Ink 'n Pain Tattoo - Vinkenburgstraat 16

Remove the non-adhesive bandage, plastic film or gauze after 2 hours of tattooing.

Wash the tattoo carefully, only with clean hands, cold or lukewarm water and a hypoallergenic mild soap.

Rinse soap thoroughly. Pat the tattoo dry with a clean towel or paper towel, or let it air dry. Do not wipe or rub dry.

Apply a thin layer of hypoallergenic aftercare ointment.

Repeat steps 1 to 4 two or three times a day for two or three days. A soft, flexible crust will form and cover the tattoo.

After three days, keep greasing the tattoo with a hypoallergenic aftercare ointment until the crust has completely disappeared. Do not cover the tattoo again.

When the crust has completely disappeared, apply a perfume-free moisturising lotion several times a day for (2 to 3) weeks to prevent the tattoo from becoming dry.

      Activities to avoid during the recovery period

Avoid bathing, swimming and sauna use until the tattoo is completely healed. Showering is acceptable, according to the advice of the tattoo artist.

Avoid exposure to the sun and artificial tanning (sunbed) for at least two months to prevent the risk of abnormal pigmentation. If exposure to the sun cannot be avoided, sunscreen products with a high protection factor can be used, but only on a fully healed tattoo. However, the protection they offer is limited. A tattoo that has not fully healed should not be exposed to direct sunlight and should be covered if exposure cannot be avoided. Sunscreen products should only be used on fully healed tattoos.

Clothing worn during the healing period that comes into contact with a newly applied tattoo should be clean.

Do not remove scabs or loose skin during the healing period and avoid scratching.

Skin disinfectants (antiseptics) may interfere with the healing process. Antibiotics can cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics and can lead to allergies. Do not use them without medical advice.

      Descriptions of signs of normal healing and signs of infection and allergy

      General

      The client should be informed about what are normal and what are abnormal signs of wound                healing.

      Normal signs:

Secretions (of clear or pink liquid mixed with tattoo ink) are normal during the first days. If the discharge is excessive, the dressing becomes saturated and starts to leak.

Redness within the tattooed area.

Slight swelling is normal for the first few hours to days, but should diminish day by day.

Within the first 12 hours after tattooing, fever or chills may occur; if this persists or becomes severe, it should be considered a sign of infection and immediate medical attention should be sought.

      Abnormal signs: Signs of infection

increasing discharge of fluids;

secretion of yellowish or greenish sticky fluid;

an unpleasant odour;

increasing painful redness spreading around the tattooed area;

increasing throbbing and burning in and around the tattooed area;

immobility or difficulty in moving a limb, finger, toe or other part of the body;

red lines spreading across the skin; for example, red lines starting from a recent tattoo on the wrist or hand and continuing down the forearm and into the upper arm. This may be related to blood poisoning. If this is observed, immediate medical attention should be sought;

high fever or persistent fever and flu-like symptoms are signs of serious infection. If diagnosed, immediate medical attention should be sought.