Aftercare.
Now it’s your turn to take care of your tattoo!
Removing Your Bandage.
You have the option of having: Recovery+ Derm Shield (Matte), Second Skin (Shiny) brand bandages, or non-woven cotton gauze to cover your tattoo when you leave the shop.
Leave your bandage on for at least 24 hours.
If you notice the bandage starts to "crepe” with sweat or if it rips, tears, or starts to leak - remove and clean the tattoo and surrounding area.
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 at it. Your tattoo will be sore, be gentle with it. 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 stretchy edges. 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 freshly tattooed skin.
Those with sensitive skin, elastic skin, or adhesive sensitivity may experience additional skin irritation at the edges of the bandage - this is fairly common.
Washing Your Tattoo.
Your skin will feel tender, swollen, and red once it starts to touch the air. In the shower wash your tattoo with scent-free liquid soap. No bar soap. Please be sure to remove all adhesive from your skin. Residual adhesive can cause minor irritation, but should clear up in a few days as the skin heals.
With your hands, create a soapy lather. Wash the tattoo + surrounding area thoroughly, at least count to 100. Be sure to get the areas of normal skin that the bandage covered (adhesive can build up here).
Air dry your tattoo or use a freshly clean cotton t-shirt or towel. 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.
Moisturizing Your Tattoo.
Use a natural Body Butter or an Unscented Lotion. Make sure your skin has absorbed it well, you do not need a thick layer. Reapply daily or whenever your tattoo is itchy or dry to help soothe the skin and help it shed the scabbing. I recommend plain Cocoa Butter. I don’t recommend Aquaphor or Vaseline.
Fresh Tattoo Aftercare Rules:
24hrs: Avoid unnecessary blood thinners (alcohol, ibuprofen, etc.) 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 or overusing the area (elbow, knee, foot, etc.) You can gently ice the tattoo, be sure to put cloth over the ice source as to not shock the skin. Try to keep the area relaxed. Avoid sunlight on the tattoo and wear loose, non-constricting clothing. Do not fully submerge your tattoo in any water.
*Change your bedsheets to clean ones before sleeping with an open, tender tattoo*
*Only wear clean clothes over an open tattoo, it is a wound and the clothes are the bandage covering - do not give yourself and infection*
First 3 days: Do not touch your tattoo while the skin is closing and healing. Only touch your tattoo when you are washing it. Touching it won’t make it heal faster, it’s supposed to hurt for a bit as your body takes care of itself. Eat nourishing meals and be sure to drink extra water. Staying hydrated will help the body circulate the swelling and will make recovery more comfortable. Try to avoid daily overuse of the area to reduce strain, avoid bumps + scratches, and be mindful of daily grime build up.
First Week: Once the skin closes your skin will start to feel tight as it begins to scab over. It will start to not feel as tender to touch but do not be mistaken, you must continue to be gentle with the skin as it scabs. You want to let it shed naturally, picking or peeling at scabs can pull the ink out of the skin. Do not touch or itch the skin, you could inadvertently cause hyperpigmentation, alter the artwork, or form scarring on/around the tattoo. Moisturize frequently daily to help the dead skin shed. Also, preemptive exposure to sun could cause photosensitivity to develop on the tattoo.
*Your tattoo should be healed after one week, but should still be treated tenderly for the following week to ensure it settles well under the skin*
Two Weeks: Continue to wash and moisturize your tattoo daily, avoid itching, picking, or scratching, as well as direct sunlight. You may apply sunscreen once the skin has closed. Do not exfoliate, shave, or self tan over your tattoo as it naturally sheds the scabs.