3D Areola Aftercare
FIRST 48 HOURS FOLLOWING PROCEDURE:
- WHEN SHOWERING, Keep your back to the shower spray, do not let hot water spray directly onto your tattooed breasts. Gently wash your breasts with mild soap such as Cetaphyl or baby shampoo. DO NOT use anything astringent. Continue to rinse until all surface blood, ointment and soap have been removed. Blot dry after shower using paper towel or allow to air dry for 15 to 30 minutes until tattoo is dry (tattoo will feel taut or tight when it is thoroughly dry).
- Apply ointment in a thin, light coat (not more than the size of a pin head) by gently rubbing in onto the areola with a cotton swab. Tattoo should feel moistened but not heavily coated. Use the ointment provided. If the ointment burns or hurts in anyway, stop using it immediately and call me.
- During the daytime, REBANDAGE with non-stick pads whenever you have to wear clothing over your tattoo (such as bra). Avoid tight clothing if possible.
- During the evening, apply a think layer of ointment (not more than a size of a pin head) to the tattoo and cover with plastic wrap. Try to sleep on your back.
- All tattoos weep body fluids. You will see these fluids each morning on the plastic wrap. It is important to blot these fluids off with a damp (with purified water) white paper towel periodically throughout the day for 5 days.
- Be careful not to use pressure.
- VERY IMPORTANT: While your tattoo(s) is covered, it is healing at a much slower rate, so whenever possible, expose the tattoo to the air or cover with a loose fitting, soft, white cotton T-shirt.
- After day 5; let the “girls” dry out to continue healing on their own. No more ointments. Still, gently blot them with a damp paper tower periodically if you notice they still appear to be weeping.
Care For Your Areola Restoration
WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT AFTERWARDS?
- 1. SLIGHT SWELLING and redness following the procedure and the skin may feel tight and sensitive, these symbols will ease within 1-7 days depending on how sensitive your skin is and how much post surgical feeling has been preserved. Tylenol or ibuprofen may be in order.
- 2. For 10 days (or until peeling is complete) DO NOT expose your tattoos to dust or dirt. DO NOT exercise or cause sweat in the area of your tattoo. NO mud wrestling or washing the dog... you get the idea. Just try to keep sweating to a minimum if possible.
- 3. PEELING or scabbing may begin in about a week. DO NOT PICK, PEEL, RUB OR SCRATCH the epithelial crust, ALLOW IT TO FLAKE OFF ON ITS OWN, otherwise your color may heal unevenly and you risk infection. It is important that the healing process takes its natural course! As the pigmented area of the skin heals and dries, it forms a scab. This can last for 14-21 days and the dead cells (the scab) will come off as healing takes place. Scarring can occur if the scabs are removed or knocked off prematurely resulting in color loss. Allow them to fall off naturally to preserve color.
- 4. Some itching is normal. You may consider taking Benadryl if that helps.
- 5. You will then notice slight fading of the pigment and softening of the color. Your tattoo may have a waxy or shiny appearance when it first peels and this is normal.
- 6. DO NOT expose your tattoos to the sun, tanning beds, lake water, ponds, oceans, hot tubs, pools, saunas for the first two weeks of the healing phase until there is no longer and scabs or crusting present. There is a great risk of infection as well as lack of pigment retention as a result.
- 7. Gently pat dry following showers or baths - even 5 and 6 months after tattooing procedure, allowing optimal time for healing. Colors appear brighter and more sharply defined immediately following the procedure. As healing progresses, color will soften. Final results cannot be determined until healing is complete in about 6 weeks. Color may be uneven after healing and this can be addressed at the touch up treatment. I am happy that you chose me for your areola restoration procedure. It is important to remember that permanent makeup is an art and not an exact science.
TWO IMPORTANT FACTORS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF YOUR FINAL OUTCOME:
- 1. How well you follow the post procedure instructions and;
- 2. Your own body ability to retain the pigment (which varies from person to person).
- In most cases, a touch up visit may be necessary. It must be completed within a reasonable amount of time after the initial procedure is complete, but cannot be done before 6 weeks.
- If you have any questions about healing or an unexpected reaction or possible infections, immediately notify myself and your doctor. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me. THANK YOU!
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Starting your areola restoration journey doesn't have to feel overwhelming. We've designed our process to be as comfortable and straightforward as possible. We're here to help you feel whole again. Not just physically, but in all the ways that matter – confidence, comfort, and the peace that comes with closing this chapter of your story.