SO YOU GOT A TATTOO!!!!!!        YOU ARE NOW ART!!!!!!

Taking care of your new tattoo is simple, and should be no problem at all if you follow some easy care instructions below. 

    To make it COMPLETELY EASY for you, I have made a movie for you to watch:

It is to be hoped that viewing this video has inspired you to advance your epidermal embellishment. People often find truth in the old tattoo adage: "A mile to the first tattoo; an inch to the second." If you are interested in a custom Celtic piece for your next tattoo, please investigate my PORTFOLIO.

Once you are convinced that I am the artist for you, you can make an APPOINTMENT.

Here is the video's transcript, in case you'd prefer to read it:

Hello, I'm Pat Fish of Tattoo Santa Barbara and LuckyFish Inc. This
video contains care instructions for healing your new tattoo, but before we
get to that I'd like to just take a moment to talk about safety and
sterility. It is your responsibility to look and be sure the tattoo studio you
choose is going to install your tattoo in an appropriate manner. Here are some
tips to make sure you are an informed consumer. First, here's a tattoo machine
all set up and ready to go.
The most important part is the needle. This is actually a group of needles soldered
onto a bar - all of which should be disposed of in a biohazard sharps
container after each use -
- never reused. The next part I'd like to talk about is the tube. Tubes used to be
made of metal and were autoclaved sterilized after each use. Modern tubes
are made of plastic and are single use. This is a superior choice for both
convenience and safety and it is all I use. The old metal tubes would have
needed to be taken apart after each use in order to be completely sterilized,
because tiny assembly points could hold contamination; however, few tattoo artists
actually did that.
Of even more concern than studios still using metal tubes are amateur tattoo
artists working illegally. It is likely that someone working out of their
kitchen or at a party does not have adequate equipment and the training to
guarantee your safety, and should always be avoided.
You wouldn't go to a dentist operating out of a garage, and tattooing demands
the same level of sterility and professionalism. So, the completely
disposable tube is an easily superior replacement. The parts of this setup that are
not disposable are the machine itself and the power cord. During use these are
covered in disposable plastic. The entire place setting should be clean and
disposable - caps plate etc. Your artist needs to work from a sterile
field area just like a dentist. Even if you don't come to me for a tattoo, if you
go somewhere else, now you know what to look for and what questions to ask to
make sure that you're safe.
After you get your tattoo, you should leave the studio with a medical
quality nonstick bandage. Bandages are necessary to protect the open surface as
it initially oozes out lymph. You don't want any contaminant to get into the
open wound and you don't want to inadvertently contaminated any surfaces
in your environment.
Plastic wrap is not adequate. It is an air tight approximation of a petri dish
that could encourage bacteria to multiply in the tattoo.
Leave the bandage on for several hours or overnight and then do not rebandage.
If you experience throbbing, elevate the tattoo above the level of
your heart to reduce swelling. On that first night, sleep in clothing that will
cover the tattoo loosely so that it does not stick to the sheets. If the clothing
sticks to the tattoo, then get in the shower and wet it to gently remove it,
and then clean off any crust or ooze gently with water and your fingertips.
It's not necessary to repeatedly clean the tattoo while it is healing. Wash
gently only if necessary after that initial cleaning to remove that crust.
Allow it to air dry and then begin moisturizing.
For best healing we recommend moisturizing frequently and sparingly
with Curel fragrance free lotion. Curel comes in several varieties, so be
sure to get the fragrance free one.

Greasy ointments will not allow your tattoo to breathe and may slow healing
and there is no need for antibiotics - just be sure to wash or sanitize your
hands before moisturizing to prevent infection. Moisturize up to once an
hour for the first few days to prevent the formation of large scabs. If the skin
peels like a shedding lizard or snake, that is normal.
Continue with regular moisturizing until you can no longer feel the tattoo when
running your fingers over it and it is no longer shiny - that's at least a couple
of weeks and up to a month. Do not scratch, abrade, or pick at your tattoo as
it heals - if it itches, try tapping it lightly. Do not expose the tattoo to direct
sunlight until it is healed. Be careful while driving not to get sunlight on
it even through a window. Color tattoos are even more vulnerable to sun, so be
vigilant while healing. Do not use sunblock, deodorant, perfume, or scented
products in the vicinity of the tattoo while healing - they may cause irritation.
Soaking a healing tattoo in water could cause scabbing or scarring, so avoid
swimming, hot tubbing, and surfing for a couple of weeks.
Sweating and exercising is ok, but excessive stretching or "pumping up" of
recently perforated skin could cause stretch marks while healing. Also, be
aware that shared gym equipment and other surfaces may transmit disease - use
caution and keep the area covered with cotton long sleeves or something similar
when working out. Remember, this is an open wound - treat it accordingly.
Good after-care will allow your tattoo to heal properly and age as gracefully
as you do. Protect your investment and be art.
 

Angus the Irish Wolfhounds says "It is simple! Just take good care of it for a little while and enjoy it forever !!!"

A nice letter from someone who was helped by this information: 

Thank You Pat,
I just finished getting my fifth tattoo and checked your web page again for your aftercare tips. I followed your advice on my previous tattoos and they ALL turned out to heal absolutely perfectly. No scabbing, just that lizard skin peel you so accurately described. I read your web page after my very first and then reminded myself of the correct procedure after each subsequent one. I am 64 yrs old and got my first one @ 62 yrs old so my skin is not what would be described as in the "bloom of youth", but your tips made sure my tattoos healed, infection free, but have truly held their original colour. If I decide to add one more to my collection I will make the trip to beautiful Santa Barbara and spend my money wisely with you!! 

Thanks again, great movies, you provide a valuable service. 
Regards, Kevin M.