Before and After Care

• NO ALCOHOL OR BLOOD THINNERS THE DAY OF OR THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR TATTOO. This includes aspirin.
• The day before your appointment, please be sure to exfoliate the area that will be tattooed to remove dead skin cells. And please apply lotion twice a day for the week prior to your appointment. This will help in the tattooing process!
• No food or drink allowed in tattoo room itself.
• We recommend that you eat a real meal before you arrive.
• Wear clothing that makes it easy for the artist to access the area to be tattooed. If you have long hair, please wear it up and out of the way.
• Please arrive at your appointment on time, clean, and ready to start. 
• You will need a photo ID with your birthdate on it. You must be 18 years old to get a tattoo in North Carolina.

CongRatatatTats on your new tattoo! Now help it heal by following the procedures below. 

IF YOUR ARTIST PUTS A PAPER BANDAGE ON YOU:

• 1 to 3 hours after your appointment, wash your hands, then remove the bandage and wash your tattoo with warm water and unscented, antibacterial soap using only your hands (no washcloth). Dry the tattoo by gently patting it dry with a clean,      paper towel (not with a bath towel).
• Let the tattoo breathe, uncovered, for the remainder of the day and overnight.
• Starting the next day, wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap and pat it dry with a clean paper towel 2-4 times a day.
• After washing each time, apply a THIN amount of Mad Rabbit Soothing Gel or Aquaphor twice a day. The tattoo should look slightly shiny but should still be able to breathe. DO NOT APPLY A THICK LAYER. Avoid the use of triple antibiotic ointments like Neosporin or Bacitracin. These are too strong and could fade the tattoo.
• If you used Aquaphor, after 2-3 days, stop using ointment and begin using a plain, unscented lotion like Lubriderm or Curel, or switch to Mad Rabbit Soothing Gel. Apply a very thin layer. Your tattoo needs to breathe. If you used Mad Rabbit Soothing      Gel from the beginning, continue to use it.
• Continue to use the lotion or Mad Rabbit Soothing Gel 2 to 3 times a day for the next 2 to 3 weeks.

IF YOUR ARTIST PUTS A TRANSPARENT ADHESIVE BANDAGE ON YOU:

• Leave the bandage on 3-5 days or until it starts to peel off on its own (whichever occurs first). Don’t be worried if you see plasma, blood, or ink collecting under the bandage. That’s normal. To remove it, soak it in water, then gently pull the      bandage down over itself slowly. Wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap and pat it dry with a clean paper towel or let it air dry.
• Apply a thin coat of unscented lotion or Mad Rabbit Soothing Gel.
• Continue to wash it and moisturize 2 times a day for the next 2 to 3 weeks.
• If water from showering gets inside the bandage, or if there is air visibly able to get in, remove the bandage. Potential signs of infection or allergy to the bandage include      pulsing pain increasing as the days progress, redness radiating heat from the tattoo, stinging or burning after the first 24 hours, or green or yellow foul-smelling liquid. If you experience any of these issues, email us right away.

GENERAL RULES FOR A NEW TATTOO

• Never scratch, pick, or slap a new tattoo, even if it peels, scabs, or itches.
• Keep tattoo covered while in the sun and use sunblock after it has healed.
• Do not expose to chlorine swimming pools, lakes, or beach waters for at least 2 weeks.
• Do not soak in a sauna, steam, or tub for at least 2 weeks. Yes, you can still shower.
• Remember that healing times will vary. So, if your healing is different than someone      else you know, don’t worry. If you're concerned, please call us.