Tattoo Aftercare
Saniderm/Tegaderm Healing
Remove the original bandage 24 hours after application. This will be easiest to do in the shower, lifting around the edges to help pull it off the skin. Sometimes massaging the edges helps. Be gentle!
Wash the tattoo with unscented antibacterial soap and pat dry with a clean paper towel. Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo. Allow it to air dry for a few minutes before applying the new bandage.
When preparing the new bandage, make sure it is a little bigger than the tattoo so it has room to swell/bleed. Cutting the corners round will help keep them from lifting.
Leave the new bandage on for 3 to 5 days. You can get it wet, but don't submerge it in water. Definitely no sun, beach, or pool.
It's normal for the bandage to fill with blood and/or lymph. You don't need to change the bandage unless fluid leaks out or the edges lift and expose the tattoo.
After the 3 to 5 days, remove your second bandage in the shower. Wash and dry your tattoo. The tattoo will immediately get very dry and might even start peeling a bit. Apply unscented lotion to the tattoo.
Continue to wash your tattoo 2-3 times daily for the next week, applying lotion after washing. Don't scratch or pick at any parts that may be scabbing/flaking. It's normal for it to be itchy as well. It may take up to a month or longer for your skin to fully heal and stop being shiny.
Conventional Bandage Healing
After washing your hands, remove the bandage when you get home and throw it away. Wash your tattoo with unscented antibacterial soap until it no longer feels slimy, then pat dry with a clean paper towel. After air drying, you can apply a small amount of ointment if desired. Do this 3 to 5 times a day for the next week.
If you choose to use ointments, they should always be applied as thinly as possible or they can cause issues with healing. If the layer of ointment you have applied looks shiny, use a clean paper towel to blot it until it is no longer shiny.
For the first 3 nights, wrap your tattoo after washing it for the last time before bed. Use a clean piece of saran wrap just big enough to cover your tattoo and regular scotch tape. Always remove it and wash your tattoo first thing in the morning.
If you notice your tattoo getting slimy, wash it or gently blot it with a clean paper towel. Always keep it clean and dry. Allowing lymph/blood to dry on your tattoo can cause scabbing, which usually causes colors and lines to heal poorly.
After about 3 to 5 days, your tattoo should start to peel (thinly, like a sunburn) and may become itchy. Once it starts to do this, apply unscented lotion after washing and drying. If you put the lotion on it it burns or feels uncomfortable, wash it off and wait a few days before attempting again.
Do not pick or scratch any part of the tattoo that is peeling. Allow everything to fall off naturally. The lotion will help with discomfort.
Regardless of the type of bandage your artist uses, remember these aftercare rules:
Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
Always keep your tattoo clean and dry.
Do not pick or scratch at your tattoo.
Always pat your tattoo dry rather than wiping or rubbing, as this can have the same effect as picking or scratching.
Do not submerge your tattoo until it is fully healed. This means no pool/hot tub or beach. These things can ruin your tattoo and expose you to infections.
Protect your tattoo from direct sunlight, but do not apply sunscreen until it is fully healed.
In the long run, keeping your tattoo moisturized and protected from the sun will keep it looking its best for as long as possible.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the artist who did your tattoo.
We are always happy to help you through the healing process!