AFTERCARE
Click through below to get insight on What to Expect, What to Do, and What Not to Do. Following these practices will set you up to get the best results for your tattoo and your health.
WHAT TO EXPECT
THE PROCESS
The tattooed area will feel hot like a sunburn for the next few days. The tattoo can ooze a clear, plasma-like fluid with traces of color in it for the next 12-24hrs. The tattooed area may be sore for the next several days. The tattoo will start to peel in 2-5 days and will flake off dead skin that is usually the same color as the pigment underneath. You may experience dryness and itching during and after the flaking period. Tattoos on or near joints and feet will swell more than other tattoos and may stay swollen and sore longer. You may experience bruising on tattoos on or near thin skin that is pulled tightly over the bone. These areas consist of shins, wrists, ankles, feet, hands, hipbones, forearms, biceps, joints or the chest plate.
WHAT TO DO
CLEANING
Wash your tattoo often, usually a minimum of 2 times daily until healed(10-14 days). Keep your tattoo moisturized. There are two basic methods: lotion or ointment/coconut oil. Ointment or coconut oil tends to last longer per application. Lotion requires more applications to stay moisturized sufficiently. The advantage of lotion is that it is not as sticky and rubs in more easily than the ointment. I recommend an ointment or salve that contains NO petroleum, such as Vitalitree Tattoo Salve or Alba Unpetroleum.
SECOND SKIN
If a second skin bandage was applied, leave the bandage in place for 5-7 days, unless the barrier has been broken in any way (fluid leaking out, edges peeling up to expose tattoo). Once the second skin bandage is removed it should be mostly, if not fully healed, allowing you to skip through most of the itchy phase of healing. If the tattoo is not fully healed when the second skin is removed, proceed to follow normal aftercare instructions listed below.
CARE
Leave bandage on for a minimum of 2 hours, and a maximum of 24 hours. The bandage should be left on if you work later the day of your tattoo. If you were tattooed late in the evening, go ahead and sleep with it on. If you go to bed without the bandage, sleep on clean sheets. Avoid using your good sheets, as any oozing/seepage may stain them. When you remove the bandage be sure to wash your hands before you clean your tattoo. Wash using the palm of your hand or your fingertips, liquid soap (Dial or Dr. Bronner’s) and warm water. Wash the tattoo completely until all blood and plasma residue are gone. Plasma residue may be slimy or crispy after it dries.
ENVIRONMENT
Use a 30 SPF or greater sun block on your tattoo every time it is exposed to the sun (after it is healed).
WHAT NOT TO DO
CLEANING
Never scrub a fresh tattoo with rags, towels, loofahs or other abrasive surfaces. Do not clean your tattoo with bar soap. Bar soap collects bacteria. Showers are okay and recommended but avoid getting shampoo or conditioner on the tattoo until it is healed. Do not shave over a fresh tattoo until the skin is completely smooth. Do not apply anything to your healing tattoo that isn't listed in these care instructions; unless otherwise directed to you.
CARE
The only reason you should re-bandage your tattoo is overnight while you are sleeping, and only while you are sleeping. Otherwise do NOT re-bandage your tattoo. Tattoos need to breathe to heal properly. It is very important that you don't pick at any scabs that may form on your tattoo. If pulled off, it can remove the pigment underneath. Never apply Vaseline to your tattoo.
ENVIRONMENT
Do not let the tattoo stay in direct sunlight for a minimum of 2 weeks. The longer you can avoid direct sunlight, the better; as it gives your body time to regenerate the layers of damaged skin that peeled during healing. Never soak a fresh tattoo. No tubs, pools, lakes, rivers or oceans for a minimum of two weeks.
CLOTHING
Do not wear tight seams directly over the fresh tattoo. (Bras, waistbands, straps)