Tattoo Aftercare

Time and care has been put into creating your tattoo, that being said, some time and care will be needed to heal your tattoo. Follow these instructions closely to get the best results.

As you leave, your tattoo may be wrapped in cellophane. You should leave this applied for up to 6 hours or based on your artist’s recommendation, which could be a shorter or longer duration.

Your new tattoo needs to be washed 1-3 times per day based on your personal needs. One wash in the morning and one at night is the standard. If your tattoo weeps you may need an afternoon wash as well. When washing your tattoo be sure to gently wash away any old ointment and/or bodily fluids each time using only your clean fingertips and unscented, liquid antibacterial soap. We recommend Dial Antibacterial soap or Cetaphyl. After washing your tattoo let it air-dry for 10-15 minutes. This will prevent excess moisture from being trapped between the fresh healing ointment and the tattoo helping to avoid bubbling of the tattoo.

The healing process of your new tattoo is assisted with specific ointments. We recommend a few different products for this procedure, Aquaphor and AfterInked. Never apply more than a light sheen of ointment to your tattoo. Be sure to rub the salve in until it leaves just a light coating. Use paper towel to remove any excess. DO NOT apply more than 5 times per day including after washing.

You should follow this regiment for 3-5 days in which time you will then switch to a quality unscented and oatmeal free lotion such as Jergins Ultra Healing. For best results apply lotion on your tattoo daily for 6 months. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, chlorinated pools/hot tubs and sea water as this can severely affect the healing and quality of your tattoo.

Feel free to contact your artist with ANY questions at 989-448-8557 and thanks for choosing Paragon Ink!

Piercing Aftercare

For the Next 2-4 weeks you will need to clean your new piercing with liquid Anti-Bacterial Soap two times a day we recommend Dial Gold soap. Once when you get up in the morning, once before you go to bed at night. In between those washes we recommend you use H2Ocean sea salt spray, 2 to 3 times a day to keep the piercing clean and able to breathe.

During the next 2-4 weeks you will need to avoid the following:

• Hot tubs
• Pools
• Lakes
• Tanning beds
• Make up or Hair products coming in contact with your new piercing.

All of the above can cause infection in your new piercing. In the Case of an infection DO NOT remove the piercing. Fight the infection by washing with the liquid Anti-Bacterial Soap 3-4 times a day. After a week of this If you do not think the infection is getting any better come in to speak with our piercer, he will further help you mange the care of your piercing.

In order to let your new piercing properly heal, you will need to wait 3-6 months before changing the jewelry. Once the proper amount of time as passed if you need help changing your new piercing feel free to come back and speak with our piercer, he will be able to help you in the process of switching to new jewelry.

If at any point you catch your piercing on something and it bleeds, begin to clean and care for you piercing like it is brand new. Seeing blood means there is a tear and that tear can let bacteria back into your piercing which can cause infection.

Helpful Tips:

• When washing your new piercing use only your hands, Wash clothes or towels have loops that may grab your piercing and cause you to tear.
• ALWAYS wash your hand before touching your new piercing.
• Be careful when removing clothes, as to avoid Catching your piercing also to avoid tearing.

Laser Removal Aftercare

• For the next 24 hours: A cold compress and elevation are recommended to help reduce discomfort and inflammation.
• Avoid for the next 24 hours: Physical activity, hot showers and saunas.
• Apply for the next 3 days: Aquaphor, Neosporin, Polysporin or A&D Ointment with bandage.  Any of these ointments will work. Change the dressing daily.
• Avoid for the next 1-2 weeks: Direct sun exposure, hot tubs, pool water and salt water until tattoo is healed.
• Keep the treated area clean and dry while it is healing. Clean the area with antibacterial soap if needed and then pat the area dry. AVOID HIGH-PRESSURE WATER HITTING THE TREATED AREA.
• Some scabbing, blistering, light bleeding and itching may occur. Immediately after treatment, there may be erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) at the treatment site. This usually lasts 2 hours or longer. The erythema may last up to 10 days.
• Do not pop blisters. If you do blister, continue to apply one of the recommended ointments until the blister has popped naturally.
• Do not pick at the scab or allow the skin to become scraped, as this may result in infection and scarring. Shaving should be avoided in the treated area until it is completely healed
• You may notice that blistering may occur in some treatments and not others. If blistering does not occur, it does not mean that your most recent treatment was less aggressive or your treatment is not working. Sometimes your body will react, while other times it will not. Regardless, the treatment is working.
• You may take only Tylenol to help with discomfort. Please avoid aspirins, ibuprofens and naproxens because they may increase the risk of bruising and/or bleeding.
• Shaving should be avoided in the treated area until it is completely healed (5-10 days).
• Please apply sunscreen everyday to the treated area after the tattoo has completely healed (5-10 days), even if clothing covers the treated area. Sun will travel through your shirt or pants. The use of sunscreen everyday on the area will also help the ink absorb and help with itching.
• No active tan, self-tanner, bronzers or spray tan 4-6 weeks before and after treatment.
• Massage the treated area 5-10 minutes daily after treated area has healed (5-10 days). Daily massage will help ink absorb.
• Remember, not all tattoos will clear 100%. Your tattoo may just fade.
• Please call your primary care physician if an infection occurs.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.
• Remember: Drink lots of water!