Aftercare Instructions

  • Remove Bandage

    If you did not wear a bandage, skip to Step 2. Dermshield bandages (second skin) can be kept on for 2-5 days, remove immediately if any redness or irritation appears. It’s normal for some blood/plasma bubbles to appear. Do not soak the bandage and no strenuous activities that cause sweat, showers are okay. When ready to remove, under running water with CLEAN hands, slowly pull away from skin, do not rip off. Use antibacterial soap to loosen the adhesive. Do not reseal your tattoo after removing, it needs to breathe.

  • Gently wash

    With clean hands, gently wash the tattoo with a non-scented antibacterial soap under lukewarm water. Pat dry with a paper towel. Never use a washcloth, loufa, sponge, etc. to clean your tattoo, just use your hands. Wash 2-3 times a day for the first few days, decrease the amount you wash as it heals.

  • Moisturize

    After washing, apply a small amount of tattoo aftercare ointment, Aquafor, or lotion, to the area. Tattoo aftercare is recommended for the week, but lotion can work as well. It’s important to not overly moisturize with a thick layer as that can trap bacteria. Apply 2-3 times a day, decrease the amount of times you moisturize as it heals.

  • Keep the Area Clean

    Be mindful around pets, children, working in dirty environments. Your tattoo is an open wound that bacteria can easily get inside and cause infections. Wear loose clothing that covers the tattoo if you will be in bacteria filled environments.

  • No Soaking and No Sun

    No swimming, bathing, excess sweating, or soaking in any body of water. Shower with lukewarm water and do not exfoliate until fully healed. Do not expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight. Sun exposure can lead to affecting the healing process, or infection. SPF can be applied after the tattoo is fully healed.

  • Don’t Pick or Scratch

    Never pick or scratch your new tattoo, especially not when it’s peeling. Scratching can reopen the wound, exposing it to bacteria, and it can cause pigment loss. Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo and always be gentle with it.

Stages of the Healing Process

Tattoos usually heal, on average, in a month. Some heal faster, some heal slower. Aftercare varies from person to person and everybody has a different way of healing their tattoo, it’s up to you to cater to your specific needs.

The first 2-3 days of your new tattoo, you will be slightly sore, red and irritated, and blood and plasma may be leaking a bit. The first few days, your tattoo is still an open wound, so keeping it clean during this time is critical. You’ll need to wash it 2-3 times a day, and apply a tattoo aftercare ointment, preferably one that has healing properties in it. You do not need to wash and moisturize more than just a few times a day, washing too much can dry out your skin, and overly moisturizing can trap bacteria.

At about day 3-4 , you will notice your tattoo is getting dry, peeling, and itchy. These are all normal signs of a properly healing tattoo. Do not pick or scratch, doing so could cause pigment loss, healing improperly, or worse case, infection. Wash and apply lotion 1-2 times daily for about the next 1-2 weeks.

Once the peeling completely goes away, usually at 3-4 weeks, your skin should be at the last stages of the healing process. You can now start applying sunscreen, and you only need to apply lotion 1-2 times a day, and washing in the shower or washing once a day. You want to keep applying lotion and sunscreen indefinitely. You now have a piece of art on your skin, so keeping your skin healthy and moisturized will help your tattoos age better over time.

Signs of Infection

What is an Infection?

An infection occurs when a microorganism- such as bacteria, fungi, or a virus- enters a person’s body and causes harm. The effects of infections occur due to the immune system’s attempt to get rid of the invading organism.

A tattoo is inserting an ink-covered needle into your skin and making an open wound, so there is also a risk of foreign matters or infections entering your body when getting a tattoo.

Signs of an Infection

The most common symptom is a rash, or red bumpy skin around the area of the tattoo, but this can also just be irritation due to sensitive skin.

If these symptoms last more than a week, please consult me and/or a doctor.

  • Fever

  • Waves of heat and cold

  • Abnormal shivering

  • Swelling of the area

  • Pus coming out of the tattoo

  • Red lesions around the area

  • Red streaks from the area leading to your heart

  • Areas of hard, raised tissue

Examples of what a bad infection looks like (not my photos):

Touchups

If you see any faded lines, light shading, or anything that isn’t healing properly with your tattoo, I offer one free touchup within the first 6 months of getting it done.

The tattoo must be a minimum of 3 weeks healed before I can touch it up.

Please remember that your tattoo is a part of your skin and it ages with you, it’s not going to look brand new forever. Over time you will lose a little pigment and ink can slightly spread.

Fresh

Healed with one touchup

(and in different lighting)