After Care

Tattoo After Care Instructions



Thank you for choosing The Rue Morgue Tattoo Gallery! If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 317-868-8221. Our customers are important to us, so we would rather answer a seemingly unimportant question than have a devastating result.

THIS IS THE BASIC AFTERCARE,  PLEASE IF YOUR ARTIST DIRECTS YOU TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, FOLLOW THOSE DIRECTIONS! OUR ARTISTS ALL TATTOO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AND SOMETIMES DIFFERENT HEALING METHODS WORK BETTER FOR THE DIFFERENT STYLES. THINGS LIKE DRY HEALING, SANIDERM (OR SIMILAR BRANDS) ARE OFTEN PRACTICED HERE AT THE RUE MORGUE TATTOO GALLERY.
***This is not intended as medical advice, consult this information with your tattoo artist***
Day One
·After 2-3 hours, remove bandage carefully. (If it sticks, wet bandage and remove slowly)
·Once uncovered, wash with warm mild anti-bacterial soap and water (using fingertips). 
·Next apply a thin layer of A&D or Aquaphor Healing ointment.
Day Two and Three
·Wash hands before washing your tattoo.
·Gently wash your tattoo with mild anti-bacterial soap 2-3 times per day.
·Apply A&D or Aquaphor healing  ointment 2-3 times per day to prevent your tattoo from drying (But if your tattoo feels dry and or tight apply healing ointment when necessary)
*** If you put on the ointment too heavy you will lose color and definition. If it looks like it is bleeding or dripping the ointment is too thick. You should be able to run a clean finger across it and not get a residue.***
Days Four through Ten
·Gently wash your tattoo with Mild anti-bacterial soap 2-3 times per day.
·Apply White Fragrance Free Lotion (Lubriderm, Curell, or Eucerine) until your tattoo is completely healed.
What is Normal?
·Your tattoo will appear cloudy and/or waxy
·Your tattoo will peel. (Like a sunburn)
·Your tattoo will start to itch during the healing process. When this occurs give your tattoo a sharp slap.

What to Avoid?
·Do Not use alcohol to clean your tattoo. (Before day 4, some lotions have alcohol in them) 
·Do Not rub or scratch your tattoo. (Give it a sharp slap when it itches) 
·Do Not let the tattoo dry out. (Unless your artist has recommended the dry healing process)
·Do Not Expose your tattoo to direct sunlight and /or tanning beds for two weeks. (After two weeks use a minimum of SPF 30 to prevent burning and/or color fading. This goes for the rest of your tattoo's life) 
·Do Not soak your tattoo in sauna, steam bath, or bathtub for two weeks.
·Do Not allow water to beat directly onto your tattoo while showering (First week only)
·AVOID CHLORINE!!!! No swimming in pools, lakes, rivers, or the ocean for at least two weeks.

***Please use ointment suggested by us***
Other artists/shops may suggest other products for their customers, but the ointments we've suggested work best with the inks we use. Please remember that your tattoo is an open wound until it is completely healed. If you use the guidelines listed above (and a little common sense) in a short while, you will not even know it is there. Except when you are showing it off. A lot of thought, money, planning, and a certain amount of discomfort has gone into your new tattoo. With just a little care, it will continue to look great for years to come! Touch ups are free (not necessary) only if you follow the directions above! Enjoy your new art, and welcome to the CREW!

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