Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
If you were bandaged with Saniderm, scroll down for instructions specific to that aftercare.
The following aftercare applies to anybody tattooed at Primal Prodigy Collective by either Cody Templeton or Honesty Templeton.
Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo! When you get home: Remove bandage within 1 - 2 hours after getting your tattoo. Do not re-bandage. Your tattoo needs to breathe, just like any open wound.
Wash your tattoo with an anti-bacterial liquid soap (Dial Gold barsoap or handsoap is recommended). Be gentle, do not use a washcloth or anything that will exfoliate your tattoo. Only use your hands.
Gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub, or use a fabric with a rough surface.
The first 3-4 days: Rub a small amount of ointment on your tattoo. You may use Mad Rabbit Repair, Aquaphor, or an unscented lotion (with no alcohol) or any other ointment specific to tattoo aftercare – whatever you know you’re not allergic to.
Always use clean hands and do not place your fingers back into the ointment after touching your tattoo. Make sure to rub the ointment in like you would with lotion, so that it is just has a light shine - you want the thinnest amount possible to avoid suffocating the tattoo. Pat off any excess ointment with a clean paper towel.
DO NOT use Vaseline, petroleum jelly, Neosporin, or Bag Balm. Wash, dry and apply ointment 2-3 times daily, as needed. If anybody tries to tell you otherwise, ignore them, they're wrong.
On the first night, you may want to wrap your tattoo in saran wrap to prevent sticking to your bedding. Do not use any cloth bandages or pads, as the fibers of this material can adhere to your open tattoo and hinder the healing process. DO NOT rewrap the tattoo again after the first night.
Wear clean, soft clothing over your tattoo for the first 2 weeks– nothing abrasive or irritating. For a foot tattoo: go barefoot as much as possible. If you must wear shoes, first wrap your clean tattoo in saran wrap, then cover with a clean cotton sock before putting on your shoe. Avoid sandals or flip-flops for this period to prevent chafing and damage to the tattoo.
After day 3 or 4: On the 3rd or 4th day your tattoo will typically begin to peel. This is normal! Do not pick at the skin. Begin using a mild, unscented lotion, free of dyes or Perfumes (Curel is recommended). Apply daily.
***Things to Avoid***
·If you have pets, keep your tattoo away from them while it heals. Pet dander can cause irritation or infection.
·Do not pick, scratch, peel or rub your tattoo while healing.
·You can shower, but you may not soak or submerge your tattoo for 2 weeks. No swimming, soaking or hot tub.
·You may not expose your tattoo to the sun for at least 3 weeks, after that use sun block for the longevity of the tattoo.
·Do not wear abrasive materials, jewelry, or shoes that rub against your tattoo.
·Do not let anyone touch your tattoo during the healing process. ·Beware of gym equipment; wash it well before using it. You Can Also: ·Ice your tattoo to reduce swelling.
·Elevate your tattoo, to reduce swelling. Take short showers.
Saniderm-specific Aftercare Instructions
If you were bandaged with Saniderm (It's a clear plastic adhesive, breathable bandage) Instructions are a bit more simple. As long as you do not have allergies to adhesives like band-aids, This is the best option for healing in most cases.
There may be some excess ink/plasma inside the bandage, this is completely normal, as it uses your body's natural healing enzymes to heal your tattoo faster. Do not let this freak you out, resulting in removing the bandage early.
Your Saniderm should remain on for 3-4 days, it will take all of the guesswork out of the most crucial part of the healing process; The first week. Saniderm will prevent your clothes/shoes/socks from rubbing on a freshly applied tattoo, so the recommended time to leave it on would be the mentioned 3-4 days.
On the third or fourth day, whenever your ready to peel off the bandage:
Take it off in the shower: While in the shower, with water running on it lightly, peel up a corner of the Saniderm and pull off slowly until removed. Wash thoroughly with antibacterial soap (dial gold is recommended; Both bottled and bar form are safe), but with wash gently and with caution, to remove any excess ink or adhesive present on the skin.
Blot with a paper towel (wash rags and towels can harbor bacteria), then apply Mad Rabbit Repair or lotion of your choice, just as long as it's unscented. We recommend Lubriderm (with the blue cap, avoid red cap Lubriderm). Make sure to always wash with anti-bacterial soap before applying lotion or Mad Rabbit Repair.
DO NOT use Vaseline, petroleum jelly, Neosporin, or Bag Balm. Wash, dry and apply ointment 2-3 times daily, as needed. If anybody tries to tell you otherwise, ignore them, they're wrong.
Wear clean, soft clothing over your tattoo for the first 2 weeks– nothing abrasive or irritating. For a foot tattoo: go barefoot as much as possible.
***Things to Avoid***
·If you have pets, keep your tattoo away from them while it heals. Pet dander can cause irritation.
·Do not pick, scratch, peel or rub your tattoo while healing.
·You can shower, but you may not soak or submerge your tattoo for 2 weeks. No swimming, soaking or hot tub.
·You may not expose your tattoo to the sun for at least 3 weeks, after that use sun block for the longevity of the tattoo.
·Do not wear abrasive materials, jewelry, or shoes that rub against your tattoo.
·Do not let anyone touch your tattoo during the healing process. ·Beware of gym equipment; wash it well before using it. You Can Also: ·Ice your tattoo to reduce swelling.
·Elevate your tattoo, to reduce swelling. Take short showers.
If your tattoo is possibly infected:
Seek medical attention immediately with your preferred doctor or emergency room.
To contact the Oklahoma Health Department:
Consumer Health Service – Attn: Tattoo
Oklahoma State Dept of Health
P.O. Box 268815,
Oklahoma City, OK 73126