Tattoo After Care

Please read and follow these important instructions carefully.
Wolfsbane Tattoo Apothecary

  • Please Read Carefully

    The most critical stage in the healing process starts immediately upon completion of your tattoo, so please take time to read through the instructions and ask any questions you may have before you leave. It is essential that you follow these instructions carefully, as the biggest factor in how quickly and healthy your tattoo heals, is you. Occasionally, a tattoo may lose some colour or experience some fading or scabbing during the healing process if the tattoo is not cared for properly. Any defects in colour or line work due to improper aftercare is not included in your original fee, and you will be charged to retouch the work. Our artists are extremely experienced and can easily identify an improperly healed tattoo from any trauma that might occur during the healing process.

  • Cleaning

    Always follow your Tattoo Artist’s care instructions! Once any bandaging is removed, start with clean hands, gently wash your tattoo with Tattoo Soap™ by Wolfsbane Tattoo Apothecary or an unscented mild soap and warm water. Make sure to create a good lather with soap: removing excess blood, ink, plasma, foreign matter. Rinse the Tattoo thoroughly under running warm water. Using a clean and dry towel, pat the Tattoo dry after washing, then using a hair dryer set on cool, blow dry the tattoo for 5 minutes. Do not re-bandage the Tattoo, unless otherwise instructed by your artist. Clean the Tattoo with the above procedure 2- 3 times per day for the next 2 weeks.

  • Apply Lotion

    After 2-4 days gently apply a thin layer of non-fragrant lotion. Always remember a Tattoo needs to breathe to heal. Do not lotion the tattoo immediately after washing, allow tattoo 2-3 hours to dry out to ensure over moisturizing does not occur.

  • Wear Loose Clothing

    Loose fitting clothing is essential to avoid any kind of abrasion on your healing tattoo.

  • Do Not Pick or Scratch

    Never pick or scratch a tattoo, it itches because it is healing. Lightly tap your tattoo if itching occurs.

  • Do Not Soak

    Never soak your tattoo, as too much moisture can cause the ink to fall out. Do not sauna, swim, hot tub, tan, steam, or sun bath until your tattoo has flaked off and the skin is back to its original form.

  • Tattoos Should Not Scab

    Tattoos should Not scab. It should dry out and flake off, looking like tissue paper or flakey pastry. Scabbing is a sign of over moisturizing and your artist should be notified as well as discontinuing the use of lotion.

Do:

Remove the bandage under warm running water after the suggested length of time by your Tattoo Artist. If bandage is stuck to the tattoo, gently remove it while under running water, therefore reducing the risk of damaging the tattoo.

Once bandage is removed, using Tattoo Soap™ by Wolfsbane Tattoo Apothecary or an unscented mild soap and water, wash the tattoo. Be sure to clean all the dried blood, lymph and, body fluids off the tattoo, it’s very important to the healing process that the tattoo is cleaned thoroughly. Although it’s a little painful IT MUST BE DONE.

When done washing off the tattoo, gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean towel and allow the tattoo to air dry for at least an hour.

Never moisturize tattoo immediately after washing or getting the tattoo wet, as this will cause excess scabbing. You should wait at least one hour however three hours is better.

Once dry, apply a VERY THIN amount of unscented dry skin lotion to the tattoo, apply it 1-3 times a day, make sure you completely rub in the cream, do not leave it moist. Remember less is best when healing a tattoo. Don’t think that if you apply cream more often it will heal quicker, if anything, you will be left with a huge scab and a faded tattoo. The lotion can be applied to the tattoo about 1-3 times daily for about 10-14 days or until the tattoo is completely healed.

Somewhere between 3 and 6 days, the tattoo will start to flake like tissue paper. Do not pick at or scratch. Let the skin peel naturally. You will notice small pieces of dry skin containing colour coming off while using the lotion or washing the tattoo. This is normal – it is just the top layer of dead skin coming off. Your tattoo is not disappearing.

Do Not:

  • Re-bandage the tattoo once you have removed it.
  • Allow direct sunlight on tattoo for the first 2-3 weeks.
  • Pick or scratch tattoo while it is peeling.
  • Soak the tattoo for 2 weeks.
  • Swim, take a bath, or enter a hot tub or sauna for 2 weeks or until the tattoo is completely peeled.
  • Apply alcohol, vaseline, polysporen or sun block to a fresh tattoo.
  • Allow clothing or jewellery to rub on the tattoo

Extras

Once you have left the shop, proper care of your tattoo is your responsibility. Small amounts of colour may appear on clothing or sheets for the first few days. When the tattoo is peeling, colour will appear in pieces of dry skin. If the tattoo is in an area where it can be exposed to the air, allow it to breathe. Allowing the tattoo to breathe will help the healing. Your body and oxygen are going to heal the tattoo. If possible, wear loose fitting clothing over the tattoo and be careful not to suffocate the tattoo with socks or pantyhose.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your tattoo artist. Please follow our instructions only.