Dragonfly: Terence Angel Latest collection

Something every tattoo collector should know about...

Now, you have your fresh new tattoo, and you want to take good care of it! From this point on, your artist is not responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don't take proper care of it. It is very important that you follow hygenic guidelines. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster if the proper aftercare is not taken. Leave That Bandage Alone!If Your artist took the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason - to keep air-born bacteria from invading your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Leave the bandage on but not for too long.Thats because all new tattoos need to breath!So we recommend about an hour or so.After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water .Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, you have probably been oozing white blood cells(this is normal for the body will instantly try to heal itself this way with any wounds). Try to gently remove as much of this as possible - when the cells dries on the skin surface, it creates scabs.Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of your choice of ointment.Use the products as directed as continue for 3-5 days.If your tattoo continues to weep,make sure you wipe its tears away and re apply the ointment.Your fingers must be clean.
After that, continue to keep it clean, but you can use lotion when needed instead of ointment, to keep the skin soft. Whatever lotion you use, it should be dye and fragrance free.
Bathing, Showering, Hot Tubs, and Swimming,Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo. It's OK to get your tattoo wet - just don't soak it. Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so you'll want to avoid those for 2-3 weeks, but showering is perfectly fine as long as you don't saturate your tattoo. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, just remove it quickly with water. Swimming - whether it be a pool, fresh water or salt water - should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.
After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. Excessive scabbing could indicate a poorly-done tattoo, but a little is sometimes normal and there is no need to panic. Apply warm moist compresses to the scabs for about 5 minutes 2-3 times a day to soften them and they will eventually come off on their own. (Do not apply ointment or lotion to a softened scab - wait for it to dry) You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!
After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always want to protect it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your tattoo with a sunblock. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years, and it will continue to be a source of great pride.
These are just the most basic guidelines to tattoo healing.Do call us at Dragonfly should you have any further questions.

The Mighty Sun

Proper sun protection is essential for a tattoo as long as you have it. Black ink or color ink doesn't matter - it will fade in the sun just like upholstery in the back window of a car. That doesn't mean you have to keep it covered with clothing, but you will need to protect it with the highest SPF lotion you can find, especially if you spend a lot of time in the sun. You need to reapply as often as possible and limit the amount of exposure it has to damaging sun rays. Otherwise your tattoo will fade and need frequent touch-ups. Sun block is a lot cheaper than touch-ups.