Aftercare

For standard tattoo after care that is bandaged with ointment.

Keep your bandage on overnight as long as the bandage stays in place and is comfortable.

If you need to remove the bandage before going to sleep, …

Start by washing your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap. Use a clean towel or paper towel to dry your hands. On your first night, there’s a chance your tattoo will still bleed. The blood can dry overnight and stick to your clothes or bedding. If this happens, gently take the fabric off. DO NOT force it off or be rough with it. If it still does not come off, wet the area with lukewarm water and gently slide it off.

Fresh tattoos sometimes “weep” during the first couple of days, meaning that plasma and ink form a thin moist coating on the skin. This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel. Press the paper towel to the skin and remove. Do not wipe the tattoo or be rough with it. Do not be alarmed if you see the colors of the tattoo on the paper towel, or on your hands as you clean it. This is simply excess ink being secreted from the surface or the skin.

To avoid stains, use towels and bedsheets with darker tones and wear dark clothing.

If you remove the bandage the next morning…

Begin by washing your hands as stated above. Carefully remove tape or bandage wrap and the underlying bandaging material from the tattoo. If you feel the bandage sticking to the tattoo, wet it with lukewarm water and gently slide it off. Do NOT submerge the tattoo under water or in a bath tub. Lather your hands with soap and warm water and gently clean the tattoo using circular motions with your palm. Do NOT use a washcloth, sponge or scrub anything on a fresh tattoo. Once you have cleaned the tattoo, rinse the soap off with warm water. Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel then allow to fully air dry. Once the tattoo is dry, apply a very small amount of Name brand Aquaphor or A & D Ointment. (A tube of ointment is recommended over a jar for sanitary purposes) A chapstick-thin layer is good, do not over saturate the tattoo with a heavy layer of Ointment, as this will stifle the healing process. Your goal is to keep the tattoo moisturized so it doesn’t dry out, but thin enough for your skin to still breathe. Less is more. Clean your tattoo this way daily for the first 5-7 days. You can reapply ointment periodically if you feel the tattoo has dried out, or if you have to wash the area for any reason. Everyone heals at a different rate. Once your tattoo begins to flake and exfoliate, similar to a sun burn, allow this process to happen naturally. Do not pick at any scabs or force flakes of skin off beyond standard washing. Usually the flakes will come off within about 2 days. At this point you can transition to a fragrance-free lotion. Aveeno, Cetaphil and Eucerin fragrance-free lotions are recommended. Similar to the ointment, only apply a thin amount, and reapply as needed. You can continue using lotion for 2-weeks. If the tattoo is very itchy as it heals, do not scratch. Tap or gently slap the tattoo with your hand. Lotion will help with the itch, so keep a travel size tube with you if needed. Scabs and slow to heal areas will eventually dissipate. Be patient.

Do’s and Dont’s:

Clean towels, bedding and clothes are highly recommended during the healing process.
Showering is fine, however, please DO NOT soak your tattoo for at least 2 weeks. This means no swimming, baths or submerging your tattoo in water for long periods of time.
Avoid direct sunlight on your tattoo for at least 2 weeks and your tattoo is completely healed. After the tattoo is fully healed, we advise putting on a sunblock (minimum SPF 50) on your tattoo whenever you find yourself in direct sunlight for the life of the tattoo. The sun will undoubtedly cause damage and compromise the longevity of your tattoo.
Wear loose clothing (preferably cotton) and avoid constricting accessories like bra straps and tight waistbands over a fresh tattoo. Avoid dirty, sweaty or itchy clothing as they can create healing problems. Refrain from work outs the first few days, and shower or wash any sweat off as soon as possible once your resume exercise.
If you have pets like dogs or cats, keep them off your bedding or wash your bedding while your tattoo is healing. Pet dander and germs can cause undesirable issues. Be mindful of any surfaces you rest your tattoo on. It is advisable that your wear loose comfortable clothing if resting on a couches or surfaces that may not be easy to clean or are shared by pets.
Do not use balms, salves, home made remedies or anything other than what your artist recommends. We cannot guarantee what ingredients you may be allergic to, so if you have a reaction, discontinue application and contact your artist so they can advise you on what to do.

Healing with Saniderm, or 2nd skin products:

Keep the bandage on for 3-4 days if possible. You can shower and resume normal activities that don’t interfere with the bandage staying on. To remove Saniderm, find an edge of the bandage and pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth. The shower is the ideal place to remove Saniderm. Running water will help loosen the adhesive and relax the skin, making the removal much more comfortable. Dry removal of Saniderm may cause discomfort and added trauma to the skin.
Discard the used bandage and wash the tattoo with a mild liquid anti-bacterial soap.
Allow the tattoo to air dry or pat dry with a clean towel.
If you removed the bandage in the first 1-2 days, you can reapply a 2nd bandage. Please consult your artist about this. If your bandage isn’t staying on or comes off early, Tegaderm or similar products can often be found at a Pharmacy. Instructions on bandage application are below.

Do’s & Dont’s:

Do not reapply any more bandages after the scabbing/flaking phase of tattoo healing has begun. If you find yourself bandage-less during this phase, make sure you’re keeping the area thoroughly moisturized.
If you notice your skin getting irritated or a rash develops on the periphery of the bandage, please remove the bandage immediately. You may have a skin sensitivity to the adhesive or the bandage may be tugging on the skin causing irritation.
If there is adhesive residue leftover on the skin, or the adhesive is not loosening enough with water, coconut oil and baby oil are helpful for removal.

To reapply Saniderm:

Cut and trim Saniderm to fit around the tattoo – include an extra inch around all sides. TIP: Cutting the edges of the bandage to be round will help it adhere better and feel more comfortable.
Peel the white paper wrapping from the sticky side first and place gently over the tattoo.
Once the adhesive side of the bandage is in place, remove the see-through second layer from the top side and smooth bandage over the tattoo.
If your bandage isn’t staying on or fills up with a lot of fluid, switch over to a fragrance free-lotion after the first 24 hours. Do not attempt to bandage the tattoo again if you have already switched it out once. Reapplying the bandage more than one additional time after the initial application, can irritate the skin and do more harm than good. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your artist.