TATTOO AFTERCARE

So you have spent weeks if not months deciding what tattoo you wanted, then researched your tattoo artist, to walk out and not look after your tattoo would be sacrilege…The healing of your tattoo is the final aspect of your art piece. There are so many opinions and advice out there with more experts than tattoos.

So why use SheaCare100…. Because it is naturally enriched with Vitamin A & E, provides instant moisture to the cellular level, has a multi-purpose use, not only as a lubricant for the tattooist while working on your tattoo but for you to use as aftercare… click here for more reasons besides the ones below on how to use SheaCare100 “21Reasons”.

• It's FREE from SLS and Parabens

• All Natural Un-refined Organic product

• Naturally contains Vitamin A & E aiding your bodies natural healing process

• Soaks into the skin to heal underneath and prevent excess scabbing

• Doesn’t heal too quick nor too slow, but heals just right

• Doesn’t stick to your clothes like other tattoo aftercare

• SheaCare100 aids your bodies natural healing abilities to lock the ink in at the cellular level completely keeping bright colours

A tattoo normally takes anywhere from 7 to 14 days to look fully healed, depending on the type, style, size and placement. What most people forget is that actually, it can really take up to a month for a tattoo to be fully healed below the surface of the skin

Using SheaCare100 can make all the difference but there really is no “idiot proof” method, but if you take the time to read the following, you will stand a much better chance of healing your tattoo without any problems to ensure that it looks as good as possible now and in many years to come.

Long-Term Aftercare:

Long-term aftercare is just as important as short-term. The more you care about how you treat your skin, the longer your tattoo will uphold its sheen.

Your tattoos will lighten up after they have fully healed. That’s normal as the layers of skin are growing back over the ink and accepting it within your skin. But to keep a solid colouring, always make sure to put on sunscreen when going outside, especially in the summer. SPF 45 or higher and sunscreen for children are always great at protecting your skin and several tattoo aftercare brands make sun blocks designed for tattoos.

Always keep your tattoos moisturized, especially in areas prone to fading like hands, feet, elbows, etc. This will help keep the tattoo intact longer and less prone to fading over the years.

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO

OPEN WOUND:

Remember you have an open wound, and while it’s a good-looking wound, it’s still a wound and you need to treat it as such.

CLING FILM:

Keep your bandage on for 1hours. Your tattoo will continue to seep bodily fluids for an hour or two depending on the size and location. During this time period is critical and your tattoo needs to be protected, but it’s not uncommon to hear 6 or 8 hours.

First, wash your hands before removing your bandage, think of all of the things that you have touched and who and what has touched that object. Kids and animals are HOTBEDS for germs, disease and bacteria. It’s very easy to transfer some serious bug from a handle, switch, etc. to your nice new tattoo. (Which, don’t forget, is a nice open wound with direct access to your blood supply.)

WASHING:

When removing your bandage/cling film, clean it off using a mild unscented soap (SheaCare200), ensure you are only using your clean hand to do the washing, If you have to use a soft washcloth, make sure that you just let it air dry only. Many artists actually recommend at the end of showering or washing that you use cold water or dripping cold compress on the tattoo for a minute or so to close the pores as much as possible thus effectively sealing it.

If you are washing in the shower, make sure that you are using lukewarm water and not hot, let the water hit above it and run off for a short period of time. The idea is to get in and get out.

Once the washing is complete, let it air dry. Now it’s time to show off your masterpiece. Allow your tattoo to remain dry for a while exposed to the air. This will help the healing process. Only wash with a mild unscented soap (see our mild shea butter soaps), maximum once a day as over cleaning is worse than under cleaning.

Your objective is to moisturize your skin and keep it clean. Take a small amount of SheaCare100 in the palm of your hand till it melts into oil then gently rub it gently, which will give your tattoo sheen to it, meaning a very thin coat!! Do this only when needed, meaning when your tattoo starts to dry out of getting itchy.

WORKPLACE:

If you are in a working environment that risks contact with harmful chemicals, a germ-filled situation, or just things coming in constant contact with your tattoo, loose-fitting clothes can be your best friends. If that isn’t possible, then a loose bandage, put on at the last moment and removed at the earliest possible moment may be the last ditch option. If you do have to take this route, make sure that you wash the tattoo after removing the bandage, let air out to dry for a little while and re-applying

SUN:

If you must expose your tattoos then to prevent the damaging UV rays, then get the strongest SPF sunblock that you can find and keep it handy (minimum of 30 SPF).

INFECTION:

Keeping your tattoo clean and following the previous advice, but that being said you can do everything right and still get an infection. If you are unsure or in doubt about having some sort of problem, be sure to contact your tattoo artist right away, if they feel it is infected they will advise you to go to the doctors.

THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T TO DO

CLINGFILM:

Don’t take off your bandage off to show your friends right away, this is a bad idea. Resist the temptation and wait. Your tattoo will continue to seep bodily fluid

Don’t leave your bandage on too long or if the tattooist used an improper bandage and it is stuck to your skin, DO NOT pull it off. Get in the shower and soak it off with cool or lukewarm water. Doing this will minimize any damage to the skin and the tattoo itself.

WASHING:

Don’t use heat and/or steam will open the pores and can leach out some of the colourings of your tattoo and cause an uneven or blotchy end product, it's also much easier for germs to get into your skin. DO NOT let the water beat on your new tattoo whilst showering

NO scrubbing with anything when washing your tattoo.

NO soaking in the tub

SOCIALISING:

Don’t go leaning on things with your new tattoo. Many folks are out for an evening of fun, but restaurants, bars, tables and walls are all full of dangers! Your new tattoo shouldn’t come into contact with anything. No strenuous activities and contact sports would be another example of things to avoid for your initial healing time. Excessive sweating, saunas, steam baths, and gym workouts all need to take a back seat initial healing time.

CLOTHING:

Clothing can be a big factor in your healing process. Depending on where you get your tattoo, you will need to wear loose-fitting clothes. Ladies, you are the major offender of this problem. Remember your tattoo needs to breathe! Tight fitting clothes keep that from happening. There is another issue: If your tattoo is forming a light scab and you have some tight fitting clothes rubbing on it, this can cause problems in the healing. It can cause scarring and/or light spots in the tattoo. Bikini lines and bra strap areas are prime examples of this. Foot tattoos are another example, ladies. You will need to go shoeless for close to a week. Socks, shoes, and boots are breeding ground for bacteria, and rubbing is a big issue as well.

DON’T PICK SCABS:

Over the next couple of days, your tattoo will look good and any redness should go away. Then you will notice that it will start to look duller and can even form a little white haze to it. This happens typically to larger or solid colour or tribal pieces. You may see some scabbing form as well. This is all normal. Heavy scabbing is not normal and needs to be watched closely. One of the most important things to remember…. DO NOT pick at any scabbing EVER !! It doesn’t matter how small or little it is, let it fall off over time and/or during the gentle cleaning process. Picking can SCAR your skin and ruin the tattoo or at the very least, cause light spots that will have to be touched up.

THE SUN: 

Avoid the sun like the plague during your healing process as it will damage the skin further and can cause all sorts of problems from scaring your tattoo to lightening it up, uneven healing etc.
Those of who love to use tanning beds DON’T DO IT!!!

Good Luck & if you have any questions please call

INFECTION: 

Don’t ignore any signs of infection see your Doctor straight away for a diagnosis and/or medication.