League of Permanent Cosmetic Providers
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Nothing can be more surprising or dismaying then the aftermath of faulty after care. Usually these challenges with pigment loss or infection etc. can leave the client as well as technician with the thoughts of “what went wrong?”
Sometimes you can pinpoint the culprit, at other times it not an easy answer, as it could be colors used, improper placement, incorrect needle grouping or passes placed into the skin.
The answer………..the x factor……..x equals unknown. It’s often hard to predict outcomes of procedures. Your work could just be exquisite, and BAM……what happened? The clients may or may not know, or admit too, as it could interfere with your touch up policies. 
Some factors are the following: Picking the crust off of the procedure area, washing or scrubbing the procedure area, not enough ointment, too much ointment, using products with large chemical list ( more chemicals used, more likely to pull color out!) Let us not also forget sweating, sun, pool and hot spas. This is just to start. Really the best approach is to just take it easy and follow proper aftercare instructions that all professional technicians should have and dispense after the procedure.
With the finishing of the said generated tattoo, may we suggest this is a great time to talk to your client about the correct after care protocols. Talking and in conjunction with the written protocol, this help smooth out the cases of the “YOU DIDN’T TELL ME”. This is a very common issue. I figure we can hit both birds with two stones, the spoken and written word. It’s important to confer your policies regarding any extra fees at this time, and again make sure it is written and signed off on in a clear/precise manner. The clients can still pull the “you didn’t tell me” card, however if the policy is incorporated into the short form contract, it’s not easy to wiggle out of. Tighten down the aftercare hatches, inform by strong polices and hopefully protect against any future miscommunications to minimalize confrontational issues that may come later.
We have learned through experience that we verbally go over our instructions and make the client repeat them to us. This will insure no miscommunications. We also apply petroleum to one side of the procedure area and the client applies the product to the opposite side of the procedure area.
We have on our forms for the client to sign
“We have completed our 50% of the procedure. Now it is up to you the client to complete the other 50% of the procedure. With both of us working together we will have a 100% success rate!”
Written by: Pamela Abshear CCPC, CPDA and Susan Church CCPC and CPDA
