Aftercare
Please refer to the instructions below to ensure that your tattoo heals properly.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the healing of your tattoo, please contact me through your appointment chat, or reach out through my contact form.
Traditional Healing
** Leave bandage on for about 2-4 hours.
** Always wash your hands before touching your new tattoo.
- The first 3-4 Days, wash often, 3-4 times throughout the day or whenever you see buildup forming.
- Use an antibacterial, fragrance-free soap (Liquid Gold Dial or unscented Dr. Bronner’s) and warm water using only your hands to wash your tattoo.
*Do not use washcloths or loofahs; be extra gentle when washing.
- After washing pat tattoo dry with a clean, disposable paper towel.
* Do not use a regular towel. Let air dry for 5-10 minutes.
- Apply a thin layer of unscented healing ointment to your tattoo.
* I suggest CeraVe healing ointment or BioTat Healing ointment.
* Do not smother your tattoo.
- Around the 4th day your tattoo will start to peel or flake. At this point you will switch to a gentle fragrance free lotion and keep it moisturized for the next 4 weeks. Indefinitely is best.
* I suggest Jergens or Aveeno.
Healing With Tegaderm
- Leave the bandage on for at least 3-4 days.
- After which, you will remove the bandage in the shower with hot water, pulling with the direction of hair growth.
- Wash with antibacterial, fragrance-free soap using only your hands.
- Pat tattoo dry with clean paper towel.
* Do not use a regular towel.
- Go straight to moisturizing with gentle, fragrance free lotion and keep it moisturized for the next several weeks. Indefinitely is best.
DO NOT:
- You should avoid direct sun exposure on your new tattoo.
- Do not soak your tattoo, avoid swimming for 2 weeks after a tattoo.
- Do not pick, peel, or scratch your new tattoo. This often pulls the scabs prematurely, taking the ink underneath the skin with it and causes gaps in your healed tattoo.
- Keep your tattoo away from pet dander, the number one cause of tattoo infections, while healing. This means to keep your bedsheets clean, and keep from allowing pets to mess with or lay on the tattooed area.
- If you frequent the gym, place a layer of saran wrap over your tattoo for the first week of healing when you are at the gym. Do not leave the wrap on for longer than 1-2 hours, and clean the tattoo well after your work out.
- Do not pop any bubbles (ink sacks), they are normal.
- If there is any irritation (redness, bumps not on the tattoo, etc.) remove the bandage immediately. Then follow Traditional Healing aftercare instructions above.
- If there is still adhesive residue after removing the bandage do not worry, it will come off after a few washes. Do not use abrasives or rubbing alcohol to attempt to remove.