Historically, tattooists have generally disagreed on almost everything and aftercare is no different. It seems that everybody in the tattoo industry(haha) like to sing their own tune with regards to aftercare, and again, Fatbaby is no different. The trouble is, all this contradictory information relating to tattoo aftercare had read a lot of doo-doo type healing practices. One thing all of silly tattooists agree on is that a bad heal can bushwhack a beautiful piece of work. I'll try to keep this simple...

The First Day...
Leave the bandage on for at least four hours. When the bandage is removed, the goal is to remove any dried blood, plasma, residual ink stains or ointments from the area without causing more damage to the skin. Your tattoo is an open wound at this stage and must be kept clean. The care your new ink receives in these critical first days is what makes the difference between a fast heal and one that will scab for two weeks.
Follow ALL the steps, even if you think that they are repetitive and boring.

1. WASH YOUR HANDS
2. Gently wash tattoo with warm water and soap provided in your aftercare package until area is free from blood, plasma, ink, etc.
3. Rinse and pat dry with clean paper towel.
4. Allow to air-dry for fifteen minutes.
5. Apply a THIN coat of A&D ointment provided in your aftercare package. Leave tattoo uncovered.
6. Repeat steps A through E two hours before bed.

The Next Three Days...
Complete steps 1-6 twice a day, in the morning and two hours before bed. The Next Ten Days...
It has been four days since your tattoo was done and with any luck, it should be starting to peel. This is the turning point in your aftercare program as you will now STOP using the A&D ointment and replace it with the Tattoo Moisturizing Lotion, provided in your aftercare package.

1. Gently wash tattoo in the morning and before bed with soap provided in your afteracre package.
2. Allow tattoo to air-dry for fifteen minutes.
3. Apply tattoo moisturingzing lotion when tattoo is dry, up to, but not necessarily three times a day.

1. Never soak tattoo while it is healing. Other than following the cleaning instructions given in your pamphlet or from this website, keep tattoo out of the water. This means swimming pools, sausnas, hot tubs, bathtubs etc.
2. Keep new tattoo out of the sun (and tan beds) as they can slow healing and mute color.
3. Both chlorine and the sun will lighten tattoo, even after it has healed.
4. Do not allow foreign bodily fluids(or solids) to come in contact with healing tattoos.
5. Never pick or scratch new tattoos. If you find healing tattoos to be excessively itchy you can gently and carefully slap it. If you find ou are scratching new tattoos while you sleep, try putting socks over your hands before bed.
6. Do not follow other healing instructions unless otherwise directed by Fatbaby.
7. Time and care has been taken to apply your work. It is your responsibility to take care of your new ink.
8. Touch up work will be done at no additional cost within 60 days of application, if healing instructions were followed correctly.
9. Contrary to popular opinion, tattooing is an inherently painful, dangerous and risky practice that it totally unnecessary. No set of healing instructions is perfect for everyone.
10. Most tatoo disasters can be averted by following instructions and using your head.