This is our comprehensive instructions for tattoos done at Ultimate Arts. If you received your tattoo from us please follow these instructions. If you received your tattoo at another studio please follow their instructions. The instructions are based on how the tattoo was done and what we have found works best for how we do the tattoo.

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Tattoo Healing Instructions

Keep bandage on for at least two hours, but no longer than ten. After you remove the bandage, wash the tattoo with cool water. Cool water is less likely to stimulate bleeding. When washing the tattoo, first soak a clean white paper towel with cool water. Set it on the tattoo for a few seconds, then wipe softly; this will not hurt the tattoo. Take care to get all the little blood beads off. After washing, apply a very small amount of *A&D ointment to the Tattoo. Whatever you can't get into the skin... wipe off! Overusing the ointment will suffocate the tattoo and make the color push out. Don't re-bandage!

Note: Putting an ice pack on the tattoo helps to reduce swelling and reduces the secretion of body fluids. These fluids will only create heavier scabbing, making further care more difficult. Apply the ice pack 10 minutes on 10 minutes off. Repeat often during the first 12 hours.

Wash every 2 to 5 hours for the first two days, and apply the A&D as described above each time. Remember overuse of the ointment will cause the tattoo to weep and push out color.

After the first forty-eight hours, do not get the tattoo soaking wet until the entire tattoo is healed. You will need to find a method of bathing to prevent this. Covering the tattoo with any type of plastic bandage is not an option! This will only make the skin sweat and push out color. Apply A&D ointment 1-2 times each day until the scabs fall off. If the tattoo becomes dry use ointment more often - not more of it. If you need to wash the tattooed area, blot it with a moist white towel, followed immediately with a dry one.

During the healing process you will develop scabbing. Don't pick your scabs. If you pick at the scabs, we promise you will lose color. Just so you know, the scab will be the color of the tattoo pigment. For the first day or two it will seem as though all is well and there won't be a scab, but don't be fooled, the scab is there. After a few days the scab will be more obvious and the tattoo might look "not attractive"; don't worry, this is normal. If scabbing becomes thick, cut back on use of ointment.

The skin needs to run its course of healing. Don't use anything other than A&D without consulting us first. Remember, it is almost better to do nothing than to do something wrong. We have found that many other products will draw the color out of the skin. It doesn't matter what your "know it all" friends say, follow these instructions.

Keep tattoo out of the sun. This does not just mean laying out!!! Use your head - no sun means no sun... period. The sun will damage your tattoo. After the tattoo is healed you should use a sunscreen of 35 spf or higher (we recommend 45-50 not baby sunscreen). This will keep your color bright and the contrast with your skin color the way it was meant to be. We use your skin tone as a highlighted part of our work; if you tan it, the effect will change.

Allow the skin to heal without picking, soaking, swimming or tanning or whatever unusual thing you can think of. Use common sense when choosing your wardrobe. Avoid socks, cuffs, or tight collars. If your clothes rub on the tattoo, it could accidentally pull off scabs. If you have questions we are here to help. Don't think it’s a dumb question, just call.

The ultimate goal is: We did our job now let your body do its’ job.

Thank you very much for letting us be a part of you forever.