General Freckle Aftercare
For a quick, easy healing process I have had the best results by having my clients do a mixture of “dry healing” and applying a colloidal silver gel (that I will give to you) to their new freckles! Allowing your skin to breathe and your body to heal itself will allow your freckles to heal nicely with minimal redness/weeping/scabbing etc. Following these instructions to your best ability will result in optimal healing for your body and your new freckles! :)
What To Expect :
Within minutes after your procedure the freckles will begin to oxidize and appear darker. This happens when your body forms a scab! The darkness will last for however long it takes for your body to repair itself. Some areas will begin to flake around day 3 or 4, and will take about 5-7 days for the remaining dark freckles to flake off completely (sometimes this may take longer if you’re a slow healer). DO NOT PICK AT THEM! This is extremely important. Picking at the freckles before they’re ready to flake off on their own will almost always result in pigment loss. The areas that flake will first appear shiny or “foggy”, or sometimes like the freckle is totally gone since the skin now covering the pigment is brand new, it hasn’t finished settling yet! Your tattoos will deepen back up and be completely healed about 4-6 weeks from the day of your appointment. After 4-6 weeks a touchup can be done to adjust anything that needs to be touched up, or add a few more if you’d like! :)
Cleaning (3 Times A Day):
STEP 1: Gently clean the area using a liquid, mild, fragrance free soap using only your hands. Do not use a rag or any other kind of facial cleaning tool/brush– these contain bacteria and can cause infection, and they can cause the scabs to come off before they should which almost always results in pigment loss. Be sure to rinse all of the soap off and then pat dry with a clean dry paper towel.
STEP 2: Apply a thin layer of the colloidal silver gel that I gave you. The gel will soothe the area and protect against infection. Do not use anything else on your healing tattoo! (This means no Aquaphor, no A&D etc. If you lose your container or run out, you can purchase silver gel locally at the Vitamin Shoppe or GNC.) Make sure to cover all the freckles with the gel, and if there is any excess you can blot it with a clean dry paper towel again to ensure the layer of gel is thin.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT apply ANY makeup or skincare products over your healing freckles. This will almost always result in either infection, or pigment loss. Skincare/makeup can effect the way that the newly implanted pigment bonds with your skin. Once you see that the freckles have all flaked (you may not notice the flaking, they might just appear lighter) you can apply makeup over them. You will want to wait at least 2 weeks before using any harsher skincare products over the area, and will want to avoid any ingredients that cause photosensitivity because they will cause the freckles to fade even faster than they normally do. Below I will list common ingredients that cause photo sensitivity – when re-introducing any of these ingredients back into your skincare routine listen to your body! If you feel like your skin is reacting more than it normally does (burning, redness, etc.), give your skin another week or two before trying it again.
AHA’s & BHA’s (lactic, glycolic, salicylic), Benzoyl Peroxide, Hydroquinone, Retinol & Retinoids, Topical Prescriptions, some Essential Oils (bergamot, bitter orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin leaf), Fruit Enzymes.
DO NOT pick at your new freckle tattoos during the first stage of the healing process. This will result in color loss and could possibly even cause scarring. Allow your body to naturally exfoliate and regenerate on it’s own. The flaking will start around day 3 or 4 and will be finished 7-10 days after the day of your procedure.
DO NOT submerge your freckles under water. You may shower and bathe as normal but do not submerge your new tattoo in the bath, swimming pool, hot tub or most importantly natural bodies of water such as lakes.
AVOID excessive sweating 5-7 days after getting your freckles, as this may effect the healing process and end results.
DO NOT USE tanning beds (or have sun exposure) while you’re actively healing (7-10 days) and limit exposure even after you’re healed. UVA/UVB rays cause tattoos to fade and become discolored.
- ONCE HEALED:
Although I do everything to ensure a smooth, easy healing process for you - it is your responsibility to follow the aftercare guidelines provided to you and follow them to the best of your ability. Once your skin has healed you must make sure to limit sun exposure- the sun (and tanning beds) will cause fading and discoloration. Any touch ups or additions to your new tattoo can be done 6 weeks after the initial procedure.
THERE ARE NO IMPLIED OR WRITTEN GUARANTEES IF YOU DO NOT TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEW TATTOO. PLEASE REMEMBER - EVERYONE HEALS DIFFERENTLY. HAVE PATIENCE AND LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.