After care
Approximate Healing Time: Two to four (2-4) weeks
Supplies Needed: Fragrance-Free and Dye-Free, mild skin lotion, the recommended lotion is 
Aquaphor healing ointment 
Aftercare Instructions: Keep your new tattoo bandaged for 1-3 days. Then carefully remove the 
bandage under running water and gently wash the entire area with unscented soap and cool 
water. Pat dry the area and reapply a mild skin lotion for example aquaphor. Use only a very 
thin coating and continue to re-apply it two-four (2-4) times daily until your tattoo is healed. Do 
not re-bandage the tattoo, as it could stick to the bandage, and damage can occur.
Additional Considerations: Keep out of direct sunlight, avoid sunburn, salt or chlorine water, or 
hot tubs until your tattoo is completely healed, try not to soak your tattoo in water for too long, 
for at least a week. If mild scabbing occurs, do not pick, smack at or attempt to "wash off" the 
scab. Allow it to do so by itself. You may apply a mild skin lotion to keep "flaking" to a minimum.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the body art facility where your tattoo was 
performed. In addition, you should seek medical attention if the tattoo site becomes infected or 
painful or if you develop a fever shortly after being tattooed.

Disclosure Statement /Notice for Filing 
Complaints

Public Act 149, which was enacted in December of 2007, indicates 
that individuals shall not tattoo, brand, or perform body piercing on 
another individual unless the tattooing, branding, or body piercing 
occurs at a body art facility licensed by the Michigan Department of 
Community Health. Body art facilities must comply with the 
"Requirements for Body Art Facilities," which provide guidelines for 
safe and sanitary body art administration.
As with any invasive procedure, body art may involve possible health 
risks. These risks may include but are not limited to, transmissions of 
bloodborne diseases such as HIV and viral hepatitis, skin disorders, 
skin infections, and allergic reactions.
In addition, persons with certain conditions, including, but not limited 
to, diabetes, hemophilia or epilepsy, are at a higher risk for 
complications and should consult a physician before undergoing a 
body art procedure.
If you wish to file a complaint against a body art facility related to 
compliance with PA 149 or have concerns about potential health risks, 
please visit www.michigan.gov/bodyart.