Aftercare.
Now it’s your turn to take care of your tattoo!
Removing Your Bandage.
I use Recovery+ Derm Shield (Matte) and Second Skin (Shiny) brand bandages.
Leave your bandage on for at least 24 hours. Approaching the 24 hour mark by your own judgment you may choose to remove the bandage or keep it on for up to 3 days. For sensitive skin I recommend to take it off sooner rather than later.
If you notice the bandage starts to "crepe” with sweat or if it rips, tears, or starts to leak - remove and clean it.
Take your bandage off towards the end of your shower to help loosen the adhesive. Run water over the bandage as you gently peel/pull it down like a Command Strip. Let the bandage slowly stretch off, you don’t have to tug hard or rip it off dry. Sometimes I find it easiest to pull off the edges of the bandage first and then removing the rest of the bandage, so that it doesn’t tug at the edges on your skin. Another technique is to gently hold the skin in place above where you’re pulling the bandage off to anchor it and reduce tugging on the tattooed skin.
Those with sensitive/elastic skin or adhesive allergies may experience additional skin irritation - this is fairly common.
Washing Your Tattoo.
Wash your tattoo with scent-free liquid soap. No bar soap. Please be sure to remove all adhesive from your skin. Use coconut oil or cocoa butter to help remove stubborn adhesive. Residual adhesive can cause minor irritation similar to leaving a band-aid on for too long - but shouldn’t cause anything sinister.
With your hands, create a good soapy lather and clean the tattoo & surrounding area.
Dry your tattoo with a clean paper towel or let air dry. Avoid using towels with pet lint + hair. Continue to wash daily grime build-up off your fresh tattoo everyday for the first week. Be mindful of healing tattoos in areas that are frequently exposed to germs and ensure they are always clean and free of any conditions that could encourage infection. ESPECIALLY HANDS + FEET.
Do not touch your tattoo while it is healing. Only touch your tattoo with clean hands. Treat your tattoo like an open wound.
Wash your tattoo every day. Only wear clean clothes over your tattoo while it heals.
Moisturizing Your Tattoo.
Apply natural Body Butter or an Unscented Lotion. Make sure your skin has absorbed it well, you do not need a thick layer. Reapply when your tattoo is itchy/dry to help loosen the skin flakes. I have a personal preference for Cocoa Butter I find it heals/keeps my tattoos looking great. I don’t recommend Aquaphor/Vaseline.
It should just become a habit to always moisturize your skin & tattoos to keep them looking their best over time!
Two Week Rules:
Avoid direct sunlight and continue to always use sunscreen on healed tattoos. You may apply sunscreen once the skin has closed.
Avoid wearing tight or constricting clothing against the area of your fresh tattoo - avoid chaffing.
Avoid overusing the area on your fresh tattoo, be mindful of sweating and daily grime build up, as well as bumping or scratching.
You must remove your bandage after physical activity or anything that makes you sweat. This includes biking as your mode of transport. No working out for 24 hours.
Do not shave or self tan over your fresh tattoo.
Avoid unnecessary blood thinners for 24 hours.
DO NOT SUBMERGE IN WATER.
NO SAUNA / HOT TUB / HOT SPRINGS.
DO NOT PICK, ITCH, SCRATCH, RUB, OR IRRITATE THE TATTOO LOCATION - THIS IS THE ONE THAT WILL RUIN IT, ESPECIALLY FINE LINE TATTOOS.
NO DIRTY CLOTHES ON OR OVER TATTOO. ONLY FRESH CLOTHES. YOU WILL GIVE YOURSELF AN INFECTION.
If you experience irritation after removing your bandage, don’t touch it, let your tattoo get some fresh air, and wear loose, clean cotton clothing over it.
Redness is normal after bandage removal, your tattoo should be healed after one week, but should be treated tenderly for the following week to ensure it settles well under the skin.