Tattoo Aftercare Suggestions    THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF HEALING ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOUR NEW TATTOO.  FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO INSURE PROPER HEALING.  KEEP IN MIND THAT ONCE IT’S ON YOUR BODY, YOUR TATTOO IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS DURING THE HEALING PROCESS, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO STOP BY OR CONTACT THE STUDIO. STEP 1:  REMOVE THE BANDAGE IN 2 HOURS.  DO NOT  RE-BANDAGE. STEP 2:  GENTLY WASH TATTOO WITH THE WARMEST WATER YOU CAN STAND & AN ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP REMOVING ALL TRACES OF BLOOD & REMAINING OINTMENT.  PAT DRY (DON’T RUB) WITH A CLEAN TOWEL. STEP 3:  APPLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF  OINTMENT & WORK IT INTO THE SKIN LIKE A MOISTURIZER.  NOTE:  APPLYING TOO MUCH OINTMENT WILL CAUSE THE TATTOO TO SWEAT, TOO LITTLE WILL MAKE IT DRY OUT & SCAB.  YOU DO NOT WANT EITHER OF THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN.  BLOT A SWEATY TATTOO GENTLY WITH A CLEAN PAPER TOWEL. STEP 4:  REPEAT STEP 2 AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES A DAY FOR 7-10 DAYS. STEP 5:  REPEAT STEP 3 AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A DAY FOR 7-10 DAYS. STEP 6:  AFTER 7-10 DAYS USING THE  OINTMENT, YOUR TATTOO WILL BEGIN TO FLAKE LIKE A SUNBURN.  BEGIN USING A MILD MOISTURIZER, LIKE LUBRIDERM 3-4 TIMES A DAY FOR THE NEXT  WEEK OR TWO.  BE PATIENT!  YOUR TATTOO’S HEALING PROCESS DEPENDS GREATLY ON YOU , YOUR METABOLISM, AND YOUR HEALTH.  SOME TATTOOS HEAL FASTER THAN OTHERS, SOME PEOPLE HEAL FASTER THAN OTHERS. DO NOT PICK OR SHAVE YOUR TATTOO WHILE IT’S HEALING DO NOT SWIM FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS DO NOT EXPOSE TATTTOO TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT FOR 2 WEEKS DO NOT SOAK IN HOT TUB, SAUNA OR BATH FOR 2 WEEKS SHOULD A RASH OCCUR: IF YOU ARE HAVING AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THE OINTMENT, SMALL RED BUMPS WILL DELEVLOPE AROUND THE EDGES OF THE TATTOO.  WE SUGGEST YOU CONSULT WITH YOUR ARTIST & CHANGE YOUR AFTERCARE PRODUCT.   LONG TERM CARE OF YOUR TATTOO: YOUR TATTOO IS NOW A PART OF YOUR SKIN.  THE WAY YOU TREAT YOUR SKIN WILL DIRECTLY AFFECT THE WAY YOUR TATTOO WILL LOOK IN THE FUTURE .  TANNING YOUR TATTOO WILL FADE THE COLORS.  WE SUGGEST USING A SPF 25 SUNBLOCK OR HIGHER ANYTIME YOUR TATTOO IS EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT.  USE A MOISTURIZER DAILY TO KEEP YOUR TATTOO LOOKING BRIGHT FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.