Professional Tips for Tattoo After Care

Tattoo After Care Instructions

• Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo!
• When you get home: Remove bandage within 1 - 2 hours after getting your tattoo. Do not re-bandage. Your tattoo needs to breathe, just like an open wound.
• Wash your tattoo with an anti-bacterial liquid soap. Be gentle, do not use a washcloth or anything that will exfoliate your tattoo. Only use your hands.
• Gently pat your tattoo dry with a paper towel. Do not rub, or use a fabric with a rough surface.
• The first 3-4 days: Rub a small amount of lotion/ointment on your tattoo. You may use an unscented lotion. Always use clean hands and do not place your fingers back into the ointment after touching your tattoo. Make sure to rub the ointment in so that it is not shiny, or greasy– you want the thinnest amount possible. Pat off any excess ointment with a clean paper towel. Do NOT use Vaseline, petroleum, Neosporin. Wash, dry, and apply lotion/ointment 1-2 times daily, as needed.
• On the first night, you may want to wrap your tattoo in saran wrap to prevent sticking to your bedding. Do not use any cloth bandages or pads, as the fibres of this material can adhere to your open tattoo and hinder the healing process.
• Wear clean, soft clothing over your tattoo for the first 2 weeks– nothing abrasive or irritating. For a foot tattoo: go barefoot as much as possible. If you must wear shoes, first wrap your clean tattoo in saran wrap, then cover with a clean cotton sock before putting on your shoe. Avoid sandals or flip-flops for this period to prevent chafing and damage to the tattoo.
• After day 3 or 4: On the 3rd or 4th day your tattoo will begin to peel. This is normal! Do not pick at the skin. Begin using a mild, white, unscented lotion, free of dyes or Perfumes.
• Use lotion for minimum 2 weeks, 1-2 times daily.

Things To Avoid After A New Tattoo

• Do not pick, scratch, peel, slap, rub or irritate your tattoo.
• You can shower, but you may not soak your tattoo for 2 weeks. No swimming, soaking, or hot tub.
• You may not expose your tattoo to the sun for at least 3 weeks, after that you must use sunblock.
• Do not wear abrasive materials, jewelry, or shoes that rub against your tattoo.
• Do not let anyone touch your tattoo unless they wash their hands.
• Beware of gym equipment; wash it well before using it.

Things To Help Your Tattoo

• Ice your tattoo to reduce swelling.
• Elevate your tattoo, to reduce swelling.
• Take short showers.

Tattoo AfterCare Instructions With Second Skin

• Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo!
• Always follow the artist instructions, your second skin bandage should stay on for 3-5 days. You may notice an ink-sack of plasma and ink forming underneath the bandage, that perfectly normal, don’t try and drain it as its part of the healing process
• Best thing to do is leave the bandage on for the recommended time but if the bandage starts peeling on the edges and any part of the tattoo is exposed then you will take the bandage off early and start the aftercare instructions below
• When removing your bandage its best to do it slowly and under clean running water to help release the adhesive Once you remove the second skin give your tattoo a rinse with water, and pat dry.
(you may have some left over adhesive on the surround area, its important not to scrub it off as it may irritate the tattoo)
• For the next week lotion your tattoo 1-2 times a day using a very thin layer until the tattoo is fully healed

Things To Avoid

• Do not pick, scratch, peel, slap, rub or irritate your tattoo.
• You can shower, but you may not soak your tattoo for 2 weeks. No swimming, soaking, or hot tub.
• You may not expose your tattoo to the sun for at least 3 weeks, after that you must use sunblock.
• Do not wear abrasive materials, jewelry, or shoes that rub against your tattoo.
• Do not let anyone touch your tattoo unless they wash their hands.
• Beware of gym equipment; wash it well before using it.

Things To Help Your Tattoo

• Ice your tattoo to reduce swelling.
• Elevate your tattoo, to reduce swelling.
• Take short showers.