TATTOO AFTERCARE

  • SECOND SKIN

    This is a clear biofilm that is adhered to your skin.

    Leave your bandage on for 2-4 days. You may wear whatever clothes you’d like, shower, work out, etc. Fluid is meant to get trapped underneath. Any amount of fluid is okay, even if it seems like a lot!

    • Please remove your bandage sooner than the allotted time if there is fluid escaping from underneath, things are getting into the bandage, or the tattoo is exposed in any way. Do this in a CLEAN ENVIRONMENT as soon as you are able!

    • If the bandage comes off early, follow the TEMPORARY BANDAGE aftercare instructions once the bandage is removed!

    Before you remove your bandage, change your bed sheets!

    After 2-4 days, remove your second skin (ideally in the shower) like you would a command strip. STRETCH, don’t yank. Take your time with it. You will not bandage your tattoo again after this point.

    WASHING

    Once your tattoo is uncovered, wash it with clean hands, using warm to hot water and liquid soap that is unscented (and can be antibacterial as well) such as Dial, Dr. Bronner’s, etc. You may pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel.

    • Stay away from body washes and bar soaps

    • Do not dry your tattoo with a bath towel or wash cloth

    Please wash your tattoo at least twice a day, more if you work in an environment that calls for more washes, or you have pets.

    MOISTURIZING

    In the days following, your tattoo will begin to grow a new layer of skin over top of the pigment, and will go through a couple of phases. Some of these phases are dry and itchy.

    Moisturize your tattoo when it is actively bothering you. If it is physically itchy or appears dry, use a thin layer of unscented, non-petroleum based lotion, or an approved tattoo balm such as Aveeno, Jergens, Toad + Turnip, Vitalitree, etc. If it is not bothering you, don’t bother it!

    • Do not use Aquaphor, A+D, coconut oil, or essential oils

    • Never leave a visible residue on the skin. Always rub it into the skin. If you can see it, you are adding TOO MUCH and might have significant healing problems as a result!

    FOR TWO WEEKS

    Continue washing your tattoo twice a day, and applying moisturizer as needed.

    • Do not scratch your tattoo. If your tattoo is itchy, you may slap it or apply more moisturizer

    • Do not expose your tattoo to the sun!

    • DO NOT SUBMERGE YOUR TATTOO IN WATER. No baths, pools, hot tubs, lakes, or saunas!

    The list above is not only to set your healing up for success, but to keep you safe! Losing out on two weeks of fun is not worth risking your health over!

    AFTER TWO WEEKS

    Your tattoo may still be dry. Apply moisturizer as needed.

    As long as there are no SCABS (raised, hard, discolored), feel free to resume swimming, and apply sunscreen to protect your investment!

    If you have any questions during healing, feel free to drop me an email, or you may also email or call the shop!

    Happy healing!

  • TEMPORARY BANDAGES

    This will be either saran wrap or a black dry-lock pad, secured to your skin with either clear surgical tape or coban wrap.

    This bandage is meant to get you home or through your day clean and safely. This bandage must come off before you go to sleep at night. You will not bandage your tattoo again after this point.

    Before anything, make sure that your bed has clean sheets and linens on it!

    When you are in a clean environment to do so and are ready to take care of your tattoo, wash your hands with soap, and then remove the bandage.

    WASHING

    Once your tattoo is uncovered, get in the shower that is on the hotter side of warm, but still comfortable enough. You may work up to a hot/warm temperature while you are there.

    Wash it with clean hands, using warm to hot water and liquid soap that is unscented (and can be antibacterial as well) such as Dial, Dr. Bronner’s, etc. Let hot water run over your tattoo for at least five minutes (doesn’t have to be consecutive). You may pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel.

    • Stay away from body washes and bar soaps

    • Do not dry your tattoo with a bath towel or wash cloth

    Please wash your tattoo at least twice a day, more if you work in an environment that calls for more washes, or you have pets.

    Keep up with the hot shower routine until your tattoo begins to become dry, as the new skin grows over it.

    MOISTURIZING

    In the days following, your tattoo will begin to grow a new layer of skin over top of the pigment, and will go through a couple of phases. Some of these phases are dry and itchy. When healing manually, wait until the tattoo is VISIBLY DRY to apply a lotion product. A healing balm may be applied as soon as the tattoo is unwrapped.

    Moisturize your tattoo when it is actively bothering you. If it is physically itchy or appears dry, use a thin layer of unscented, non-petroleum based lotion, or an approved tattoo balm such as Aveeno, Jergens, Toad + Turnip, Vitalitree, etc. If it is not bothering you, don’t bother it!

    • Do not use Aquaphor, A+D, coconut oil, or essential oils

    • Never leave a visible residue on the skin. Always rub it into the skin. If you can see it, you are adding TOO MUCH and might have significant healing problems as a result!

    FOR TWO WEEKS

    Continue washing your tattoo twice a day, and applying moisturizer as needed.

    • Do not scratch your tattoo. If your tattoo is itchy, you may slap it or apply more moisturizer

    • Do not expose your tattoo to the sun!

    • DO NOT SUBMERGE YOUR TATTOO IN WATER. No baths, pools, hot tubs, lakes, or saunas!

    The list above is not only to set your healing up for success, but to keep you safe! Losing out on two weeks of fun is not worth risking your health over!

    AFTER TWO WEEKS

    Your tattoo may still be dry. Apply moisturizer as needed. As long as there are no SCABS (raised, hard, discolored), feel free to resume swimming, and apply sunscreen to protect your investment!

    If you have any questions during healing, feel free to drop me an email, or you may also email or call the shop!

    Happy healing!

  • A touch up is considered as a small area, or collection of areas of the tattoo, where it needs a little love. Whether the ink didn’t take, the spot healed out patchy, or your dog scratched it while it was healing, I guarantee all of my work!

    As long as you reach out to me within a year of your original tattoo date, I will do a free touch up! Just drop me a follow-up email on our original tattoo thread with a photo of the “problem” spot, and we can set you up.

    Remember: Needing a touch up is NOT a personal failure, it is a part of the process! Do not hesitate to reach out if you think you need one!

Have an aftercare question? Let me help!