Tattoo Aftercare

---

Now that your new tattoo is complete it’s important you care for it properly in order to assist with the healing process and keep your tattoo looking amazing.  I know you want to protect your investment seeing as you’ll be wearing it for your lifetime. 

• Unscented Bar Soap (Dove,Dial)
• Unscented Lotion (Any Brand) or Organic Tattoo Aftercare (Hustle Butter)

I do not recommend any petroleum based products for tattoo aftercare. I do not recommend Aquaphor. Make sure any products you purchase say “Unscented” on the label. 

1. If your tattoo was wrapped in seran wrap, remove the wrap within 1-2 hours after the tattoo was completed. 
2. Wash your tattoo with unscented bar soap. Use your hand, not a towel to wash the fresh tattoo.  If your tattoo has plasma on it, use a little pressure when washing to clean as much off as possible. The first wash is the most important. 
3. Allow your tattoo to air dry, or gently pat your tattoo with a clean paper towel to dry it.
4. Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion or organic tattoo aftercare. Rub the moisturizer into the tattoo.  
5. Repeat steps 2-4 every morning and night for 7 days. 

Don’ts:

• Refrain from scratching your tattoo when it gets itchy. 
• Don’t pick any parts of the peeling skin off of your new tattoo. This can cause permanent scaring. 
• Don‘t swim in a swimming pool, hot tub or the ocean until your tattoo is completely finished peeling naturally. Also don’t soak your tattoo in the bathtub. 
• Don‘t wrap your tattoo in any seran wrap, gauze or bandages. This can damage your tattoo. 
• Don’t expose your new tattoo to prolonged sun rays. Sunburn is very harmful for a new tattoo.
• Don’t use any products that are petroleum based, scented or chemical sunscreen until your tattoo is completely healed. 
• Don’t over-wash or moisturize your new tattoo, it can become irritated. 
• Don’t touch your tattoo with dirty hands. 

Do

• Let your tattoo peel naturally. If skin comes off when applying moisturizer normally that’s OK. 
• Use loose fitting clothing to keep your tattoo covered from outside elements. 
• Shower normally, use your normal body wash on the rest of your body and not on the tattoo during healing. Run off is not a concern.
• Follow recommended aftercare and cleaning instructions. 
• Wash your hands before cleaning your new tattoo. 

1. First your tattoo will be swollen, hot to the touch and red. Your tattoo will be an open wound for approx. 24-48 hours. This is when you want to do your best to make sure your tattoo doesn’t come into contact with bacteria. 
2. Your tattoo will start to dry up and the skin may feel a little tighter than it did originally. 
3. Your tattoo will become itchy (remember don’t scratch it) 
4. It will begin to peel. The peel can look different depending on the type of tattoo you got. Normal peeling can look like clear skin peeling or like pieces of the tattoo are flaking off a little at a time. This is normal. 
5. When the tattoo starts to peel it may appear lighter than it did originally. This is normal.
6. After peeling the tattoo will look shiny or waxy. This is the last phase of healing.
7. Your tattoo will darken again.

The amount of time your tattoo takes to heal can depend on a lot of different factors. Small tattoos tend to heal faster than large ones.  Your immune system controls the speed in which your tattoo will heal. Most tattoos take between 1-3 weeks to heal.  If you get a touch up on your tattoo you should restart the aftercare process. 

While uncommon, it is possible for your new tattoo to become infected. Signs of infection include; redness, swelling and hot to the touch 72 hours after the tattoo was completed, pus or discharge that is not normal plasma, or fever. If you think you may have an infection please contact me asap so I can look at your tattoo. 

 If you had a second skin product applied after your tattoo your aftercare will be slightly different than otherwise.  Second skin can be a great way to protect your new tattoo if you aren’t going straight home or if you fear your work/life may expose your new tattoo to potential bio-hazards. You should not use second skin products if you have allergy to band-aid products. 

• If second skin was applied to the tattoo by the artist, you can leave this on for up to (3) days after your tattoo was completed. 
• Your second skin will most likely fill with plasma and/or ink, it‘s normal for  there to be fluid inside the bandage. It is called an ink sack and it’s typical.
• If your second skin gets compromised, meaning if the barrier gets broken in any way, it is important to remove it before the 3 day mark. This can happen if the edge of the bandage peels, and you could touch the tattoo with your finger, or if the bandage had a bubble in it and the bubble got popped. 
• If you need to wear second skin for the duration of healing an initial piece will be applied right after the tattoo and a second piece will need to be applied at the 24 hour mark. This second piece needs to be applied to a clean tattoo, completely free of any soaps or moisturizer. The second piece can be worn for up to (7) days. 

If you were provided second skin after your tattoo your recommended aftercare is as follows:

1. Leave your bandage on for up to (3) days. Remove it if the bandage gets compromised.
2. Remove your second skin in the shower. The humidity will help the adhesive separate from the tattoo. It can help to peel from the top down or from any edge that is already loose. 
3. Wash your tattoo with unscented bar soap when you remove the bandage. Make sure you use a little bit of pressure with your hand to clean as much left over adhesive as possible from the skin surface. Do not use a rag. 
4. Let your tattoo air dry after washing, or pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. 
5. Apply unscented lotion or organic aftercare to the surface of your tattoo. 
6. Repeat steps 3-5 every morning and night for (4) days.  Normal tattoo aftercare is a (7) day process, if your bandage fails before the 3 day mark you should follow aftercare procedure for a total of 1 week minus the days you wore the second skin.  

Remember your artist is on your team. I want your new tattoo to heal as well as possible.  if you have any questions of concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly for guidance. A tattoo is an open wound and aftercare is extremely important to keep your body and your tattoo safe from harm. 

If your tattoo didn’t heal as expected and you followed the recommended aftercare procedure, don’t sweat it. I’m proud to offer (1) free touch up on all of my work, with the exception of finger tattoos.  Valid within the first year from the date you got your new tattoo. 

When your tattoo is 100% healed, if anything isn’t to your liking please reach out to me and schedule your free touch up.