Tattoo After Care Instructions
Your tattoo has been done under clean, professional conditions using the utmost modern sterilization techniques and the finest tattooing pigment available.
Now it is up to you to take care of it .  The chance of infection or damage to your new tattoo is minmial if aftercare instructions are followed correctly.


  • Leave on the bandage that you received after the tattoo for 2-6 hours (No more than 10 hours). This bandage is there to keep air-borne bacteria and other contaminants in the environment from invading your wound.
  • Before cleaning or touching the tattooed areas, WASH HANDS thoroughly with soap and warm water.
  • Treat your new tattoo as an open wound.
  • Carefully remove the bandage. If it sticks, gently wet any applied bandage and gently pull off so as not to damage any scabs or dried matter. Do Not Force It's Removal!
  • After removing the bandage, cleanse the area with mild soap and water then rinse. Do not scrub the tattoo or rub with washcloth or towel. Pat dry with a clean towel.
  • Let the tattoo dry completely, this will take approximately 10 minutes.
  • Lightly apply a thin layer of acceptable aftercare products, such as Bacitracin, Vitamin A&D Ointment, or specialty tattoo products provided by your tattoo artist.
  • You do not need to re-bandage.
  • For 3-5 days, make sure the tattoo is kept very clean and apply ointment 3-4 times a day by cleaning off any old ointment and applying a thin layer of fresh ointment (Only enough to make it shiny). Do not allow your tattoo to become dry. If scab does form, do not pick at it, but allow it to heal on it's own.
  • Do not panic if you have a reaction to your aftercare product. You may be sensitive to one of the ingredients. Although not a major problem, it does happen. The skin can react in a few ways from redness to irritable itchy skin to white pimple skin spots. If this occurs, stop using your aftercare product. Lightly was off the remaining product form your skin. A reaction to a product should settle down within 24-72 hours. If you are still experiencing a problem after 14 days, it would be doubtful that the aftercare product was to blame and it may be you have had an allergic reaction to the ink. This is possible even if you have been previously tattooed without any problems. Should this occur contact the studio for advise from the artist. It may also mean a visit to your physician if the problem persists.
  • After 3-5 days switch to fragrance free lotion or gentle moisturizer as needed until completely healed. It is best to use a moisturizer with aloe and vitamin E as the this helps heal the damage skin. Regularly moisturizing a tattoo helps to keep the skin soft and the colors bright. Also, the sun can irreversibly damage even a well healed tattoo so remember to use a good sun block with strong SPF when spending time outdoors.
  • Healing generally takes 14 days in a normal healthy adult. As it heals, expect peeling similar to sunburned skin.
  • Itching is expected. DO NOT SCRATCH THE TATTOO!
  • Do not use Vaseline or other petroleum jellies, Neosporin, Iodine, Peroxide, or alcohol based products.
Most problems or irritations occur from
  • Scratching or itching a new tattoo.
  • Tanning or swimming before the tattoo is healed
  • Using inappropriate amounts or types of aftercare products 
   You may expect some slight swelling, redness, and discomfort around the site.
    If any of the following symptoms appear consult a health care provider
  • Unusual drainage
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Excessive pain or discomfort
  • Excessive swelling, redness, feeling that the skin is hot to the touch
  • Temperature greater than 101F within 24 hours of the tattoo
Mystic Tat2  319-981-8184
419 3rd Ave SW Cedar Rapids,  IA  52404
Mon-Sat 4pm-11pm
Mystic Tat2    319-981-8184
419 3rd Ave SW Cedar Rapids,  IA  52404
Mon-Sat 4pm-11pm