Ink Bar USA Tattoo School

THIS IS THE AFTERCARE INSTRUCTION THAT WE USE IN THE SHOP, THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

INK BAR USA
1730 Monterey Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
(719) 632-6454
www.inkbarusa.com
inkbarusahq@gmail.com

Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Body Art commonly known as a attoo is a form of body modification, made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. This procedure is permanent. After care is the most important process. After getting Tattooed leave the bandage on for a few hours before removing...this allows the tattoo the bleed out without your lymph drying and scabbing.

After leaving the Tattoo shop go buy Aquaphor, anti-bacterial liquid soap, paper towels, bandage, scotch or medical tape, and non-scented lotion (we recommend Aveeno, Lubriderm, or Eucerin... we advise only high grade and non-scented lotions for the after Aquaphor portion of healing...Different lotions work differently on different people)...you need all these products before removing the bandage the first time...Aquaphor can be found in the lotion section of most drug stores...its made by Eucerin...This is the only healing ointment that we recommend...let it be known we do NOT advise or approve the use of any A & D, Vaseline, Tattoo Goo, Tat Wax, H2 ocean, flim flam, snake oil, etc...(although A & D is used during the actual tattooing process, it is not good for healing Tattoos)

When removing the bandage for the first time there will be blood, ink, and lymph (clear gelital excretion on your skin)...wash the tattooed area with HOT water (as HOT as You can stand...this will cause discomfort but will not damage the tattoo), using a damp and fresh paper towel to help pull off all the lymph, excess ink, and blood...rinse this area for a few minutes with hand and bacterial soap...This process pulls out all the elements that create thick scabs and will further the proper healing of your new tattoo

Let the tattooed area air dry wiping only the wet areas around the tattoo. Now apply a small dab of Aquaphor enough to cover the tattoo..rub this in with your fingertips (ensure your fingers are clean)...it is key to only apply a thin layer of Aquaphor...although it is an ointment, use it like  a lotion...for example, thick gooey films are not good

Now wrap the tattoo with new bandage and tape just like it looked when you left the tattoo shop

You are going to sleep with the bandage on...this allows for your tattoo to fully bleed out and the lymph to stay moist and not bleed into your sheets...if you sleep without the bandage any hair, loose particles, sheet lent, etc. will become a part of the scab...bandaging prevents the sheets and clothing from sticking to your new tattoo and potentially ruining part of your new Tattoo...this process may make your sleep a little more uncomfortable than usual, but is an important key to proper healing.

When you wake up remove the bandage...again you will have a gooey gelatiness layer of blood, ink and lymph...use HOT water and a dampen paper towel to remove this layer of goo (do not be afraid to pull the paper towel over the tattoo...after the gooey layer is removed wash with hot water and anti-bacterial soap with your finger tips...again let the Tattoo air dry

Now it is time to apply another dab of Aquaphor to the tattoo...Again do not leave a thick film of goo...you just need enough for a thin layer to be massaged into the tattoo...if you leave a thick layer you will potentially create a trap and nest for particles to get stuck to your Tattoo

Each time you wash your Tattoo for the next 48 hours reapply this small dab of Aquaphor. Keep Tattoo Out of Sunlight...DO NOT touch the tattoo, and try and keep as little clothing friction such as a sock, bra straps, belts, etc away from the tattoo.

After the first 48 hours you should switch from the Aquaphor to the recommended non-scented lotion...Always wash the tattoo before applying any lotion or Aquaphor.

WARNING: INFECTIONS AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS!
If you think your tattoo might be infected, don't sit around waiting for it to get worse! Signs of infection are severe pain, hot redness, swelling and/or a pus discharge (with or without the presence of blood), or a foul odor emanating from the area. Infection that is not properly tended to can result in serious health consequences and even death. It is not something to be taken lightly. The signs an allergic reaction vary depending on the type of allergic reaction and the ingredient in the tattoo ink that's causing it. Common signs of an allergic reaction to a tattoo include: Swelling, Redness, Rash or bumps, Flaking, Scaly appearance, Purple or red nodules around the tattoo. See your doctor immediately. We are all susceptible to Staph infections - the bacteria that causes it resides on our bodies and just waits for an opportunity to take hold, like in a fresh new tattoo.

If you follow these steps you will have a proper healed tattoo that will retain the same vibrancy as the first day.

Most dermatologic surgeons caution that complete tattoo removal is not possible. Tattoos are meant to be permanent, so removing them is difficult. Few surgeons guarantee complete removal. Having said that, there are several methods of tattoo removal which have proven effective. The degree of remaining color variations or blemishes depends upon several factors, including size, location, the individual's ability to heal, how the tattoo was applied and how long it has been in place. For example, a tattoo applied by a more experienced artist may be easier to remove since the pigment was evenly injected in the same level of the skin. New tattoos may also be more difficult to remove than old ones.

Doctors say they can't predict the exact degree of removal because they generally don't know which of the 100 tattoo inks available today were used. (The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently lists tattoo pigments as "color additives," which are intended only for application to the top layer of the skin.) Consult with a removal specialist -- be sure to take a list of questions along.

10 Myths And Lies About Tattoos

1.That tattoo needles are a single needle.  People often think tattoos are done with a single tattoo needle.  They are actually done with needles that are clustered together and typically soldered in to groups of odd numbers: 3, 5, 7, etc. 
 
 
2. Tattoos bleed a lot.  In the majority of cases the outline shouldn't bleed at all and shading shouldn't bleed for more than 5 or 10 minutes.  When you leave the tattoo shop, the tattoo will be bandaged but has usually stopped bleeding.   
   

3. Red tattoo ink fades.  At one time colors such as red and blue often faded quite a bit.  In the last few generations innovations in tattoo ink has allowed for pigments that are not as easily affected by the elements, allowing them to maintain their brightness.   
 
4. Tattoos turn blue.  Many people have the image of the old blue tattoos from the 50s and 60s but there have been numerous improvements in the quality of tattoo ink and equipment.

5. White tattoo ink hurts more.  It is a common misconception that white ink or lighter colored tattoo inks are more painful.  This is untrue, lighter colors are generally put in at the end when the tattoo is being completed and the skin is most sensitive.  This gives most tattoo recipients the impression that the lighter colored inks are more painful and a white ink tattoo will hurt more.

6. Tattoos hurt.  While there is some level of discomfort involved, many people find tattoos to be less painful than they expected.  An experienced, professional tattoo artist will know various techniques to make the pain as bearable as possible.Some people use a numbing cream  , you would need to ask your artist befor using the cream.   

7. Tattoo artists are rude.  Like with any profession there are many personality types in tattooing. In general, tattoo artist are people too and have bad days. They have personal lives that spill over in to their professional life like any other workplace. Not every tattooer can be Kat Von D or "Mr Cartoon tattoo artist"  99.9% of tattoo artist are just like there tattooed clients, just trying to make it. 

8. Tattooing is easy. In actuality, tattooing is an acquired skill that takes years of practice and studying.  Numerous elements are involved besides the ability to draw, including knowledge of different skin types and pigments, time management, sterilization, working an autoclave  and hygiene as well as people skills.  Most tattoo artists go through a rigorous apprenticeship before being allowed to work on customers.   
 
9. Tattoos are expensive.  Not in the long run, in all cases a tattoo is a permanent addition to your body.  It is paid for at one time. There's no financing or interest involved. It can't be broken or stolen. Tattoo cost should not weigh heavily.

10. Tattoos are forever.  In the last 15 years or so, tattoo removal has made dramatic improvements.  Where in the past tattoos were forever and removal could amount to  thousands of dollars in medical expenses.Now with tattoo removal cream, that makes the tattoo fade,or quicker,laser tattoo removal cost has gone down greatly. One need only search for laser tattoo removal pictures to see the results.