Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Please keep us updated on your healing process and contact us with any questions, problems or concerns that arise during the healing process.

You may leave your session with one of two types of dressings chosen by your artist: plastic wrap or skin-breathable, adhesive-film bandages. Please let your artist know if you have a sensitivity to medical adhesives.

Plastic-wrap dressing: A traditional, loose wrapping of your tattoo in plastic wrap, tape or any gauze, is meant to provide a very temporary barrier for your tattoo. Plastic wrap isn't breathable and will suffocate your tattoo if left on for too long. 

Leave plastic wrap bandages on for two hours after the session, no more. 

Unwrap your tattoo, discard the bandage and clean your tattoo as described below. Do not replace your bandage or apply a new one.

Adhesive film  bandage: New, adhesive film bandages provide a breathable barrier protecting your tattoo from particulates and splashes and can be worn for up to five days. You can replace this type of bandage after 24 hours with a second adhesive film bandage if fluid buildup (which is normal) is causing problems.

Otherwise leave the first bandages on for three to five days. If replaced after 24 hours, leave the second bandage on for another three to four days. Do not leave either bandage on for more than five days.

When you remove an adhesive film bandage, clean and maintain the tattoo as described below.

WARNING: allergic and non allergic reactions to medical adhesives

Allergic and non allergic reactions to medical adhesives may occur with medical tape or adhesive film bandages. The skin around your tattoo may become itchy, cracked, blistered, or hived under the bandage, near the tattoo. Reactions typically do not occur immediately upon contact but days, hours or even minutes later is possible. Some reactions involve breathing problems. If reactions occur, immediately remove the bandage. Wash the tattoo as described below, taking care to remove all residual adhesive. You may also want to  contact your primary medical provider but definitely do so if symptoms worsen or do not improve after removal.

Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo.

Wet your hands with clean, running water.

Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces of your hands and wrists.

Lather and rub your hands together briskly and thoroughly to work up a lather. Make sure to scrub all surfaces of your hands, fingertips, fingernails, and wrists, working the bubbles over all surfaces.

Use one hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the fingers. Do the same with the other hand.

Rub your palms together and clean in between your fingers.

Clean the back of your fingers by rubbing them into your palm.

Repeat for both hands.

Grip the fingers of each hand together with the backs of your fingers against the palms of your other hand. Scrub your fingertips and the back of your fingers against the palms of each hand.

Grip around the thumbs of each hand to rub all around them with lather and then finish by doing the same with each wrist.

Rinse if the soap from your hands and wrists under water. 

Dry your hands and wrists with a clean towel, or let them air-dry.

Use a clean towel to turn off the faucet.

The process should take about 26 seconds.

Wash your hands.

Use unscented, antibacterial soap (gold dial bar soap) and water to work up a lather.

Clean your wound by gently rubbing the lather with your fingertips in a circular motion across the surface of the tattoo and surrounding skin until the crusty, dried fluids have been lifted from your skin and the tattoo.

Rinse your tattoo under running water, rubbing your fingertips in a circular motion over the skin and tattoo until all the "sliminess" is removed and rinsed away.

Clean your tattoo at least once or twice a day for three days.

Let your tattoo air dry for 45 minutes before applying any ointment.

WARNING: Do not submerge your tattoo in water; not in a bath, not a pool or natural bodies of water. Your wound is permeable for the first three weeks after tattooing which means fluids can easily transfer bacteria into you're body through the wound and cause a dangerous, even deadly, skin infection. You can continue to bathe as normal and clean your tattoo regularly, as described above, but do not submerge your tattoo in water or expose it to so much water your wound has a chance to become saturated and soggy.

Apply the thinnest amount of Aquaphor possible to the tattoo to keep the layer breathable over the wound. 

Ask your artist for a sample packet of Aquaphor if you are unfamiliar with the product.

Reapply two to three times a day for a week and a half. 

If there is no cracking in the skin a week and a half from your session, you are ready to moisturize your tattoo with your preferred products but your tattoo will not be fully healed for at least another week and a half. 

If irritation occurs, revert to Aquaphor.

WARNING: Do not over apply ointment or rebandage the wound. Do not keep the tattoo "wet" with ointment. Over application of oil-based products risks suffocation of the wound, preventing the initial healing phases of the wound. Arresting healing phases increases the risks of physical damage and bacterial infection and scarring. Our goal with using ointment is to moisturize the wound to assist healing and to assure the surface does not crack and expose your internal systems to dangerous bacteria or cause increased scarring.

Protect your fresh tattoo from undue exposure to sunlight, dust (or any other particulates), any splashing liquids or unclean surfaces. If your activities expose you to these infection risks, use clothing to protect your wound. Do not apply any new bandage without first consulting your artist.

If you believe your tattoo is infected, contact your primary care provider immediately and please keep us updated. If you can feel intense heat radiating from your tattoo when holding your hand half an inch from the surface, seek urgent medical attention.

Normal healing signs vs. issues that require attention.

Normal healing:

Mild redness and swelling around the tattoo.

Slight tenderness or discomfort, especially during the first few days.

Formation of a thin, protective scab or crust on the tattoo.

Itchiness as hair grows back

Potential Issues that Require Attention:

Excessive redness, heat, or swelling that worsens over time.

Intense and persistent pain beyond the initial discomfort.

Unusual discharge, such as pus or excessive bleeding.

Signs of an allergic reaction, like itching, blistering, or hives.

Foul odor or unusual coloration around the tattoo.

Again, please keep us updated on your healing process and contact us with any questions, problems or concerns that arise during the healing process.