Tattoo Healing and Aftercare

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Now that you have a permanent piece of art displayed on your body, its time to take care of it so it heals just as beautifully as it was meant to be. Get the best results and avoid infection and scarring by following these steps.

TRADITIONAL BANDAGE

1. Leave your bandage on overnight or for as long as 24 hours. This allows the bandage to collect any excess plasma, blood, or inflammatory fluid.
2. Clean/change your sheets before you go to bed the first night with your new tattoo! We want to protect your fresh work from any old dead skin cells, animal dander, or cookie crumbs (I see you midnight snackers) that might be lingering in the folds of the covers. Additionally, try to use sheets you don’t care for in case your bandage leaks.
3. Upon removal of the bandage the next day, clean it gently with lukewarm water and a mild, unscented antibacterial soap, such as Gold Dial. No need for hot water, we don’t want to burn your tattoo or cause further irritation. Pat dry with a clean, disposable paper, don’t rub or scrub it. We don’t want to use the same hand towel hanging up next to the sink that everyone else has already put their grubby mitts on before you, ew!
4. Do NOT re-bandage. For the first three days, you’ll be letting the tattoo “dry out” and washing it as instructed above two-three times a day.
5. On the fourth day, you may begin lightly moisturizing the tattoo with a clean and simple moisturizer free of dyes and perfumes. Most people recommend Ce raVe, Aquaphor, Curel, or Nivea. Avoid using Neosporin or a heavy petroleum that doesn’t absorb into the skin. You don’t want to soak the tattoo, just lightly moisten it as needed to prevent dryness and cracking. You can repeat this process as needed for the first 2-4 weeks as needed until the tattoo is fully healed.

TRANSPARENT ADHESIVE BANDAGES*

Otherwise known as Saniderm, Tegaderm, Second Skin, View Guard, etc.

1. Leave your transparent adhesive bandage on for no less than 3 days and no more than 6 days. 
2. After the initial few days, or if it begins to peel off on it’s own, you may slowly remove the bandage under running water by peeling it downward along your body and allowing the water to break down the adhesive.
3. After the bandage is removed, wash your new tattoo with a mild antibacterial soap and pat dry with a clean, disposable paper towel.
4. You may begin applying a thin layer of an unscented moisturizer for the next two weeks as needed or until fully healed.

            *Some people experience an adverse reaction to the adhesives on these bandages. If you experience any excessive itchiness, a ‘rashy’ appearance, or a burning sensation, feel free to remove the bandage and heal your tattoo like you would if you used a traditional bandage.

REMEMBER!!

• Always wash your hands before touching your new tattoo and never wash your tattoo with a rag, towel, or brush, or loofa. These materials are too harsh and may irritate or damage your healing tattoo.
• Swelling, scabbing, bleeding, and even bruising are completely normal reactions to trauma. Everyone’s body reacts to a tattoo procedure differently, so you may experience many or none of these. It is all temporary and will go away as the tattoo heals.
• Don’t scratch that itch! During the scabbing/peeling process, a tattoo can become itchy, but it’s important not to scratch so you wont accidentally damage the healing skin. One common way to relieve the itch is to gently slap the area of the tattoo.
• Too much moisture can suffocate the healing tattoo and create a thriving environment for bacterial growth. Make sure that your moisturizer is thinly applied and let the skin breathe.
• Keep your healing tattoo away from any animal dander, dead skin, or bodily fluids and clean your bed sheets regularly!
• NEVER apply Neosporin or Vaseline or other petroleum based products. They have a purpose in wound care, but are NOT for healing tattoos!

Happy healing!