Tattoo Aftercare

Second Skin Method

With your bandage, try to leave that on for 2-3 days if possible.  The longer you can leave it on the better it will heal! It is water resistant so you can shower with it a few time, just do not submerge it fully in a pool, bath, or hot tub, etc. This bandage helps skip that scabbing phase and go straight into the flaking phase which is ideal for minimal ink loss. (If it comes off earlier that is okay as well, just clean it with the following procedure and DO NOT put a new bandage on) 

It is always best to remove the bandage in the shower when you are ready, start from the bottom and pull DOWN and AWAY (this like removing a command strip from the wall). Don't rip from the top down because the will hurt way more than it needs to! 

Once the bandage is removed, gently wash the tattoo with warm water and UNSCENTED ANTIBACTERIAL soap, Liquid Gold Dial Hand Soap is always the best (bars can harbor bacteria so use a fresh one with each use). Wash it ONCE, then use and UNSCENTED LOTION once or twice a day for 2 weeks until healed. You will need less lotion than you think!! A very small amount as to not over moisturize and cause infections and ink loss. DO NOT USE AQUAPHOR, A&D OINTMENT, VASELINE, NEOSPOREN, BATH AND BODYWORKS or anything other than  unscented lotion. These thick products can cause infection due to over moisturizing very easily, the bandage takes care of most of the healing so you do not need anything that thick!!!

If you experience irritation, redness, excess itchiness, please remove the bandage immediately, report this to your artist, and seek medical attention if necessary.  

Please refrain from swimming, tanning, or fully submerging the tattoo for long periods or time for at least 2 weeks while it heals. Tattoos are large open wounds and you need to treat it as such! ♡

Traditional Method

If you are unable to use the second skin method, you will be given a temporary wrap that will cover your tattoo for no more the 6 hours. Once the bandage is removed, gently wash the tattoo with warm water and UNSCENTED ANTIBACTERIAL soap, Liquid Gold Dial Hand Soap is always the best (bars can harbor bacteria so use a fresh one with each use). Wash it ONCE, then let the piece air dry for 10ish minutes. Once dry, use a VERY small amoutn of aquaphor/a&d ointment ( do NOT use Vaseline or Neosporen), and leave uncovered. Do not recover the tattoo once the initial bandage is removed, this can trap moisture and bacteria and cause infection. After the first day or so, switch over to an UNSCENTED LOTION once or twice a day for 2 weeks until healed. You will need less lotion than you think!! A very small amount as to not over moisturize and cause infections and ink loss.

If you experience irritation, redness, excess itchiness, please remove the bandage immediately, report this to your artist, and seek medical attention if necessary.  

Please refrain from swimming, tanning, or fully submerging the tattoo for long periods or time for at least 2 weeks while it heals. Tattoos are large open wounds and you need to treat it as such! ♡