For the next 10 days:

1. Leave the sterile dressing on tattoo for at least one hour but no more than 2. (You want to let the air start getting to it so it can start healing.)

2. Wash your hands before removing the dressing. Remove dressing. Wash tattoo well with soap and cold water. Pat dry and apply a thin layer of the aftercare ointment that you have been told to use.

3. Apply the aftercare ointment lightly 3 - 4 times daily for 4 days. After 4 days switch to ordinary moisturizing cream.

4. DO NOT soak in water for long periods of time (This includes swimming in the lake or a pool, hot tubs, and saunas.) Regular showering is fine but do not let the water directly hit on the tattoo itself. Pat the tattoo dry first, then dry off the rest of your body. Do not use any type of perfumed soap.

5. Keep tattoo out of direct sunlight until healed.

6. Keep cosmetics, chemicals, toiletries and household cleaners from direct contact with healing tattoo.

7. DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH HEALING TATTOO!