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XZAVR CRUZ TATTOO

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After Care

Traditional Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

First 24 Hours
 

  • Keep the wrap on for 1-2 hours max I WOULD NOT recommend leaving on over night.

  • Once it is time to remove the bandage, wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo.

  • Gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free, anti bacterial soap.

  • Use your clean fingertips to gently remove blood, plasma, and excess ink. Do not scrub.

  • Rinse thoroughly and gently pat dry with a clean paper towel or allow it to air dry.

  • Apply a very thin layer of fragrance-free tattoo aftercare lotion or moisturizer. Your tattoo should not look heavily coated or greasy.


During the Healing Process
 

  • Wash your tattoo gently 1–2 times a day, or as needed if it becomes dirty or sweaty.

  • Keep the area moisturized with a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion. Avoid over-moisturizing.

  • Wear clean, loose-fitting clothing that won't constantly rub against the tattoo.

  • Let the tattoo breathe and avoid unnecessary friction or pressure.

  • Do not pick, scratch, peel, or pull at flakes or scabs. Let them come off naturally.

  • Some redness, tenderness, swelling, peeling, itching, and small amounts of clear or slightly bloody fluid can be normal during early healing.


Avoid Until Fully Healed
 

  • Swimming, hot tubs, baths, and soaking the tattoo.

  • Direct sunlight and tanning.

  • Heavy sweating or activities that repeatedly rub or stretch the tattoo.

  • Applying sunscreen directly to a fresh tattoo.

  • Fragranced lotions, perfumes, oils, or harsh products on the tattoo.

  • Tight or dirty clothing over the area.

  • Sharing towels or allowing other people or pets to repeatedly touch the tattoo.

Once the tattoo is completely healed, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen when exposing it to the sun to help protect the tattoo and your skin.

What to Expect

Traditional tattoos commonly take around 2–4 weeks for the surface of the skin to heal, although deeper layers of skin can continue healing for longer. Your tattoo may look dry, cloudy, or slightly dull while it heals before settling into its final appearance.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Contact a healthcare professional if you develop signs of infection such as increasing or spreading redness, worsening pain, significant warmth or swelling, pus, foul-smelling drainage, fever, or red streaks coming from the tattoo.
If you have concerns about how your tattoo is healing, contact your tattoo artist or a healthcare professional rather than picking at or aggressively treating the area.

Second Skin Healing Method

 

Your tattoo has been covered with a medical-grade, transparent adhesive film to protect it during the early stages of healing. Follow these instructions carefully.

Keep the Second Skin On

  • Leave the Second Skin on for 4-5 days if possible, if you do find it to be uncomfortable you are also fine to remove within 24 hours of the applying the protective layer.

  • It is normal to see a small amount of blood, plasma, and excess ink collecting underneath the film. This can look messy or dark and does not necessarily mean something is wrong.

  • Do not puncture, drain, or remove the film early just because fluid has collected underneath it.

  • If the bandage becomes completely detached, leaks significantly, or exposes the tattoo, remove it and follow the cleaning instructions below.

 

Removing the Second Skin

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  1. Wash your hands thoroughly.

  2. Remove the film slowly under lukewarm running water. I find this easiest too do while showering. Gently pull the film back over itself rather than ripping it straight upward. 

  3. Once removed, gently wash the tattoo with a mild, fragrance-free, anti bacterial soap using only your clean fingertips.

  4. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

  5. Gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel or allow it to air dry.

  6. Apply a very thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer once the tattoo is dry.

 

After Removal

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  • Gently wash the tattoo 1–2 times daily while it heals.

  • Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer as needed. Avoid leaving the tattoo greasy or heavily coated.

  • Do not pick, scratch, peel, or pull at flakes or scabs.

  • Wear clean, loose-fitting clothing that won't rub against the tattoo.

  • Avoid swimming, hot tubs, baths, and soaking the tattoo until it is fully healed.

  • Avoid excessive sweating and activities that cause repeated rubbing or friction.

  • Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight while it is healing.

  • Do not apply sunscreen to a fresh or unhealed tattoo. Once fully healed, use SPF 30+ sunscreen to protect the tattoo from sun damage.

 

When Too Seek Medical Attention

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Though rare it is possible for some people to be sensitive too the adhesive in the second skin.Some redness or irritation around the adhesive can occur. If you develop a rash, intense itching, blistering, significant swelling, or worsening irritation from the adhesive, remove the Second Skin and gently wash the area.

If you develop increasing or spreading redness, worsening pain, significant warmth or swelling, pus, foul-smelling drainage, fever, or red streaks, seek medical attention.

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