Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
Urban Element Tattoo, LLC.
1445 S. Broadway, Denver, CO (720) 519-1015
How to care for your new tattoo
Your tattoo is basically an area of tiny skin breaks caused by the penetration of needles carrying ink into your skin. It is important you keep wearing the sterile dressing applied by your tattooist for at least an hour after it is applied. This should provide time for the tattoo to stop weeping.
Once you remove the dressing, wash the tattoo gently with warm water and pat it dry with a clean paper towel - try to avoid using cloth towels, and do not use towels other people have used.
After washing and drying your tattoo, apply an unscented skin cream to stop the skin drying out, and to provide an infection barrier and reduce scabbing. Aquaphor and Vasoline are recommended for the first 3-4 days. Use only enough to make the tattoo look shiny. Do not apply a thick layer. You can shift to non-scented lotion after day 3-4.
Aim to wash the area and apply the cream approximately 2-3 times a day for the first few days. Cream should be applied 2 to 3 times a day until your tattoo is fully healed.
Everyone heals at different rates and times depend on may factors. However, most dry skin should disappear within 2 weeks. During the next stage, the tattoo will be covered in a "silver" skin that will last for about a week. Your new tatto should be completely healed within 4 to 5 weeks.
General tips for aftercare of tattoo
DO NOT pick your tattoo, as this will increase the healing time and will affect the tattoo quality.
Avoid swimming, sun bathing, and sun-beds until your tattoo has a healed layer of skin over it (generally 2 weeks). Sunlight, chlorine, open water (lakes, ocean, etc.), and water-based bacteria can cause irritation or inflammation of your skin and/or lead to infection.
Where possible, minimize the amount of rubbing from clothing by wearing loose fitting clothes around the area of the tattoo.
Keep your new tattoo covered if working in a dirty or dusty environment (cover with plastic wrap, remove when done and wash the tattoo with unscented antibacterial soap)
CONSULT A PHYSICIAN AT FIRST SIGN OF AN ADVERSE REACTION (i.e., swelling, infection, illness, allergic reaction or disease)
Outside of the normal limits of healing and concerns that your body art has resulted in complication, infection, or disease should be reported to:
Denver Department of Environment Health Public Health Inspection-Body Art
201 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80204
(720) 913-1311
You may also report to your artist any concerns about complications, infections, or disease. The rules and regulations governing body art establishments and body artists require that the body artist report these conditions to the department within 24 hours of discovery.