We want your new Tattoo to turn out perfectly- for you to enjoy for years to come. So please follow our recommendations for the proper care of your new Tattoo.
The Tattoo machine, in a simplified explanation, operates like a mini-sewing machine: the Tattoo needle that is attached to the Tattoo needle bar moves up and down very rapidly as it penetrates the superficial (epidermis) and the middle layer (dermis) of the skin. |
This process creates a superficial abrasion to the skin that is only about as deep as the thickness of your fingernail. Properly and professionally done, Tattoos cause minimal trauma to the skin and heal very quickly. Depending on the individuals care and reaction to the process, it may take from one to two weeks average time to heal over nicely. |
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| REMEMBER that some tattoos will heal faster than others - depending on the person, placement, and size of the tattoo. |
| Use common sense ... use SPF 50 sun block when in the sun after your tattoo has healed! |
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| HAWAIIAN TATTOO CO.'s TATTOO CARE INSTRUCTIONS |
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Remove the wrap in one to two hours and no longer. |
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Wash tattoo gently with warm water and mild soap. Do not scrub or rub! |
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Remove excess dried blood from tattoo, and rinse with cold water. Pat the tattoo area dry. |
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Gently work in a thin amount of neosporin cream. Apply 3 or 4 times a day for 4 to 7 days. |
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Remember to apply the cream thin to minimal. |
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Wash or rinse off the old cream before you apply the new cream. |
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For the remainder of the final stages, apply Lubriderm lotion until completely healed. |
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The estimated healing time is 2 weeks. |
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NORMAL STAGES OF A TATTOO |
Your tattoo will FLAKE ... no hard scabs ... |
Don't pick or scratch at the tattoo, dry skin is a normal part of the healing process. |
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It will dry up, be itchy, and turn dull |
| It will be shiny - and then return to normal |
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| A BRIEF HISTORY OF TATTOOS |
| When you think of someone with a tattoo, what comes to mind? A biker? A sailor? A rebellious teen? These are all stereotypes of tattoos in American culture, but in reality tattoo began in the Polynesian islands, with a cultural tradition and meaning Westerners are only beginning to understand.
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Tattoo, or tatau, has deeps roots among the indigenous peoples of Polynesia. As the tradition spread through the sea-faring cultures, each island brought its own style to this physical art form. |
After Captain Cook arived in the islands in the late 1700s, missionaries were soon to follow. They denounced tattoo as "the Devil's art," and acted swiftly to abolish tattoo, which was condemned as a symbol of superstition and sorcery. The sophisticated body art form which had developed over thousands of years was nearly destroyed in just a few decades, preserved only in old paintings and photographs. |
| Today, tattoo has come full circle. Around the Pacific, indigenous people are reclaiming their heritage by permanently decorating their bodies. But these tattoo are not merely little pictures of roses or hearts; they are living hieroglyphics which tell stories of life, lineage, history and culture. |
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| Follow the instructions from the tattoo artist carefully. As you will find, there are many variations on tattoo care instructions, but your specific tattoo artist knows their personal work best and how it turns out with proper care. Remember, you are protecting your investment, so give your new tattoo the best care. |
There is so much contradiction from one studio to the next when it comes to bodyart healing. It can be quite confusing. However, there are legitimate reasons why there are so many different opinions out there, and we will explain those reasons. |
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| Almost all artists will recommend using lotion after the first few days of healing to keep the skin moist, but some will actually advise using nothing but lotion from day one.
This is where it can get a little tricky. All different brands of lotions contain different ingredients - some that are OK, but some that can be very damaging to a new tattoo. Watch the ingredients - lanolin is an ingredient some will use, and lanolin causes allergic reactions in a lot of people. |
| Lanolin is the natural oil that comes from sheep's wool - if you're allergic to wool sweaters, you're going to be allergic to lanolin! Some also contain products such as (unpurified) bee's wax, which can clog pores and even contain contaminants. First and foremost, your tattoo needs to be clean, and it needs to breathe. If the pores are clogged, its going to cause infection. If you must use lotion, find one that is free of dyes and fragrances. |
| Specially made tatttoo aftercare ointments have been highly recommended by the artists that use them, some will say they're a waste of money. Now there are more products hitting the shelves that are specifically designed for tattoo care and include other helpful ingredients such as sunblock and pain reducers. Check with your local artists and see if they carry these products and whether or not they think they are suitable. |
| The best thing to do is to listen to your artist. If you experience any problems with the aftercare they recommend, discontinue use immediately. If you already know you are susceptible to allergic reactions, let your artist know and ask them what they would recommend as an alternative. Don't be stingy because the product they recommend is $3.00 more than something else - your tattoo is going to last you for the rest of your life, especially if you take good care of it. |
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| Copyright Notice : Unless otherwise indicated in this site, the information and materials available through this site are the property of Hawaiian Tattoo Co. or individual artists or studios and are protected under copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws. <read full notice> |
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