Aftercare

Keep the bandage on for a bit less than 24 hours. After that, gently remove the bandage. To help with the removal, wet the bandage in the shower.

Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and gently wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap. Just a light rub with your hands to remove any blood, Vaseline, or ink. Do not let the shower spray directly on your tattoo. Spray an area close to the tattoo to gently rinse it.  When you are done in the shower, use clean paper towel and gently wipe your tattoo to dry it. Regular towels can carry bacteria and cause an infection. Let your tattoo air-dry for 5-10 minutes and then apply a plain, unscented, water-based moisturizer. Only use a small amount of moisturizer. Just enough to soak in as you still want oxygen to get to your tattoo to help it heal. Wash and moisturizer your tattoo 2-3 times a day. You might need to apply a little more moisturizer throughout the day if your tattoo is dry, or feels like it is stretching, pulling, or cracking. 

Your tattoo should be healed in approximately 2 weeks. During this time, it should flake or lightly scab. Do not pick at your tattoo as that will cause ink to be pulled from it. After the flaking, your tattoo will then have a dull, waxy appearance to it. Continue lightly moisturizing your tattoo. While your tattoo is healing it may get itchy. Do not scratch your tattoo. Give it a gentle slap to help relieve the itching.

Do not touch your tattoo without washing your hands with antibacterial soap. The only time you should touch your tattoo is when you are cleaning and moisturizing it. Do not use scented soaps or moisturizers. 

Avoid direct contact with animals. Fur and dander from animals will cause infections. 

Make sure your bedding is clean when you sleep without the bandage. If possible, wear something to bed that will cover your tattoo (ie. t-shirt or sweatpants). Your sheets will not stay with you throughout the night if they get stuck to your fresh tattoo. As you move during the night and peel the sheets from your tattoo, ink will be pulled out. If the tattoo gets stuck to a piece of clothing, gently pour water on the stuck area to help it release.

Stay out of lakes, saunas, hot tubs, bath tubs etc. for 2 weeks while your tattoo is healing. Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight for a month. Your skin will be more susceptible to burning as it is healing and will damage your tattoo. Use a minimum of SPF 30 when outside if the tattoo is exposed.

Do not wear tight clothing on your tattoo while it is healing. Avoid wearing blue denim on your tattoo while it is healing.

If your tattoo becomes red, irritated, sore, or swollen, it may have a mild infection. Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide on it. If it bubbles, you have a mild infection. Let it bubble for a few seconds and then wash it off with antibacterial soap. If the peroxide runs off like water, you do not have an infection but still wash if off with antibacterial soap. Never leave peroxide on your fresh tattoo as it will inhibit the formation of new skin cells and add a couple of days healing to your tattoo. Always wash off peroxide with antibacterial soap, rinse and then wipe dry and moisturize. Continue doing this twice a day for 2 days.

Please call if you have any questions.