aftercare

• Keep your new tattoo covered with the bandage that was initially put on your tattoo for at least an hour. (this does not apply to saniderm/second skin if you chose that) After the bandage has been removed, do NOT apply an additional wrap or bandage.

• Wash your hands before cleaning or touching your tattoo for any reason.

• Use only fragrance free, antibacterial soap to wash the area. Use lukewarm water and pat it dry with a paper towel or air dry. Be sure to clean it enough to get any fluid/plasma off the skin for the first couple of days. Plasma buildup causes scabbing.

• Aquaphor as needed once completely dry. Use only a THIN layer at a time so the tattoo is still able to breathe.

• Keep it clean and out of contact with contaminants.

• Take cool showers (scalding hot water can fade the ink and it doesn’t feel good on a new tat)

• After the tattoo has healed (2 full weeks minimum) you will need to continue taking care of it. Always apply sunscreen on your tattoo, especially in the summer, to keep the colors bright. Choose a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher for best protection.

• Moisturize your tattoo, especially if it’s on an area of your body, such as your hands, where it can fade quickly.

• After the wrap has been removed, do NOT apply an additional wrap or bandage.

• Don’t use reusable towels to clean your tattoo as they could trap germs in their fabric

• Do not break a heavy sweat for at least 72 hours after getting tattooed. Sweaty activities include: working out, gyms, yoga, climbing, summer sports, winter sports, saunas, sweat lodges, etc.

• Don’t let plasma dry on the skin, this causes scabbing which can lead to longer healing time

• Do not use products such as Neosporin, aloe vera, Lubriderm Intensive Care, etc.

• Do not use wash cloths, loofahs, sponges etc. to clean your tattoo

• DON’T pick, scratch, or peel your tattoo

• Avoid swimming and the sun for 2 weeks minimum. You want to keep your tattoo dry and out of direct sun

• Avoid wearing tight clothing

• Avoid products that you are sensitive to and do not over-do it with lotions/creams/ointment (any product applied should be used sparingly)

• void taking advice from anyone other than your tattoo artist

• Don’t overthink it, your skin is meant to heal itself, your job is mainly to prevent it from getting an infection :)

Tattoos take between 2-4 weeks to fully heal. The first few days your tattoo will be red, irritated, swollen, warm-to-the-touch, and possibly bruised; this is all normal. It is also normal for some of the ink to collect under the bandage or blot off onto your towel after a shower. By the 4th or 5th day into the healing process your tattoo will begin to flake and peel. It is

very

important that you do not pick or scratch at it! After the flaking is done the skin will look shiny for a few weeks.

Avoid companies that make bold claims about reverse aging, or wound healing miracle cures, they are most likely embellishing what their product can do to increase sales. Science has shown us that our body has a fantastic ability to heal itself, regardless of our interference. Basically there is no special cream that is going to magically heal your tattoo so don’t waste your money or risk putting new products on your skin that your body has not adapted to. ESPECIALLY if you have sensitive skin!

Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and it acts as a barrier to the dangerous, pathogenic environment that surrounds us. Getting tattooed damages your skin and therefore damages your skin’s natural ability to hydrate itself. This is why hydration is important in aftercare.

• On the 4th day of healing, switch to lotion. You don’t need to use aquaphor at this point. If your tattoo doesn’t seem excessively dry, moisturize about twice a day. If you’re struggling with heavy dryness/peeling/itchiness, you can moisturize about 3-4 times a day.

• Don’t over moisturize! Putting on too much product will increase the cellular turnover rate of your skin. It can also increase the chances of you picking up an infection because you keep touching your tattoo. This will make the healing time extend past what is considered normal. When applying, moisturize the entire body part that has been tattooed, not just the tattoo itself. Example – if you have a tattoo on the inside of your forearm you should moisturize the entire forearm.

Occlusives (Aquaphor, A&D Ointment):

Usually an oil or wax-based moisturizer that is applied to the skin. It acts in a way that stops the skin losing moisture due to evaporation by creating a barrier on the skin. should be used sparingly in THIN layers

• Pros: promotes healing

• Cons: in humid climates, they may cause excessive scabbing and delayed healing. Oily or combination skin types may be at risk of over-moisturizing and increased infection chances

Lotions, creams, and gels (Lubriderm, Cetaphil, Vaseline Intensive Care):

• Pros: Less oil in lotion means less chance of over moisturizing. Single applications are less likely to cause excessive moisturizer buildup.

• Cons: In dry climates, lotions may struggle to keep skin moist for quick healing.

1. Initial Healing (Days 1-10): You will notice the pigment in the skin become less vibrant, swollen, and developing a mild, thin scab over the area that had been tattooed (don’t pick at it). Your skin may ooze exudate for the first 24-48 hours. There may be redness and a feeling of itchiness during this initial stage. The scabs that collect on the skin surface should also fall off, and your skin should have a glossy, thin-looking sheen to it.

2. Deeper Healing (2 weeks to 6 months): Dermis rebuilds to support tattoo pigment. Begins after natural scab shedding, lasting around two months on average.

3. Settling (Lifetime): Skin adapts to pigment, adjusting saturation through cell turnover. Tattoo may appear less focused over time as pigment "bleeds out." Continuous process impacting the tattoo throughout its lifetime.

Absolutely! Make sure to wear loose fitting clothing over the tattoo and keep it clean. Be especially careful if you workout at a gym.  New tattoos are susceptible to infection and contacting your fresh tattoo to sweaty gym equipment used by numerous people presents a definite risk of infection.