DO'S & DO NOT'S FOR THE CARE
OF YOUR NEW TATTOO

DO NOT'S

After removing your original bandage, DO NOT RE-BANDAGE.

DO NOT apply Vaseline or petroleum products; alcohol, peroxide, aloe vera, vitamin E products; or any other products not mentioned in the DO's below.

DO NOT listen to your friends for after care instructions. We don't care if they are tattooed from head-to-toe, PATRIOT TATTOO did your tattoo and PATRIOT TATTOO is who you should call if you have ANY problem or questions.

PATRIOT TATTOO (619) 464-DRAW (3729)

DO NOT swim in a pool or ocean, soak in a tub or otherwise immerse your body in water for two weeks after getting your tattoo. Showers are fine.

As your tattoo heals, it will itch just as a scab does. The healing process causes the itchy feeling. DO NOT SCRATCH OR PICK AT YOUR TATTOO. You will end up picking of bits off color.

DO NOT expose your tattoo to direct sunlight for two weeks. After it has fully healed it is advisable to put a high SPF sun block on it when you're going to be exposed to the sun. The sun WILL fade your tattoo over time if you do not protect it.

DO'S

The life of your tattoo is dependent on the care it receives in the first few days. First, keep the bandage on for at least 6 hours. Remove the bandage and wash thoroughly with mild soap and water. Be sure to remove all surface blood and pad dry.

For the first three days after removing the bandage, with clean hands, apply a small amount of Neosporin or Bacitracin antibiotic ointment twice a day. These ointments can be purchased at drug or grocery stores. If you have problems locating either ointment, call PATRIOT TATTOO. Take the smallest amount possible on your fingertips, rub it into the tattoo like a lotion and wipe off the excess ointment. This is completely different than the amount that your tattoo artist applied immediately after the tattoo was finished. Your skin will absorb whatever it needs. If your tattoo appears greasy, you have used too much. After this initial period using the ointment, stop applying anything to your tattoo.

When your tattoo is five days old, it will begin to develop a layer of dry skin, similar to a bad sunburn. Small scabs may also develop. The skin that peels off will be the same color as your tattoo-DON"T WORRY; you're not losing your tattoo. This is normal.

When your reach this stage, apply an unscented lotion to your tattoo to keep if from drying out. To clarify, you DO NOT want your tattoo to be moist. This will do more harm than good. Simply apply enough so that it is not dried out. That's it.

REMEMBER THAT THE TATTOO IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AFTER YOU LEAVE THE STUDIO. PLEASE USE COMMON SENSE. ENJOY YOUR NEW TATTOO!!