Xtract After Care Protocol

Step 1: FIRST 48 HOURS

Begin the following steps the morning after your Xtract removal treatment.

1.   WASH YOUR HANDS and Carefully remove your Tegaderm
2.   Gently clean the SURROUNDING area of the tattoo with sterile water wipe and a cotton swab, then allow the surrounding area to dry. (NOTE: You must NEVER wipe directly over the wound or edges – we need the “goo.” GOO is GOOD!).
3.   Once the surrounding area is clean (and the wound area still gooey) send a clear picture to your technician

NOTE* If the tattoo being removed is on a lower limb, you must include a thin layer of Xtract Heal serum in your aftercare protocol. Apply a thin layer of Heal Serum to the wound first, then apply your Repair Serum at each dressing change.

4.   Apply a very thin layer of Repair Serum to the tattoo and surrounding edges, using your clean finger.
Xtract Repair Serum has an alkaline PH, meaning it promotes ink chelation for up to 21 days while it inhibits the growth of bacteria with minimal risk of infection.
5.   If you have sensitive skin, apply a very thin layer of barrier cream to the surrounding skin with a cotton swab ONLY where the Tegaderm adhesive will be positioned. (Cavilon, A+D, Aquaphor – never Vaseline or Neosporin) This helps minimize skin aggravation by creating a barrier between the skin and adhesive.
6.   Reapply the Tegaderm dressing over the tattoo, allowing a border of at least 2cm around all edges. Do not press down on the wound as this will spread the Repair Serum underneath and limit Tegaderm adhesion. Apply Tegaderm from the bottom up, pressing only around the edges. Blot away any leakage, do not change the dressing more frequently.
7.   Repeat the above every morning and evening until your 48 hour review appointment. Be sure never to wipe away any wound goo, and send a clear photo at each dressing change.


Step 2: 48 HOUR REVIEW – 3 weeks

1.   Continue your aftercare as instructed in Step 1, changing your dressing and reapplying the Repair Serum a minimum of 2x per day. It is essential to keep the area covered until the wound is closed, and upon advisement of your technician. THIS MOIST WOUND ENVIRONMENT CONTINUES THE FADING OF YOUR PIGMENT. DO NOT GIVE UP!
2.   You will use Tegaderm dressing for the first 2-3 days (never more than 3). This dressing enables maximum absorption of Repair serum and increases ink chelation and fading!
oIn some cases, the surrounding skin can become irritated by Tegaderm. This can be minimized by using barrier cream and doing proper Tegaderm removal. However, irritation is sometimes unavoidable, and the surrounding skin can become inflamed and tender. If this occurs, you will be told to switch to using plastic (saran wrap) and silicone tape. The plastic holds the Repair against your skin, and the silicone tape keeps it relatively sealed, continuing the vital moist wound healing environment.
oIf at all possible, avoid showering until after your 48 hour wound check with your technician. When bathing, make every effort to keep the wound area DRY, as tap water contains bacteria and microorganisms. For the body, you can wrap a limb in a cast wrap or plastic garbage bag temporarily. For the brow area, consider wearing a shield/visor or asking for assistance to minimize water on your brows. If the shower water gets on your wound DO NOT RUB OR BLOT THE AREA – contact your technician immediately for advisement.
3.   After day 3 and until the wound surface has completely closed, clean the area around the wound (NEVER the good goo on the wound) 2x/day and apply a thin layer of Repair, followed by plastic wrap and silicone tape to seal the area and keep it moist. It may be helpful to GENTLY wrap some self-adhesive bandage wrap around the area to hold everything in place. Remember to send a clear photo to your technician after each dressing change.
oIf your wound is closed before 21 days, you will be advised to move onto Step 3. This will be evaluated by your artist as you send photos with each dressing change.
   •.  If your wound has not closed by 21 days post treatment, you may be told to stop covering the area and allow the wound to dry out and form a small scab. During this period, apply the Repair Serum a minimum of 3x per day.
      o.  DO NOT pick any scab that has formed.
      o.  Allow the scab to fall away naturally.
      o.  DO NOT allow the scab to get wet with any product/water apart from repair serum.


Step 3: POST 3 WEEKS (OR once the skin surface has completely healed)

•.  Once the skin surface has completely healed (as evaluated by photos you’ve sent your technician), you’ll likely be told to apply a thin layer of Repair Serum and silicone tape to the area. We encourage 24/7 wear or a minimum of 12 hours per day which can be overnight.
•.  Continue this process for up to 6 weeks or until your next treatment.

Things to EXPECT:

During treatment: While some clients are extremely comfortable, some pain is to be expected during procedure

Immediately after treatment: The area will be swollen, may feel stingy, tender and in rare cases bruising may be present

Following treatment:
   •.  Some experience minor discomfort the first 1-2 weeks of the healing process.
   •.  There may be slight swelling and redness in the immediate area or treated edges.
   •.  Due to the Vitamin C in the Repair Serum, some clients feel a temporary stinging sensation upon each application. This is normal and usually settles within 20 minutes. Occasionally a client may experience the burning sensation longer. Most clients say this tingling subsides as the days pass and the wound closes.
   •.  The treated area will ooze and look different in color. The fluid from the wound can appear thick/gooey or thin/watery and can have a white, yellow or greenish tint to it. This “goo” is essential and part of the body’s normal healing process. It is proteins, healing skin cells, and pigment that is being pulled out of the skin! It looks gooey because we are keeping it wet to keep the process going. It is very important to never wipe this good goo off of the wound during healing.
   •.  The wound will begin shrinking from the outside inwards, the new skin will appear pink and sometimes shiny.

1-2 years following treatment: New skin can appear slightly pink for up to 2 years. It is essential to keep the area protected from the sun - use Xtract Block to minimize any risk of hypo pigmentation from sun exposure post procedure. This is especially important for sensitive, fragile, or melanin-rich skin.


Client Dos and Don’ts:

DO:
   •.  Use Arnica to aid in healing and discomfort
   •.  Apply Repair serum a minimum of 2x daily until your follow up appointment at 6-8 weeks
   •.  Consider Heal in addition to Repair for additional healing and prevention of moisture loss. This is essential for treatments on lower limbs or extremely fragile skin.
   •.  Elevate any limb or lower body treatment area overnight and for a minimum of 10 minutes every 2 hours for first week or longer.
   •.  If needed, apply a cold compress to the SURROUNDING area for relief. Be careful not to put pressure on the wound or allow moisture into the treated area.

DO NOT:
   •.  Do NOT stop the moist wound healing (bandages) until directed by your technician. STOPPING THE MOIST WOUND HEAL EARLY STOPS THE INK CHELATION/REMOVAL PROCESS.
   •.  Do NOT apply any topicals besides Xtract Repair Serum to the wound, unless expressly preapproved by your technician. No makeup, moisturizer, cleansers, ointments or any other topical products should be applied on or around the area until the skin is completely healed at 21 days, or under the advisement of your technician.
   •.  Do NOT take anti-inflammatories or pain killers that interfere with the body’s natural immune response and inflammation for at least 1 week unless required by your physician.
   •.  Do NOT Engage in physical activity that can cause perspiration, sweating or exposure the wound to water. This includes hot tubs and saunas. These must be avoided until the skin heals over. (in approximately 2-3 weeks).
   •.  Do NOT pick at the area or any scab that may form, this can cause scarring and less ink removal.
   •.  Do NOT wipe directly over the wound when cleaning the area, this will remove vital moisture and good goo proteins needed to aid in healing, and can cause irritation and scarring.


NOTES ON XTRACT AFTERCARE

   •.  Since you will have an open wound, it is critical that you do not expose yourself to surroundings that will increase your risk of infection (swimming, lake water, high amounts of dust, or bacteria).
   •.  Remember to take pictures daily at the time of dressing change (after cleaning around the perimeter and PRIOR to applying more Repair serum. Send pictures to your Xtract technician. This will allow your technician to advise you on the next step of your wound care.
   •.  You must continue moist wound covering with Repair 24/7 until the wound has closed. This allows the serum to penetrate more deeply, keeping the cells more pliable therefore encouraging more ink to be released. STOPPING THE MOIST WOUND HEAL/BANDAGES EARLY STOPS THE INK CHELATION/REMOVAL PROCESS.
   •.  To maintain the required moist wound care environment, use only the included after care bandaging or medical grade Tegaderm, saran plastic wrap, and silicone tape or sheets. Do not move to the next type of wound covering until advised by your technician. This is why photos at every dressing change are essential.
   •.  If your tattoo is located in an area with friction, you can secure your bandages with medical tape, ace bandage, Tegaderm or cohesive bandage to keep it in place. Your technician can help choose the best option. If your tattoo is located on a finger, wearing a nitrile glove may be necessary through the healing process.