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Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Congratulations on your new tattoo! Below we’ll outline a few different methods you can use to heal your tattoo, but first there are a few guidelines that you should follow no matter the method you use. It is important that you follow these guidelines for the first 4-6 weeks after getting your tattoo.

  1. Keep your tattoo clean. It is imperative that you keep your new tattoo clean. A tattoo is an open wound & should be treated as such. After you take the initial dressing off, you should plan to wash your tattoo 3-4 times per day to prevent infection.
  2. Protect your tattoo from the sun. The sun can be very damaging to a new tattoo. If you are going to be in the sun, keep your tattoo covered & do NOT apply sun screen to the area.
  3. Do not submerge your tattoo in water. Standing bodies of water can contain bacteria which can cause infection. Do not swim under any circumstances with a fresh tattoo. Do not take a bath with a new tattoo.
  4. Do not pick off any scabs or flaky skin. After you get a tattoo, usually within the first week or two, you can develop itchy scabs and/or flaky skin. Peeling off these scabs can delay the healing process & cause your tattoo to fade prematurely.
  5. Keep your skin moisturized. Your skin needs to be moisturized in order to heal properly, however you should make sure you do not overly-moisturize the skin either. Apply any lotion in a very thin, even, layer to your tattoo.
  6. Do not wear tight clothing. Your tattoo needs to be able to “breathe” to heal its best. Wear loose clothing as much as possible & avoid situations which might cause you to sweat excessively 

Initial Healing Phase

Tagaderm / Saniderm

  • Leave the film on your tattoo until it starts to peel off on its own (3 days – 1 week)
  • If the film pops or leaks fluid, remove it immediately. It is normal for the film to fill with fluid.
  • If you notice a reaction around the edges of the film, remove it immediately & contact your tattoo artist.
  • In order to remove the film, you can use hot water to make it a little easier. The film may be pretty hard to get off, this is normal.
  • Ensure all adhesive is washed off once the film is removed.

Plastic Wrap / Gauze

  • Do not keep gauze or plastic wrap on your tattoo for longer than directed by your tattoo artist (usually between 3 hours & 24 hours)
  • Replace plastic wrap or gauze & wash your tattoo often (3-4 times daily)
  • If you notice a reaction to the plastic wrap or gauze, remove it immediately.
  • If you are going to be in the sun & sweating, it is better to let your tattoo breathe as long as it isn’t in direct sun light

Washing Your Tatttoo

Washing your tattoo is the most important part of the process. Washing can help reduce healing time, decrease chances of infection, and keep your tattoo looking its best. The following guidelines will help you keep your tattoo clean while reducing the chance of an alergic reaction or infection.

 

  • Use an unscented anti-bacterial soap to wash your tattoo
  • Wash your tattoo using warm water
  • After you wash your tattoo, pat dry with a clean towel (paper towels can leave small fibers behind)
  • Let your tattoo dry completely before applying moisturizer

The Healing Process

Day 1

  • At this stage your tattoo is very fresh, it may have a lot of redness & pain (similar to a sun burn)
  • You may notice your tattoo oozing blood, plasma, and extra ink. This is completely normal
  • If using plastic wrap or gauze, you should start the routine of cleaning & moisturizing your tattoo immediately

 

Days 3 – 5

  • At this point you should have removed a 2nd skin if you have one & stopped using any plastic wrap or gauze
  • You may start to notice your tattoo is a little cloudy, this is part of the healing process
  • Your tattoo may form scabs by this point, ensure you do not pull these off while applying lotion
  • If you were tattooed directly on a muscle you may begin to notice soreness, this is completely normal & will go away as you heal.

 

Days 6 -14

  • By this point any scabs you have will start to flake off, do not pull these off.
  • Your skin may begin to be very itchy. Resist the urge to itch! You can apply lotion to relieve some of the itchiness.
  • If you notice any redness still at this stage you should talk to your artist to ensure you do not have an infection.

 

Days 21 +

  • At this point your scabs should have mostly fallen off, any thicker scabs may stick around for longer, do not pull them off.
  • You may notice your skin peeling as it heals (similar to a sun burn) – this is totally normal
  • Your skin may still be prone to dryness, continue moisturizing until your skin is back to normal.
  • Keep in mind, it may take up to 3 months for your skin to heal completely internally
  • Even after your tattoo is completely healed do your best to keep it out of the sun to avoid fading

What if something goes wrong?

If anything goes wrong with your tattoo it is always best to reach out to your artist first. If you are experiencing infection related to your tattoo please seek medical attention immediately.