Frequently asked questions about tattoo care:

Please follow these instructions carefully since your tattoo should last a lifetime if cared for property. Also, please pay attention to your artist's specific instructions for healing tattoos on certain spots of your body.

Remove the bandage after 4-12 hours. DO NOT RE-BANDAGE.

Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel.

Apply a thin coat of Aquaphor, A&D Ointment of Bag Balm. Please make sure that the ointment is rubbed all the way in (no greasiness or shininess left).

For the first three days, repeat the wash, dry, and ointment steps once every two hours or more often )except when sleeping ... duh!)

Starting the fourth day, switch to washing only when you shower. After the shower, and throughout the day (often), rub in a creamy moisturizing hand lotion without aloe. Again, use very little lotion.

Repeat the last step until the tattoo is fully healed, and the skin seems to be no dryer than the un-tattooed skin around it. Lotions we recommend are; Lubriderm, Keri, Curel, Aveeno, or any other lotion without Aloe.

The reason for the large amounts of washing the first three days is that the more often you do this, there is less chance of color loss. However, if you do get scabs you won't necessarily lose color. Just make sure that you don't pick at them or allow them to be ripped off prematurely. Likewise, avoid the following for two weeks:

• Direct sunlight or tanning beds
• Aloe lotions
• Swimming or soaking the tattoo underwater (baths, hot tubs, or "sleeping with the fishes").

After two weeks, you need to use a strong sun block when your tattoo is exposed to sunlight. NEVER EXPOSE IT IN A TANNING BED. If there are any questions about your tattoo, please call us. Also, if your tattoo needs a touch-up, we'll do it for you at no cost. Please note though, that the best solution for that is prevention. Take care of your tattoo and, more than likely, you will need a touch-up at all.