AFTERCARE

Leave Derma Shield on for 3-5 days.

• After 3-5 days, remove in the shower.
  - Stretch the Derma Shield off, similar to removing a Command Strip from a wall.
  - Thoroughly wash off all adhesive residue, use coconut oil to remove stubborn portions.

• For the following week, wash at least twice a day with an unscented, antibacterial pump soap.
  - Do not use bar soap, as bar soap can harbor bacteria and cause infection or irritation.

• Moisturize after washing using a light, white unscented lotion.
  - Cerave, Gold Bond, Lubiderm, and coconut oil are great moisturizers.
  - NO AQUAPHOR OR VASELINE unless instructed by your artist.
  - If you have stubborn healing, deal with severe dry skin, or have scabbing commonly caused by           blackout shading, use a heavier moisturizer or moisturize more frequently.

• DO NOT SWEAT WITH DERMA SHIELD ON. It’s important to keep your Dermashield on for a minimum of 24 hours for your own safety. The most common infections occur within 24 hours of your tattoo appointment, when your skin is the most open and vulnerable. Do not exercise the day of or day after being tattooed.

• Redness and irritation may happen using Derma Shield with clients with sensitive skin types. This is normal. Remove Derma Shield and wash thoroughly, it will go away after a day or two. 

• Allergic Reaction and Derma Shield:
  - Unfortunately, Derma Shield is like latex, the more you use it, the more prone to allergy you may be.
  - You will know if you are allergic to Derma Shield if your entire tattoo becomes extremely itchy underneath it. If it does, remove immediately and wash thoroughly in the shower. If a severe reaction occurs and is not made better by removing Derma Shield, please contact your doctor. 

• No sun exposure for 2 weeks following your tattoo appointment.

• No submerging your tattoo in water for 2 weeks following your tattoo appointment.
  - This means pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, the ocean, and yes, even your bathtub.

• Do not pick at the scabs in your tattoo design. (I’ll know what you did, you can’t fool me) 

• Your tattoo will take 4-6 weeks to heal on the surface layers of your skin. You will know when your tattoo is close to being finished in this phase when the skin looks waxy, shiny, or even a little wrinkly. 

• It takes about 6 months for your tattoo to completely heal internally and settle in.

• Bruising is normal in tattoos with heavy black and heavy stipple shading.
  - It is especially present in “soft spots” such as the inside of your arm and leg.
  - It will typically appear around your tattoo, not within the tattoo itself.
  - It will go away within a few days, taking arnica will help. Do not use topical arnica products.

• If you cannot use Derma Shield, please follow all aftercare instructions immediately after removing bandage wrap. Do not use bandage wrap for more than 24 hours. Your tattoo is the most vulnerable within 24 hours of your appointment. Be extra adamant about keeping it clean.

• Tattoo artists are skilled in keeping a clean and sanitary environment. Zlata Tattoos uses disposable, single-use products and maintains a sanitary environment with medical supplies. Tattoo studio is thoroughly sanitized after each client. All clients are legally responsible for infection control. If infection occurs, seek a doctor or go to the Emergency Room. 

• All tattoos pose the possibility of allergic reaction from products used in the appointment. Zlata Tattoos is not legally responsible for allergic reactions to products.

• Please stay educated in how our bodies' react to tattoos. Sometimes they raise, sometimes they’ll get little bumps, even years after tattoo appointments. Such is the nature of the human body. Please do your research on how environmental or personal changes can affect your tattoos. 

•  If you experience signs of an infection, please seek the care of your physician. ZlataTattoos is not liable for infection of tattoo.