Aftercare.
Now it’s your turn to take care of your tattoo!
Bandaging Care...
I use Recovery+ Derm Shield brand bandages.
Leave your bandage on for at least 24 hours. Approaching the 24 hour mark you may by your own judgment you choose to remove it. I recommend for sensitive skin to take it off sooner rather than later.
If you notice the bandage starts to "crepe” with sweat, if it rips/tears, or starts to leak - take it off and wash your tattoo with scent-free liquid soap.
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.
Those with highly sensitive skin or adhesive allergies may experience minor irritation from prolonged exposure to the adhesive - this is fairly common as brands change their formulas frequently. Please be sure to remove ALL adhesive from your skin. Use clean coconut oil or cocoa butter to help remove stubborn adhesive, then continue to wash and moisturize as normal.
Washing Your Tattoo.
Wash your tattoo with scent-free liquid soap. NO bar soap. Be sure to remove all traces of adhesive on the skin, it is important to make sure all the adhesive is off of your skin.
Residual adhesive can cause minor irritation similar to leaving a band-aid on for too long - but shouldn’t cause anything sinister. Skin can get upset if you do not remove all of the adhesive off your skin, if this happens use a bit of shea or cocoa butter or some clean coconut oil to help remove the sticky residue and then wash again.
Dry your tattoo with a clean paper towel or let air dry. Continue to wash your fresh tattoo whenever it gets dirty and as it develops daily grime buildup. Be aware and 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.
Be mindful of daily grime build-up on your tattoo during the summer.
Be mindful that your daily-wear jackets & jeans have grime build-up inside, so please wear clean clothes over the tattoo while it is healing.
Do not touch your tattoo while it is healing. Only touch your tattoo with clean hands. Treat your tattoo like an open wound because it is.
Moisturizing Your Tattoo (detailed).
Apply enough Cocoa Butter or an Unscented Lotion to cover the tattoo and the surrounding area. Make sure your skin has absorbed it well, you do not need a thick layer. Reapply when your tattoo is itchy 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. Be sure to apply your moisturizer at least twice a day for at least two weeks. It should just become a habit to always moisturize your skin & tattoos to keep them looking their best over time!
For 2 Weeks:
Keep the area well moisturized to aid in healing.
Avoid direct sunlight and continue to always use sunscreen on healed tattoos.
Avoid wearing tight or constricting clothing against the area of your fresh tattoo - no chaffing.
Avoid overusing the area on your fresh tattoo, be mindful of sweating and daily grime build up, as well as bumping or scratching.
Do not shave over your fresh tattoo.
Avoid blood thinners for 24 hours.
DO NOT SUBMERGE IN ANY 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.