Aftercare Instructions
Tattoos are superficial wounds where pigment is deposited into the dermis and immune system cells called macrophages retain the ink in place.
This page is only intended as a general guideline. If you have any questions, allergies, or concerns, please discuss it with your artist!
CLEANING YOUR TATTOO:
Traditional Aftercare
A clean tattoo is the most important of ANY aftercare. During the first few days of having a new tattoo, you may experience weeping of plasma, blood, and residual ink. These fluids, if allowed to remain or dry to the skin for an extended period, may cause significant healing issues.
The goal of healing your tattoo is to allow the damaged skin to regenerate without creating large scabs, keeping it from infection.
-Clean your tattoo with warm water and an unscented antimicrobial liquid soap. Dial is the most readily available!
-Rinse your tattoo with cool water, making sure the tattoo area is completely free of any buildup or residue.
-Pat the tattoo dry with a clean, disposable towel and allow to air dry completely before any ointments, lotions, or other steps are taken.
USING OINTMENTS OR TOPICAL BALMS AND CREAMS:
The list of available ointments is huge! Please discuss with your artist what they recommend or what you intend on using.
-Any ointment applied should NOT contain petroleum
-Make sure you do not have an allergy to any product recommended.
-Make sure the area is completely clean and dry before applying.
KEEPING YOUR TATTOO WRAPPED:
Generally speaking, it may be recommended to keep your tattoo under a plastic wrap for the first 24 hours, redressing it before bed and again in the morning. During this time, your skin is fairly vulnerable to bleeding and outside contaminants. If this course was suggested, please follow the previous steps before redressing.
-Do not submerge your tattoo in still water (pools, lakes, rivers, hot tubs, etc.)
-Keep your tattoo clear of pet fur, or any contact with animals.
-Be mindful of common used areas (gyms, public seating, yoga mats, etc.)
-Don’t allow others to touch your fresh tattoo.
COMMON CONCERNS AND TREATMENT:
-Unscented lotion may be applied after the initial healing (about a week)
-The sun hates your tattoo and seeks to destroy it!! Please keep it safe from UV rays.
-Light bleeding and weeping of plasma and ink may occur for the first 24-48 hours.
-The area around the tattoo may swell. This is normal and an OTC anti-inflammatory may be taken.
-Light scabbing or flaky skin is common. Please do not pick at it!
-Loss or change of pigment in small amounts is also common and may require a touch up.
DERMAL WRAP AFTERCARE
This is an adhesive bandage that is impermeable to outside contaminations and promotes a faster healing.
-Please keep your tattoo wrapped for a minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 days.
-Remove your bandage in the shower by gently and slowly rolling it off.
-Thoroughly clean the tattoo after removing the bandage, removing any residual adhesives or fluids.
-Ointment and lotion can be applied if desired AFTER the bandage has been removed and the area cleaned.
BANDAGE CONCERNS AND EXCEPTIONS:
-This aftercare should not be applied if you have a known allergy to adhesives. (Allergic reactions present as a red or severely inflamed area bordering the bandage)
-Excessive moisture under the bandage (sweating, swimming, baths, etc.) can disrupt the healing and potentially cause irritation.
-Plasma, blood and excess ink may be present or build up during the healing process. Although it is gross, it is not causing any harm.
If you are experiencing an allergic reaction, please remove the bandage as described above and refer to the page above for traditional aftercare!
RE-DRESSING YOUR BANDAGE:
-If your bandage has peeled back enough to expose the tattoo before the 3 day minimum, or if the fluid build up is severely leaking, you may need to re-dress your tattoo.
-Remove the bandage entirely and clean the area thoroughly.
-Make sure the skin is completely clean and dry before applying a new bandage.
-Continue to keep your tattoo wrapped in a dermal adhesive bandage for the remainder of the recommended time.