It is important for you to follow aftercare instructions!
Please read carefully!
For the first 6-10 days post-treatment, the colour intensity will be significantly more dramatic (brighter or darker), as well as larger and sharper and more defined than what is expected for your final outcome. Although the area will appear healed after 10-14 days, it will not be fully healed for 4-6 weeks (up to 8 weeks for lips). The speed of your result will be based on how the outer layer of your skin exfoliates.
One procedure cannot guarantee desired outcome. In some cases, we need to see how our clients' skin works with the pigment and review the healing process after the first procedure. We offer one complimentary touch-up visit no sooner than 4 weeks and no greater than 8 weeks after your initial procedure. In more complex cases (including removal, colour correction, camouflage, scar tissue, or iron disorders/deficiencies) an extra charge may apply on touch-ups.
Specifics for lips:
If you have EVER had cold sores/fever blisters/herpes on or around your lips, you MUST obtain a prescription for Valtrex (Valacyclovir)/Zovirax from your doctor. Start your prescription 3 days before your treatment day and 4 days after, or as prescribed by your doctor. Failure to take an antiviral medication will result in a cold sore outbreak, which will compromise the results of your lip procedure.
The lips will look very intense in colour and may become swollen post-treatment. This may last 2-3 days depending on the individual. Usually the scab will peel off after about 3-5 days. Avoid peeling the skin as they heal. Your lips can look extremely chapped. Apply Aquaphor as often as you feel you need to with a clean Q-Tip. Once the peeling completes, the colour may look quite pale, only the lip line may show a light colour. Be patient until the skin matures, which will take at least one month, after which the colour will begin to "bloom", and you will see a more natural-looking result.
After you leave, I recommend that ice packs be applied for 10 to 15 minutes each hour for the first 4-8 hours following the procedure. The ice is used to reduce swelling and provide comfort. After the first 24 hours the use of ice is no longer beneficial. Old wives’ tale: Cooled used tea bags are also good for preventing swelling.
1) No soap, cleanser or shampoo on the treated area for seven (7) days. Soap and cleansers are designed to remove any foreign substances. Obviously, this is detrimental to the bonding process required for the pigment to become permanent. Toothpaste and mouthwash are considered “soap” and will remove lip
color, so proceed with caution when using.
2) All cleansing should be done with a clean Q-tip dipped in cool water and gently dabbed on the treated area. Do not rub the area in any way.
3) Apply Aquaphor or other ointment recommended by technician apply with a Q-Tip in the procedure area for the first 7-10 days. Apply to the treatment area with a Q-tip several times per day (Do not use mineral oil or petroleum based products such as Vaseline if allergic.) This is to be done in a gentle dabbing motion as not to disrupt the pigmentation
bonding process. This will keep the area moist and accelerate the healing. Do not let the area dry out, keep moist all times. Check your lips every thirty (30) minutes, re-apply ointment as necessary. Do not press or rub when applying ointment. Apply an extra heavy coat of ointment to the treated area before bedtime, bath, washing of adjacent areas, and immediately upon rising in the morning. If any form of redness, tenderness, drainage, fever or rash occurs, please contact your health care provider immediately and please inform Ink Haven Studio (Laura Sutherland)!
4) Baths and showers are permitted but do not wash, scrub or touch the treatment area. Hot, steamy baths and showers should be avoided completely. After two weeks, you may resume all regular activities.
5) When brushing teeth for the first three (3) days, coat lips with a lot of ointment before brushing and use a minimal a mount of toothpaste.
6) For the first two (2) days, use a straw when drinking liquids; avoid sandwiches, biting into fruit or foods that might cause friction to the lips. Avoid hot, spicy, salty, acidic food for your comfort. Smoking is discouraged for optimal results.
7) Do not use any lipstick or cosmetics on or near the treated area for seven 7-10 days. This rule applies also to non-allergic makeup, as it may contain
chemicals that interfere with the bonding process. If or whenever you do begin using cosmetics again, invest in a new lipstick to support your new look. This will eliminate the possibility of bacteria breeding in an old container.
8) For at least two (2) weeks, you need to minimize exposure to the sun, sauna's, tanning beds. I discourage swimming in fresh, salt or chlorinated pool water.
9) If you use Retin-A, do not allow it close to the treated area for thirty (30) days. It will cause the area to peel and lighten.
10) Since your procedure is facial, I recommend you sleep on a clean satin pillowcase for seven (7) nights. This will minimize the loss of pigmentation caused by rubbing against a cotton, textured pillowcase as you sleep.
11) Special care should be exercised while the treated area is healing. Under no circumstances should you pick, scratch or rub the treated area or attempt to remove the crusty material. Removing of the crusts may result in the removal of the actual pigment and/or infection may occur. It is important that this protective “cover” stay on during the healing process (three to six days).
12) Always use good health habits.
13) Fever Blisters can be a side effect and can occur on the 3rd or 4th day, therefore it is required that you take the necessary preventative prescribed medication to minimize this possibility immediately. Preferably 2 days before procedure and for 3-4 days following procedure.
14) Do not bleach your teeth until your lip procedure has totally healed.
The higher percentage of Carbamide peroxide in the bleaching gel the more colour it can pull out of the lips. Wait to bleach your teeth until after your colour refresher has healed.
15) Smoking should be limited if you have had a lip procedure. The filter when placed against the new lip colour can pull off the tattooed skin. This will ruin your lip procedure. If you must smoke, twirl the filter in Aquaphor or ointment such as petroleum (do not use if you have allergies to petroleum) before you smoke. This will help to eliminate tearing the newly pigmented tissue off of the lips.
16) I usually recommend a mouthwash called Biotene. It is free of alcohol and therefore lessons that burning sensation while you're swishing, which is what you'll be doing every time you eat or drink for a few days. I'd recommend not smoking afterward, but if you do, swish again!"
17) Fever Blisters can be a side effect and can occur on the 3rd or 4th day, therefore it is required that you take the necessary preventative prescribed medication to minimize this possibility immediately. Preferably 2 days before procedure and for the 3-4 days following procedure.
Important Instructions for Showering
•Limit your showers to 5 minutes so that you do not create too much steam. Keep your face/procedure area out of the water while you wash your body, then at the end of your shower, wash your hair.
• Avoid excessive rinsing and hot water on the treated area.
*Note*
Swelling, oozing plasma, tenderness, firmness and some redness are normal the next 1-7 days after the procedure for some clients. The use of Benadryl or Tylenol over the counter and keeping your face vertical is helpful.
• Shedding your color and outer epidermal skin is normal during the first 3-4 days following treatment.
• At the end of three weeks, your procedure should be healed
Long-Term Care - for all procedures:
- Using a quality sunscreen daily will help prolong the health of your skin! UV light quickly fades tattoo ink and so a daily use sunscreen will help it stay looking fresher, longer.
- Some of our pigments are iron-oxide based, which your body will slowly absorb as mineral irons. This means the colour will fade over time. You will likely need a touch-up every 1-3 years. The speed of fading is dependant on your skin type and daily habits.
- Avoid applying Retin A®, Renova®, Retinol, Alpha Hydroxy or Glycolic Acid products directly to the tattooed area after they are healed. These products can lighten the tattoo.
- If you are planning a chemical peel, MRI or other medical procedure, please inform your provider that you have an iron-oxide cosmetic tattoo.
Pictures displayed below are not the artwork of Ink Haven Studio. Images are to show example of healing process only.
