND HALF THE SECOND. JUST SO YOU KNOW IT USUALLY COSTS BETWEEN $16 AND $20 DOLLARS!
I WAS GOING TO ADD A PHOTO, BUT WE ALL KNOW WHAT PAPER TOWELS LOOK LIKE. REMEMBER TO BLOT OR "DAB"DRY, NEVER RUB.ANY TOWEL OR WASHCLOTH WILL WORK, I JUST USE VIVA MEGA ROLL, AROUND $2.75 , BECAUSE OF THEIR DURABILITY AND UNBELIEVABLE SOFTNESS.THIS TOWEL ONLY COMES IN A PACKAGE OF ONE ( VIVA DOES MAKE DIFFERENT TYPES AND TEXTURES OF PAPER TOWELS, THESE I DO NOT RECOMMEND.)
** MY PREFERRED "ARMY OF HEALING" NEW TATTOOS**
PLEASE READ THE PARAGRAPHS ABOVE TO LEARN THE STEPS USING THESE PRODUCTS !!
PLEASE NOTE : THERE ARE OTHER PRODUCTS THAT ARE LIKE " TATTOOGOO" AND THE "TATTOOGOO" PRODUCT LINE. SOME MAY WORK BETTER, SOME MAY NOT.
"TATTOOGOO" PRODUCTS ARE JUST MY PRODUCT OF CHOICE, LOOK INTO AFTERCARE AND CHOOSE A PRODUCT LINE THAT YOU WANT TO TRY , JUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT ALLERGIC TO ANY INGREDIENTS AND STAY AWAY FROM WHITE PETROLEUM IF USING MY AFTERCARE REGIMENT.
**A good link to get you started to find an aftercare product if using my regiment and trying something different than the " TRADITIONAL AFTERCARE " ( be sure to go to "MEDICAL" , then click " aftercare" or " TATTOO AFTERCARE " :
THE COMPANY ABOVE WILL TREAT YOU RIGHT, HAVE FAIR PRICES AND SOME OF THE BEST AFTERCARE CHOICES AROUND.
I DO NOT WORK FOR THEM OR GET PAID TO GET THEIR NAME OUT THERE. IT IS JUST THE COMPANY I , AND OTHER ARTISTS I KNOW, USE TO SAVE A BIT OF CASH. ( YES, UNFORTUNATELY WE ALL HAVE TO WATCH OUR SPENDING THESE DAYS, LIKE THEY SAY " MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES" )
