Basic Tattoo Aftercare

Leave the wrap that you were wrapped in after the tattoo on for up to 2 hours before removing it.

Tattoos will ooze (especially with color), this is a normal part of the healing process.

Make sure your hands are always clean and washed before touching and handling your new tattoo

After removing your bandage, clean the tattooed area with an unscented antibacterial soap (ex: Dial Gold) and warm water. Dry the tattooed area by gently padding it with a clean, sterile PAPER towel. Let the tattoo dry completely for about 10-20 minutes. Apply a THIN layer of Aquaphor or other artist approved ointment. Do not cake on ointment, if your tattoo is shiny, there is too much ointment.

DO NOT REBANDAGE AFTER THIS.

Repeat the above steps for 3-4 days, approximately 3-5 times a day, or as directed by your artist.

After 3-4 days, start applying an unscented lotion such as Lubriderm to moisturize your tattoo. You may notice some peeling, itching and even some scabbing, DO NOT SCRATCH OR PICK AT YOUR TATTOO! This is a normal part of the healing process, and it’s at the end of the healing stage.

DO NOT

DO NOT go swimming or submerge your tattoo in any bodies of water (this includes hot tubs, pools, lakes, rivers, oceans, or baths!)

DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide or neosporin

DO NOT use regular towels to clean and dry. Normal towels are too abrasive for your healing tattoo and can harbor bacteria

DO NOT Itch, pick or scratch your tattoo! This can rip and pull ink out of the tattoo and leave it at risk for infection

DO NOT smother your tattoo with ointment! This can suffocate the tattoo and draw ink out of the tattoo

DO NOT participate in activities that’ll make you sweat a lot (such as going to the gym)

DO NOT stay in the sun for long periods of time with a fresh tattoo

The artist will put on a second skin bandage on your new tattoo. Recovery is the brand of second skin I use, sine it is Latex free!

Yes you can still shower with it on! But do not submerge in a bath or any other body of water.

Usually I recommend to leave the piece you left with on for 24 hours. The tattoo will bleed and ooze underneath the second skin, this is completely normal!

After the 24 hour mark, you will remove the second skin, and wash it under warm water and unscented antibacterial soap. Gently peel back a corner and pull down. DO NOT RIP IT OFF. Once off, clean your tattoo with the soap and water. Pat gently with a clean PAPER towel to dry excess water. Let air dry for 10-20 minutes. With clean hands, apply the other piece(s) of second skin (depending on the placement of your new tattoo, you might need help applying the new second skin) on the tattoo. Leave this new second skin on for 5-7 days.

For larger full saturated color pieces, you will likely bleed and ooze more. If this happens and you leak or your second skin slips off, change it out and put a new piece on. Make sure to always clean your tattoo in between second skin changes.

after the 5-7 days is up, take the second skin off the same way you did for the 24 hour piece, and wash. Pat dry and start using an unscented lotion, such as Lubriderm to moisturize. You may notice some peeling, DO NOT pick or scratch.

Please contact your artist if you have any questions or concerns about your new tattoo.

If you notice extreme redness and swelling, worsening pain, or yellow pus filled sores, seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY and inform your artist