Once you leave the shop it is in your best interest to properly care your tattoo. We currently use the surgical bandage or the lotion. Whichever method you chose, the general hygienic care of the tattoo is the same.

Change your bed sheets for clean ones and please don’t sleep with your pets. Dirty surfaces are breeding grounds for infections. It may help using an old bed set that you don’t mind getting stained because your fresh tattoo can excrete fluids for a few hours and the colors will not wash off. Wear clean clothes as well.

Keep it clean. No mud, dust or other substances that may negatively affect the healing process.

For the first two weeks do not expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight. This includes tanning beds. You can wear sun protecting clothes but do not apply sunblock before the healing is completed.

A regular shower is allowed, but be quick and do not use hot water. You don’t want to open your pores and washing off your ink. Do not submerge your tattoo until is completely healed. Beaches, saunas, baths or similar environments are forbidden.

Do not engage in physical activities and avoid sweating. Your tattoo is a delicate layer of pigment underneath living tissue which is your skin. The sweating may excrete some pigment out of your skin. Trauma and stretching will damage your tattoo.

Your body understands the ink as an invader and your immune system will respond to the injury creating a natural inflammatory process. It is crucial to minimize this inflammation with hydration and avoiding alcohol, greasy and/or spicy food.

Do not pick, peel or scratch your new tattoo.

Do not under any circumstances use rubbing alcohol, peroxide, Neosporin or cortisone on your new tattoo.

Do not use sponges, washcloths or anything abrasive while cleaning your tattoo. They harbor bacteria and may irritate or harm your tattoo.

Do not let anyone touch your new tattoo.

Wear breathable and loose fitting clotting over the area.

During the first couple days you may experience some swelling and discomfort. If wearing a bandage you can use an icepack for a short time to minimize this reactions. Be sure to place a clean towel between the bandage and the icepack. Legs up if you have a swelling tattoo in areas like feet and ankles.

There are tricky spots like joints and areas where your skin moves and cracks constantly. This areas may be difficult to heal. Be patient and careful.

If you got a hand or foot tattoo you must stay away from home cleaning products. Find shoes that don’t rub on top of your new work. It’s hard to manage keeping those spots clean and taking proper care of it.

Diabetics and smokers often have a reduced peripheral blood flow, which is the reason why they are likely to experience a slower healing process.

If your tattoo is bandaged with this good stuff you should keep it on for at least four days; a week if the wrap holds. No need for lotions or anything else if you use these.

During this time it is normal to see some fluid build up beneath the bandage, but if it gets to the point where the bandage begins to leak you must gently remove it under running water at room temperature. Wash the tattoo with a mild, fragrance and alcohol free antibacterial soap and allow your skin to air dry for twenty four hours. Follow the standard aftercare listed below if the bandage doesn’t work for you.

After four days to a week remove the bandage under running water. To take the bandage off you must stretch from each side rather than peel it off like a Bandaid. When you stretch the bandage it allows the adhesive to come off the skin without disrupting the tattoo and taking any ink with it.

Wash the tattoo with a mild fragrance/alcohol free soap. At this point your tattoo should be well into the healing process, you may follow the general care instructions and use lotion. We recommend Hustle Butter.

Leave the bandage on for three hours. Keep it on over night if you left the shop late night.

Wash your hands well with soap before touching your new tattoo, then remove the bandage. Wash the tattoo with a mild, fragrance/alcohol free soap to remove all residues and fluids with your fingertips gently.

Rinse and let it air dry for twenty four hours.

Wash tattoo twice a day, morning and night, using the soap previously mentioned. Do not overwash, or your tattoo will be too dry. Allow your skin to air dry for a few minutes and gently apply a thin layer of Hustle Butter until your tattoo is completely healed. 

As it heals your tattoo will get dry, itchy and will probably produce scabs in the color of the ink used. It does not mean the ink is going to fall out. Let the scabs fall off naturally. Keep using Hustle Butter.

If most part of your tattoo has healed but you still have a few stubborn spots do not pick it. Be patient and keep taking regular care of your new art. It doesn’t mean that the area will lose color.

The tattoo may appear dull until it has completely healed. This is normal and will go away after a few weeks. In the first two weeks your tattoo will be just superficially healed, the skin can take more than three months until it’s fully renewed.

After your skin is healed a good sunblock will protect from damage and give your tattoo longevity. You should moisturize and wear sunblock daily. Don’t expect your colors to stay bright if you don’t care for it.

The risks most commonly associated with tattoos include infection, allergic reactions, swelling, rashes, and scarring. Complications and death are a possibility.

We follow the best practices to minimize any danger; however, it is impossible to predict complications.

If you manifest symptoms like fever, prolonged or severe pain, redness and swelling, sores that contain or release thick white or yellow fluid, muscle aches and pain affecting the whole body, extreme or unquenchable thirst, hard raised bumps or wounds, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, it indicates that you have developed an infection.
Look for a doctor immediately, not the shop; we cannot help with that.

Touch-ups are most frequently due to improper after-care.

There are skin types that do not retain pigment well.

If you want a touch-up, it has to be understood as regular maintenance and will be charged just as a typical tattoo.

Be aware that areas such as feet, hands, fingers, elbows, knees, scalp, etc., are prone to fade and will likely need some rework.