There are many different ways to heal tattoos. ACE Custom Tattoos consults regularly with members of the medical field to bring you the most recent and scientific methods. EVERY ONE WILL THINK THEY ARE AN EXPERT ON TATTOOS. PLEASE AVOID THEIR IGNORANCE. Remember that we are one of the very few tattoo shops that guarantees our work!

1. 1-3 HOURS after receiving your tattoo, wash the bandage off in HOT running water. DO NOT PEEL THE BANDAGE OFF FIRST! If the tattoo is located somewhere accessible, you may use a faucet. If it is elsewhere, wash it off in the shower. The bandage will soak up the water and probably fall off by itself, but may require some GENTLE assistance.

2. USE ordinary bar soap (Dove, Dial, or Ivory) and gently wash off the dried blood, ink, and paper residue with your fingers. DO NOT USE A WASH CLOTH. After completing this step, rinse the tattoo well. The hot water will not wash your tattoo away. Pat the tattoo dry with a towel. Wash it the same way 2-4 times per day. Your skin tattooed shin should look clean and dry like the rest of your skin. If it seems like it is weeping or sweating, you have not cleaned it thoroghly. Wash it, pat it dry, and leave it alone.

3. DO NOT Re-Bandage the Tattoo!!! Let air get to it so that it may dry. Ensure that any clothing you wear is loose and clean. Keep in mind, cotton will let your skin breathe, while polyester will not.

You will not need to put any products on the tattoo immediately. A tattoo will not dry up in one day. On the second day it is okay to use a white fragrance free lotion, or vitamin e oil, on your tattoo. You may do this 2-4 times a day, but always wash off the old lotion before applying any new lotion. This prevents your tattoo from becoming too dry.

DO NOT USE ANY MEDICATED PRODUCT. It may react with the ink in an undesirable way. DO NOT USE ANY OINTMENTS. They will clog your pores, and cause your skin to break out.

4. DO NOT Expose the Tattoo to Sunlight During Healing!!! Keep in mind, complete healing will take several weeks. Sunlight is the enemy of Tattoos and will fade them. Once your tattoo has healed, we STRONGLY recommend the use of sun block or sunscreen when exposing your tattoo to sunlight. It should even be reapplied often if you are in the sun for any length of time. If you do not use sun block or sunscreen, your tattoo WILL fade significantly. Tanning beds are WORSE. Cover your Tattoo with a bandage before using a tanning bed.

5. NEVER immerse your tattoo in water during the healing process... NEVER. BathTubs, Hot Tubs, SwimmingPools, Beaches and Lakes are ALL OUT OF THE QUESTION during the time it takes to heal your tattoo. They each contain bacteria and/or chemicals that will cause your tattoo to scab excessively, and heal poorly.

6. There are certain areas which require special attention. A lower back tattoo should never have a belt or any tight waste-line against it. An ankle tattoo should not have tight socks or polyester hose on it. Basically no tight or restrictive clothing should ever be on a new tattoo. It could seriously damage a tattoo at its most important stage.

7. TATTOOS TAKE 4 to 21 DAYS TO HEAL, depending on the individual. During this time, it will form a slight scab. DO NOT PICK THESE OR SCRATCH YOUR TATTOO, as it will pull out the color. The scabs will flake off on their own. This may occur in the bed, the shower, or in your clothes. The new skin may make the tattoo appear grey or smokey, but that's normal and will go away. If it itches at any stage (chances are that it will) SMACK IT - DONT SCRATCH IT. NEVER use any commercial anti-itch product.

A touch up can only be done when a tattoo is fully healed, or there is a risk of scarring. If you have a problem or question CALL US!!!! We stand behind our work, so let us help.