1 to 3 Days After Your Procedure

• Your physician assistant will place Tegaderm™ plastic dressing on your tattoo right after your procedure. Leave this dressing on for 3 days.

• You may shower normally with your dressing on. It’s waterproof.

• Fluid may build up underneath your dressing. This is normal.

• If your dressing starts to come off or if fluid is dripping from your dressing, put another Tegaderm™ dressing over the one you have on.

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4 Days After Your Procedure

• Remove the Tegaderm™ dressing. Gently clean the area in the shower with warm water and your normal shower soap. Don’t rub the area to get it clean.

• Leave any scabs that may have formed alone. They will heal and come off on their own.

• After your shower, dry the area gently. Apply non-scented white lotion (such as Lubriderm®, Aveeno®, or Eucerin®) to the tattooed area until it absorbs.

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5 to 14 Days After Your Procedure

• Continue applying non-scented white lotion to the area at least once a day.

• You may apply lotion more than once a day if the area looks dry.

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General Care Guidelines

• Don’t soak in a pool, bath, or hot tub until your tattoo is completely healed. This usually takes about 2 weeks.

• If a crust or scab appears on the area, don’t peel it off. This can pull away the ink on your tattoo.

• Don’t exercise (such as run, do yoga, or cycle) for 1 week after your procedure or while there’s scabbing. If you’re in physical therapy, it’s okay to continue after your procedure.

• Don’t lift anything heavier than 20 pounds (9 kilograms) for 1 week after your procedure or while there’s scabbing.

• You can wear a bra at any time.

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When to Call Your Healthcare Provider

Call your healthcare provider if you have:

• A fever of 101° F (38.3° C) or higher

• Pain at or around the treated area

• Increasing redness or warmth at or around the treated area

• Thick drainage at or around the treated area