The Ultimate Guide to Hustle Butter Tattoo Aftercare

Taking care of your new tattoo is crucial for ensuring vibrant colors and crisp lines for years to come. If your tattoo artist recommended ointment aftercare and Hustle Butter, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through each step of the aftercare process, specifically tailored for using Hustle Butter, to help your tattoo heal beautifully and quickly. Whether you received a smaller piece or have sensitive skin that wasn’t suited for adhesive wraps, proper aftercare with Hustle Butter is key to a perfect tattoo outcome.

Step-by-Step Ointment Aftercare with Hustle Butter

Following these instructions diligently is vital, especially because your tattoo is exposed and more vulnerable without a protective wrap.

Carefully Remove the Plastic Wrap

Once you arrive home, gently peel off the plastic wrap applied by your tattoo artist.

This is the initial barrier applied for immediate protection. It’s normal to see some blood and fluid buildup on the wrap and around your tattoo – this is just part of the natural healing process. Don’t be alarmed; it’s simply your skin’s initial reaction to the tattooing process.

Gently Wash Your Tattoo

Washing is essential to remove any lingering blood, plasma, or ink and to prevent bacteria from causing infection.

Important Washing Precautions:

No Shower Yet: Avoid showering directly after getting tattooed. We will address showering later, but for this initial wash, stick to a sink.
No Soaking: Never submerge your new tattoo in water. Soaking can cause ink to leach out and hinder healing.

Washing Steps:

Prepare Your Sink Area: Lay out clean towels to keep your sink area dry.
Warm Water Application: Use your hands to scoop warm water and gently pour it over your tattoo. Avoid high pressure; a gentle stream is sufficient.
Gentle Cleaning: Once wet, you can increase water pressure slightly to help remove excess fluid and blood.
Soap Application: Lather a small amount of tattoo-specific soap (like H2Ocean or a mild, fragrance-free antibacterial soap) in your clean hands. Gently apply the lather to your tattoo.
Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse all soap away with warm water, ensuring no residue remains.
Air Dry: Allow your tattoo to air dry for about 20 minutes. This is crucial before applying Hustle Butter, as trapping moisture can be detrimental.

Apply a Thin Layer of Hustle Butter

Hustle Butter is an excellent choice for tattoo aftercare, known for its moisturizing and soothing properties.

Hustle Butter Application:

Pea-Sized Amount: Start with a pea-sized amount of Hustle Butter. A little goes a long way.
Avoid Excess: It’s critical not to over-apply. Too much ointment can suffocate the skin, trap moisture, and hinder proper healing.
Gentle Rubbing: Gently rub the Hustle Butter into your tattoo until it’s fully covered with a slight sheen. It should not feel greasy or thick.
Excess Ointment Check: To ensure you’ve used just the right amount, use a clean, dry finger to gently swipe across the tattoo. If there’s a noticeable amount of ointment on your finger, you’ve used too much. Wipe off the excess with a clean paper towel.
Debris Removal: If you notice small debris stuck to the Hustle Butter, try to gently rub it away. If it doesn’t come off easily after a few tries, leave it and it will be removed during your next wash.

Hustle Butter Application Routine

Consistency is key. Regular application of Hustle Butter will keep your tattoo moisturized, promote healing, and reduce scabbing.

Recommended Routine:

Apply Hustle Butter every 6-8 hours, approximately three times a day, for 10-14 days. A sample routine that many find effective is:

Morning: Upon waking, wash your tattoo following the cleaning instructions above. Air dry, then apply Hustle Butter as part of your morning routine.
Lunchtime: Wash your tattoo again, air dry, and reapply Hustle Butter.
Evening: About an hour before bedtime, repeat the washing, air drying, and Hustle Butter application.

Showering with a New Tattoo:

Limit Water Exposure: Keep showers brief and avoid prolonged water contact on your tattoo.
Indirect Water Flow: Do not let the shower stream hit your tattoo directly.
Use Tattoo Soap: Bring your designated tattoo soap into the shower and wash your tattoo as you would outside the shower – gently and quickly.
Pat Dry: After showering, gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel. Avoid rubbing. Air drying afterward is still beneficial.

Managing Scabbing and Itching

Around day 3-5, scabbing is a normal part of the tattoo healing process.

Scab Management:

Do Not Pick: Resist the urge to pick at scabs. Picking can pull out ink, leading to patchy healed tattoos and potential scarring. Let scabs fall off naturally.
Moisturize Appropriately: Continue to use Hustle Butter to keep the area moisturized, which helps prevent scabs from becoming overly dry and cracking. However, avoid over-moisturizing to prevent scabs from becoming soggy, which is also detrimental.

Itching Relief:

Avoid Scratching: Itching is common and can sometimes be intense. Do not scratch your tattoo! Scratching can damage the healing skin and introduce bacteria.
Gentle Slapping: If itching becomes unbearable, lightly slapping the itchy area can provide some relief without damaging your tattoo.

Sun and Exposure Protection

Protecting your healing tattoo from the sun and potential irritants is crucial.

Sun Protection: For the entire healing period, if you must be outside, cover your tattoo with loose, protective clothing to completely block sunlight. Sun exposure can fade new tattoos significantly.
Exposure to Damage: If your work or activities might expose your tattoo to potential damage or irritants, ensure it remains covered by clothing.

Dealing with Shiny or Faded Appearance

In the days immediately following the completion of the healing process, your tattoo might appear shiny or slightly faded.

Normal Appearance: This is completely normal. The skin is still settling and regenerating.
Allow Time to Settle: Give your tattoo a little time to fully settle. The colors will regain their vibrancy and the shine will subside as your skin fully recovers, revealing your beautifully healed tattoo.

Things to Avoid During Healing

To ensure optimal healing and prevent complications, avoid the following activities:

Swimming and Soaking: No baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, or any situation where your tattoo is submerged in water.
Gym and Excessive Sweating: Avoid heavy workouts that cause excessive sweating, especially in the tattooed area. Light exercise is generally okay, but avoid friction and excessive sweat. Steer clear of saunas and steam rooms.
Beach and Sun Exposure: Avoid the beach due to sun exposure and potential contamination from sand and seawater.
Rough Physical Activities: Refrain from MMA or any physical activity that could be rough on your new tattoo and cause injury or friction.

By following these Hustle Butter Tattoo Aftercare instructions, you’re setting yourself up for a beautifully healed tattoo that you can be proud of for years to come. Consistency and careful attention to these steps are your best tools for achieving vibrant, lasting tattoo art.