Tattoo Aftercare
The Dos and Don'ts to taking care of your new tattoo
Listed below is everything you will need to know about how to take care of your new tattoo and our touch up policy.
DO:
Leave Tegaderm on for a minimum of 24 hours or a maximum up to 7 days.
When you remove the Tegaderm, wash with antibacterial, unscented, liquid pump soap (Such as Dial). Wash the tattoo with this soap and only this soap every day 2-3 times a day for the next 3-4 weeks. Wash and rinse the tattoo thoroughly. Let air dry for 15-30 minutes.
For the first 2-3 days use a SMALL amount of either A+D or Aquaphor 2-3 times a day. Less is more when it comes to ointment. An over application of ointment can and will pull ink from the tattoo and cause fading.
At the end of the 2-3 days of ointment switch to an unscented lotion such Curel, Jergens or Cocoa Butter. (These are examples of well known brands, any unscented, dry skin formula lotion will do).
Apply small amounts whenever the tattoo feels dry for the rest of the healing period. (3-5 weeks)
DON'T:
Do not soak your tattoo for extended periods of time. Things like hot tubs, swimming pools, and baths. Quick showers are okay, but drenching the tattoo will damage it. Bodies of water are breeding grounds for bacteria and dirt. Lakes are filled with fish pee and algae. Pools are filled with chlorine. Hot baths are filled with sweat and dirt. All of these put your tattoo at a high risk for infection. It can become gooey and gummy, making it harder for your body to heal. Treat it like a wound.
Do not sunburn your tattoo. In the first two weeks of the tattoo healing, it's still too tender to safely apply sunscreen. It's best to avoid as much sun exposure as possible. Sun damage can cause issues with healing as well as fade the tattoo.
Do not wear tight clothing against your tattoo. Remember, your tattoo is still a fresh wound. Tight clothes can push dirt and bacteria into the tattoo putting it at a higher risk of infection. Tight clothing can also cause areas of the tattoo to fade out while it is still in its healing stage.
wear tight clothing against your tattoo. your tattoo is still a fresh wound and tight clothes can push fuzzies, dirt, and bacteria into the tattoo putting it at a higher risk of infection, tight clothing can also cause areas of the tattoo to fade out while it is still in its healing stage.
What to expect when healing:
When using the Tegaderm it will collect and trap a pooling of liquid in the wrap forming what looks like an "Ink sack". The size of the sack will vary with the intensity of the tattoo. We may need to reapply Tegaderm after the first 24 hours if the sack is too large. This liquid bubble is completely normal. The liquid is a mix of your plasma from the wound as well as the excess ink from your tattoo. The Tegaderm acts as an artificial blister, it allows the skin to use the enzymes in the plasma to heal underneath.
Remove the Tegaderm in a warm shower with soap. The wrap can be messy, and your tattoo will need to be immediately cleaned once it's removed.
Tattoos are a trauma to the body and some areas are more sensitive to tattooing than others. If a tattoo is swollen or even bruised within 24 hours of the tattoo this is normal. This is most common for tattoos on the inner bicep. You can use ice and ibuprofen to relieve the swelling of the tattoo.
Within a couple days of removing the wrap the tattoo will begin to flake, peel, and on rare occasions may scab. This is completely normal. Do not pick or scratch at the tattoo despite how itchy it will become. This is the body shedding the dead tissue on top of the tattoo. If you pick or scratch at it, you are going to pull chunks of your tattoo out and it will leave faded looking spots.
Towards the end of the healing process the tattoo will have a shiny almost milky sheen on top of the design. This is the end phase of healing and will pass, usually in 1 to 2 weeks.
Touchups:
All this being said, we are all human and things happen. Touchups are covered in the cost of your tattoo for the first 6 months of having the tattoo. Reach out to your artist and we will happily get you on the schedule to fix it up.