Aftercare
Whether it's your first tattoo or you just need a refresher, I've got you covered.
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What you'll need
You can find the supplies you'll need to to ensure a good heal listed below.
I do not provide all materials necessary for your healing process, but you can pick most of them up at your local pharmacy
Soap
Antibacterial hand soap
Dial and Dove recommended
Unscented
MUST say anti-bacterial on the packaging
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Adhesive Bandage (optional)
You will decide if you would like to use an adhesive bandage for the first few days of the heal. DO NOT use if you have allergies or sensitivies to adhesives
Lotion
Unscented Lotion
NO added fragrances
Best to find a dermatologist recommended brand
Lubriderm, Cetaphil or Aveeno
The First
24 Hours
After you first get your tattoo, I will apply a non-adhesive bandage to the area or apply a piece of adhesive bandage.
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You will want to leave the non-adhesive bandage on for 1-2 hours to ensure cleanliness and sterilization.
After you take it off, give the tattoo its first wash with water and unscented anti-bacterial soap. Opt for a foaming hand soap with a pump applicator. Some good brands are Dial and Dove, just make sure that the label specifically says anti-bacterial. This will help make sure that your tattoo stays infection-free and clean.
You will want to allow the tattoo to air out and breathe, so leave uncovered for the remainder of the day, being cautious of your surroundings. If you think you have contaminated the tattoo, wash immediately.
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Your tattoo will purge for the first 24 hours, meaning residual blood, plasma and ink will leak from the wound created by the tattoo. Wash whenever you feel necessary to keep it clean, and wear clothing you do not care about getting dirty.
Wear loose clothing on the tattooed area, and try to sleep in a position that does not irritate your new tattoo.
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Do not begin using the adhesive bandage or lotion until Day 2. (Unless bandage is already applied).
As body purges residual ink and plasma the first night of getting a new tattoo, using these methods early may trap these liquids on the surface of the tattoo. It is best just to air it out and begin fresh tomorrow.
The Healing Process
Adhesive Bandage Method
This method is my most recommended, as it will act as a barrier to the outside world and prevent many common healing mistakes and contaminants.
Do NOT use if you have an adhesive allergy. Around 40% of people have sensitivities or allergies to adhesives. If you have a mild sensitivity to adhesives, be very cautious and make sure to remove the bandage and switch to using lotion if feeling sore, or if itchiness or redness occurs around the bandage.
On day 2 of your heal, apply an adhesive bandage if not already applied at the shop. I will refrain from placing the bandage on your tattoo right away if I think your tattoo will produce a fair amount of purging within the first 24 hours.
I will provide you with an adhesive bandage cut to fit the size of your tattoo.
If you prefer a different brand (I usually use Recovery Derm or Dynarex) or have some yourself that has worked well for you in the past, you are welcome to use that instead. I would recommend either Tegaderm or Saniderm if not using the brands I provide.
You will want to pick up some Isopropyl alcohol or alcohol prep pads, and an unscented lotion.
How to apply a bandage at home:
Wash your tattoo with water and unscented anti-bacterial soap, and either wait for it to air-dry or pat dry with a paper towel.
Sanitize the area further by wiping the tattoo down with Isopropyl alcohol or an alcohol prep pad. This will also completely dry out the surrounding skin, which will make the bandage adhere to the skin easier.
Depending on the brand of bandage chosen, there will be a different way of applying it. I will show you how to use the brand of bandage I use in person at your appointment.
If you are able, it is smart to do a patch test beforehand to see if you have any sensitivity to those products.
We can test out a small strip of the bandage I use at the shop during your appointment if you would like.
Do the patch test on a piece of skin that is not getting tattooed and wait at least an hour to see how the adhesive affects your skin that is tattooed and the skin around it.
If everything looks good, proceed to apply the bandage.
If you forgot my instructions, you can find lots of resources on Youtube by searching the specific brand and 'application'.
Most bandages have two layers, a paper backing and an adhesive film. You will remove the paper backing first, place the adhesive side on the tattoo, and peel off any other plastic pieces.
Most bandages will have symbols/ print on the plastic layer to indicate what needs removed, and orange arrows indicating where to pull that layer off.
I recommend having at least an inch of a border between the edge of the bandage and your tattoo, in case the bandage peels up at the sides or there is heavy purging in the bandage. If you require a couple bandages to layer on top of each other to fully cover your tattoo, make sure there is an inch overlap. Apply the bottom layers completely first and add more as necessary.
You will often notice excess ink and plasma pool up in the bandage, affectionately referred to as an 'ink sack'.
This is the body purging the fluids not necessary to the heal, and may look gross but is completely harmless.
It is usually able to stay under the bandage without leaking, but if it starts to leak out before the heal is over, you can either remove the bandage and reapply a new one, or switch to the lotion method for the remainder of the time. Do not leave the bandage on if it is leaking.
If things can get out, things can get in.
You will keep the bandage on for 3-5 days before removing it.
The bandage is water-resistant, but not waterproof. It is perfectly fine to go about your life, shower, and wash your hands. Do not fully submerge your tattoo, so no swimming or baths. Also avoid activities that allow for sweat buildup underneath the bandage, like heavy workouts or cardio, and saunas. Sweat underneath the bandage may leave you more susceptible to an infection.
You should intuitively know when it is ready to be taken off, due to itchiness under the bandage or the sides peeling up excessively.
When it is time to take it off, do so under a warm shower.
Let the water hit the bandage, and peel upwards from the top of the bandage gently, letting water get in between the bandage and your skin.
This helps with the pain of removing it and loosens the adhesive grip on the skin.
Once it is off, give it a wash with water and unscented anti-bacterial soap. Wash gently, but thoroughly to remove all reside left from the bandage on the surface of the skin.
After the bandage is removed, as long as it is at the scabbing/ itching/ peeling stage, use an unscented lotion such as Lubriderm, Cetaphil or Aveeno on it until it is fully healed. You will want to ensure that it has no fragrances added, is water based, and dermatologist recommended. If the tattoo appears to still be an open wound, use lotion sparingly until it has closed.
You can use as much lotion as you feel is necessary once the tattoo has dried out.
Do not pick at any scabs or scratch at your tattoo. Lotion should relieve excessive itchiness.
After two- three weeks has passed, you will be free to swim, take baths, and do whatever you wish again. Try to be mindful of the tattoo until this point.
Lotion Method
The lotion method is another popular method of healing and is recommended if you have sensitivity or allergies to adhesive.
I am no longer recommending Aquaphor due to it being a petroleum based product, which has a tendency to sit on top of the skin. This can lead to over-moisture of a tattoo, and leave clients more suceptible to infection if not using properly.
You will want to wash your tattoo with unscented antibacterial soap and water 2 times a day for the first 3-5 days. I recommend washing once in the morning and once at night.
Make sure your hands are clean whenever washing your tattoo.
You can either let it air dry or pat dry with a paper towel. Never use reusable hand/ body towels to dry the tattoo. All products used on your tattoo need to be single use for sanitary reasons.
You will need an unscented lotion like Lubriderm, Cetaphil, or Aveeno. These are great options because they are fragrance free, water based, and dermatologist recommended.
When applying lotion, make sure your hands are clean.Apply immediately after washing and drying the tattoo.
Use a very thin layer of lotion for the first part of the heal. It is better to feel it and not see it, so you do not over moisturize.
After you continue this for 3-5 days, the tattoo will feel very dry and itchy.
It may appear scab-like at this time.
Do not peel or pick at any scabs or scratch your tattoo.
This is an indication that you are ready for the final stage of the tattoo, which is to use more lotion and wash once a day.
Apply an unscented lotion to the area whenever you feel like the tattoo is dry. Blend in with the skin around it to properly moisturize the tattoo.
After the two to three week period is over, you may resume daily life and swim and bathe again. Until this time, be mindful of your new tattoo.
After the Initial Heal
Most tattoos take 2-4 weeks to fully heal. Everyone heals differently, at different timelines. If your tattoo takes a bit longer to heal. Usually a small linework tattoo will heal faster than a full color piece, and tattoos done on areas of the body that are used frequently such as hands and fingers may take longer to heal as well.
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You will know your tattoo is completely done healing when it is the same texture and has the same shine as the rest of the skin around it.
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After the tattoo is fully healed, if you notice any lines that did not fully saturate, or color that has become patchy, reach out to me and ask for a touch up. All touch up sessions are free within the first year of getting your tattoo to ensure a good long-term tattoo. Just let me know if you feel like you need one, and I will make sure you love your tattoo just as much as when you first got it.
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Tattoos may require touched up after the year mark due to sun exposure, aging of the skin, etc. These touch-up sessions will just cost you a set-up fee (priced according to how much work and materials are used to touch it up).
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Make sure to take good care of your skin, use sunscreen or keep your tattoos out of the sun as much as possible, and moisturize and exfoliate for the best long-term outcome. The better you take care of your skin, the better the tattoo will age.